Surfing safely on the net while in China

blueoceanviews · 2019-08-09T17:22:22+02:00

Discover effective tips for safely surfing the internet in China, including VPN recommendations and security tools for expats.

blueoceanviews Member

Member since 09 August 2019

blueoceanviewsMember09 August 2019 15:22:22

Hello. So as many as you know, China has strict laws on social media and other popular websites. Since I was living in China for a half year I can tell you my personal experience and how I dealt with it.

Of course the first thing what I did I got a trustable vpn that would work in China and would have some special features for using a vpn in China. So at the end I got a for myself and didn't have any issues with it during the whole time. Of course the blocks might get stricter because of the political situation in the country but then any vpn won't help.

Another thing that I get to secure myself I got a Lastpass password manager that I still keep using. But for the ones who has macOS and iOS it's not that necessary because of the keychain.

And the last thing that I get was uBlock Origin adblocker, that is actually useful wherever you are, not only in China.

VANNROX China Expert

Member since 12 August 2017

VANNROXChina Expert11 August 2019 12:05:25

632

Thanks for all this. I am sure that it is very helpful.

For me, I just stopped using Western websites that are blocked in China. It really, really simplifies my life immensely.

I do scan the headlines on the Drudge Report, and that tells me all I need to know. The West has gone loony-tunes. According to the news today, insects on pizza is becoming a really popular thing. A 80 year old woman went to jail for feeding stray cats, and then there is really crazy news not printable here.

lrai Serial expat

Member since 29 October 2008

lraiSerial expat12 August 2019 23:13:09

212

Just to tag what Vannrox has said...if you follow the rules for the internet in China and don't go where you shouldn't you won't have issues.聽 That said, you may need a VPN at times when the government decides to slow things down to less than a crawl.聽 If so use it sparingly and with care.聽 If you go to sites banned in China be prepared to have a visit at some point from the local police (no joke).聽 As I have said in other threads "don't do stupid" (and if you have to ask then it's probably stupid).聽 When you break the laws here you put all of us at risk...so please just follow the rules.

The internet in China is restricted (duh) but if you can live without your Facebook, Twitter, other social media (which by the way are not your friends), and Google, then you can manage with the Chinese substitutes.聽 Bing works, not as well as Dogpile (my personal favorite search engine) but it works.聽

One last thing, if you publicize a certain VPN I can guarantee it will not work soon after as it becomes popular and on the "radar" so to speak.聽 Like Vann, I don't miss much about the "west" and it is so much easier to live here if you follow the rules.聽 Please think about other foreigners when you are in China and how your actions will impact them.聽 Just be considerate...please.