You download a program and it usually walks you through connecting.

Some are paid for, some are free. You just connect and it masks your IP.

I used to use ProtonVPN

NordVPN

When you connect to a virtual private network service, it creates an encrypted “tunnel” over the internet. This secures the data traveling between you and your destination — anything from a search engine to an online banking account. This tunnel is created by first authenticating your client with a VPN server. The server then applies an encryption protocol to all data you send and receive.

To ensure each data packet stays secure, a VPN wraps it in an outer packet, which is then encrypted through encapsulation. It keeps the data safe during transfer, and it is the core element of the VPN tunnel. When the data arrives at the server, the outer packet is removed through a decryption process.

But basically, you literally click a button and the program does all the work for you. You can pick the location your IP uses. For example, you can use an IP address for Russia, or Spain, or France.

And then when you browse the internet, it will appear as if you are browsing from Russia, or Spain, or whatever country. That’s how you get around blocks that a country may put on a website. Because your IP says you are browsing from a different website.

You do want to make sure the VPN is actually good. Some still track you when they claim they don’t.

What they said. You click a program, connect and then can access network programs.

Suppose I am a Russian citizen and I want to listen to VOA. I have a computer and an internet connection. Do I now have to buy or download a VPN program? Once I start the program, do I have to know the address of VOA, or would I be able to do a search?

You literally do what I said. You buy or download a program, get assigned an IP address that is outside of Russia, and then you search the internet. You can use Google (but don’t use Google with a VPN) all the same. Nothing changes except for your IP…

Some websites, like Netflix, ban the use of VPNs and you would not be able to watch Netflix with a VPN. But almost every political/news site should let you use a VPN to access.

Duck duck go would be better Than Google. Because Google may flag your searches as “unusual activity”

What I gather is that with a little effort and maybe at a small cost, a Russian could get to the site, which means that an authoritarian government cannot block all outside sites. I found it rather creepy that Putin blocked access to Facebook, the BBC and VOA. If he is going to invade other countries, at the very least the folks back home should know what is going on. What they do with that information is up to them.

Put VPN in your search engine and take your pick.

Russia can block the ip addresses being used by VPNs. That’s what China does. They keep changing though. Ultimately it’s a cat/mouse game.

@gorillapaws @LostInParadise Yes, VPNs are not 100% foolproof, they can still be censored. If Netflix can tell you are using one, I’m sure the Government can as well.

But yea, with little effort and small cost they could still attempt to access these sites.