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When you're in school, you should be paying attention to your teacher and not browsing social media. However, if you really can't wait to check Facebook while at school, there are a few methods you can try to get around some types of school network restrictions. If your school's security is good enough, these methods won't work.

Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

Using the Facebook Mobile Site

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  1. You may need to sign into the browser with your student credentials before you can proceed.
  2. This is the address for the Facebook mobile site.
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  3. If your school's network only has "facebook.com" blocked, this takes you to the Facebook mobile site.
    • The Facebook mobile site looks different than the regular desktop Facebook site, but it functions the same.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

Using a Different Browser

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  1. This will likely be your computer's default browser. If Facebook is blocked specifically in your current browser, using a different browser may solve the problem.
  2. Some popular browsers include the following:
  3. This is usually a button near the top or middle of the browser's web page. Doing so will cause the browser's setup file to begin downloading to your computer.
    • Depending on your current browser, you may first have to click Save or confirm your choice, or select a download location (e.g., Desktop).
  4. It will be in your computer's default download location (or your specified download location if you selected one).
  5. To do so:
    • Windows - Follow the on-screen prompts. Make sure you opt out of any free programs included in the install (e.g., antivirus or search programs).
    • Mac - Drag the browser's icon into the "Applications" folder shortcut.
  6. Double-click the browser's icon to do so.
  7. Go to https://www.facebook.com/ in your new browser. If your computer's restrictions were only set up in the default browser, you should be able to access Facebook.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

Using Facebook's IP Address

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Windows

  1. This will search your computer for Command Prompt.
  2. You'll see a series of numbers and periods to the right of the "Pinging facebook.com" heading; this is Facebook's IP address.
  3. If the Facebook URL is blocked but the IP address isn't, this will take you to Facebook's page.
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Mac

  1. This searches your computer for the Terminal app.
  2. This is Facebook's IP address.
  3. If the Facebook URL is blocked but the IP address isn't, this will take you to Facebook's page.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

Using USB Tethering on Your Phone

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iPhone

  1. Use the USB charger cable that came with your iPhone.
    • If using your phone's charger isn't an option, you can try using your iPhone's Wi-Fi hotspot instead.
  2. This option is near the top of the Settings page.
    • Not all service providers include a Personal Hotspot. If you don't see this option, your phone doesn't have a hotspot available.
  3. Do this on your computer.
  4. This should take you to Facebook's home page.
    • If Facebook is blocked on your computer specifically, even this method won't work for connecting to Facebook.
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Android

  1. You'll use your Android's charger cable to do so.
    • If using your phone's charger isn't an option, you can try using your Android's Wi-Fi hotspot instead.
  2. This option is beneath the "Wireless & networks" heading.
    • On a Samsung device, tap Connections.
  3. It's near the top of the page.
    • On a Samsung, tap Tethering and Mobile HotSpot.
  4. Do this on your computer.
  5. This should take you to Facebook's home page.
    • If Facebook is blocked on your computer specifically, even this method won't work for connecting to Facebook.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

Using a Proxy Site

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  1. You may have to enter your student credentials before continuing.
  2. Type free online proxies 2017 into your browser's search bar and press Enter. Some reputable proxy services include the following:[1]
    • Anonymouse
    • VPNBook
    • FilterBypass
  3. There will usually be a search bar in the middle of the proxy site's page.
  4. This button will usually be below the search field. Doing so will run the Facebook search through the proxy, which will cause it to avoid your school's network.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

Using a Virtual Private Network

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Windows

  1. Unlike using a proxy site, virtual private networks (VPNs) require you to set up an account in order to access a server's name and address. You will need the VPN's name and address, as well as login credentials, to connect to a VPN.
    • If you want to use your VPN service for longer than a week or so, you'll usually have to pay for it.[2]
  2. It's a tab on the left side of the window.
  3. This option is at the top of the VPN page.
  4. Click the box below the "VPN provider" heading at the top of the page, then click Windows (built-in).
  5. This includes the following:
    • Connection name - Type a name for your VPN connection into the Connection name field.
    • Server name or address - This is where you'll enter your VPN's address.
    • VPN type - Click the box below this heading to select your VPN's connection type. You should receive this information along with the VPN's address when signing up for the VPN.
    • Sign-in info - Depending on your VPN, this section will vary. You'll usually enter your username and password here.
  6. Doing so saves your VPN connection as a network on your PC.
  7. It should now be on the VPN page of the Settings window.
  8. This option is at the bottom of the VPN's name card.
  9. If you didn't select the option to have your VPN save your login credentials while creating it, you'll need to log into your VPN service and click OK to finish connecting to the VPN.
  10. Go to https://www.facebook.com and log in. As long as you're connected to a VPN, you should be able to use Facebook.
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Mac

  1. Unlike using a proxy site, virtual private networks (VPNs) require you to set up an account in order to access a server's name and address. You will need the VPN's name and address, as well as login credentials, to connect to a VPN.
    • If you want to use your VPN service for longer than a week or so, you'll usually have to pay for it.
  2. This option is near the top of the Apple drop-down menu.
  3. It's a purple globe-shaped icon.
  4. This option is in the bottom-left corner of the Network page, just below the list of network names.
  5. Click the box to the right of "Interface:", then click VPN in the drop-down menu.
  6. Click the box to the right of "VPN Type", then select your VPN's connection type (e.g., L2TP over IPSec).
    • The VPN's site should provide this information.
    • MacOS Sierra does not support PPTP connections.
  7. This can be whatever you want to name the network.
  8. It's the blue button in the bottom-right corner of the window.
  9. Enter the following information:
    • Configuration - Make sure this box says "Default".
    • Server Address - Type in your VPN's address here.
    • Account Name - Type in your subscription's account name here.
  10. It's below the Account Name text field.
  11. Check the box to the left of your VPN's User Authentication option (e.g., Password) and then type the answer in.
  12. This section is near the bottom of the window. Most VPNs use the "Shared Secret" option; check this box, then enter your VPN's shared secret phrase.
  13. It's near the bottom of the Authentication Settings window.
  14. It's near the bottom of the window.
  15. This ensures that all sites you visit will use the VPN connection.
  16. This saves your VPN settings and creates your network.
  17. It's below the Authentication Settings option. Doing so will prompt your Mac to connect to the VPN.
  18. Go to https://www.facebook.com and log in. As long as you're connected to a VPN, you should be able to use Facebook.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What if my school uses the secURLy web blocker to block Facebook?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can try an online web proxy, such as go2walk.com.
  • Question
    How do I convince my school to allow Facebook?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    They don’t want you to be distracted, so it will likely be close to impossible to do so.
  • Question
    I have tried everything on Google to unblock Facebook from the school laptops but can't figure it out. Any ideas?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    They may have it locked up so tight that you need to be an administrator to unblock it. Maybe use the time you've spent trying to unblock Facebook and devote it to your school work instead.
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Tips

  • Browsing in Incognito mode won't hide your activity from the school, but it will clear your history when you exit your web browser.
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Warnings

  • Using your phone's data as a hotspot will result in additional fees on your bill if you exceed your monthly data limit.
  • Your network may block any links that are related to proxy servers, regardless of the web address.
  • Your network may be visually monitored by teachers, technicians, and/or administrators.
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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about computer functions, check out our in-depth interview with Yaffet Meshesha.

About This Article

Yaffet Meshesha
Written by:
Computer Specialist
This article was written by Yaffet Meshesha and by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Yaffet Meshesha is a Computer Specialist and the Founder of Techy, a full-service computer pickup, repair, and delivery service. With over eight years of experience, Yaffet specializes in computer repairs and technical support. Techy has been featured on TechCrunch and Time. This article has been viewed 1,230,217 times.
Warning: Difficult task !
Co-authors: 109
Updated: July 21, 2023
Views: 1,230,217
Categories: Class Distractions
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,230,217 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Madison Wetzel

    Madison Wetzel

    Feb 7, 2017

    "What helped me most was when it said that the word "proxy" may be blocked (it was), so I misspelled it..." more
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