Russia is said to be preparing to block all third party virtual private networks accessing some content sites in 2024. Some will find that assertion somewhat confusing, as Russia already bans third-party VPNs.
Others might argue that a complete VPN ban is something that is theoretically possible, but arguably quite difficult and expensive to accomplish. Much more likely is a reduction in independent VPN use, but not a complete shutdown.
A study by the University of Oxford found that the Chinese government's ban on VPNs was effective in reducing the use of VPNs in China by 70 percent.
Russia would not be alone in this effort. Other countries that apparently ban all VPNs (including countries that force users to employ the government-created VPN) include:
Belarus
China
Iran
Iraq
North Korea
Oman
Turkmenistan
As many have argued the internet is a tool for people organizing to protect, promote or achieve political freedom, so many have argued VPNs are a similar tool. So in the “war” between governments suppressing free thought, and citizens wishing to do so, what are the challenges the Russian government might face?
In principle, governments can try to block VPNs by:
Blocking IP addresses of known VPN servers
Blocking ports that are commonly used by VPNs (DNS blocking)
Deep packet inspection (DPI) to detect and block VPN traffic
Using legislation to ban VPNs or make their use illegal
Block all VPN protocols, which are the methods that VPNs use to encrypt traffic and route it through different servers.
Prevent users from using other methods to bypass VPN blocks, such as shadowsocks and obscuring proxies.
However, VPN providers can counter these measures by:
Using dynamic IP addresses for their servers
Using different ports for their VPN traffic
Using encryption and obfuscation techniques to make their traffic less detectable
Moving their servers to countries where VPNs are legal
Use Tor or other anonymization tools and peer-to-peer networks
Using obfuscated servers: Obfuscated servers are servers that are designed to hide the fact that they are VPN servers. This can make it difficult for governments to identify and block these servers.
Using multiple protocols: VPN providers can use a variety of different protocols to connect to servers. This makes it more difficult for governments to block all VPN traffic.
Using split tunneling: Split tunneling allows users to choose which traffic goes through the VPN and which traffic does not. This can be useful for users who need to access websites or services that are blocked by the VPN.
Using VPN on demand: VPN on demand is a feature that automatically connects the VPN when the user tries to access a blocked website or service. This can be convenient for users who do not need to use the VPN all the time.
Using a VPN aggregator: A VPN aggregator is a service that provides users with access to a large network of VPN servers. This makes it more difficult for governments to block all VPN traffic.
Using port forwarding: Port forwarding allows users to forward specific ports on their router to the VPN server. This can be useful for bypassing government blocks on certain types of traffic, such as P2P traffic.
Using Shadowsocks or V2Ray: Shadowsocks and V2Ray are open-source protocols that are designed to circumvent government censorship. They are often used by VPN providers to bypass government bans on VPNs.
As with all security measures, there is a never-ending “cat and mouse” game at work, where new security measures get attacked and hacked. A ban on VPNs can be instituted, but it will be difficult to completely enforce.
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