Learning path · 19 steps

Behind the Firewall

Censorship is an arms race. This path explains how blocking works, which disguises defeat which blocks, and what to prepare for the day the network goes dark entirely.

Who it is for People in countries that block websites, fingerprint VPNs or switch the internet off.

01
Getting Around Internet Censorship Guide
Match the circumvention tool to the blocking technique you face.
02
OONI Deep dive · Usable
Read existing measurements and understand the risks before collecting your own.
03
Pluggable transports and bridges Explainer · Usable
Compare Tor entry routes and learn how to obtain and use bridges.
04
Psiphon Deep dive · Usable
Assess a managed circumvention service and its operator trust model.
05
Outline Deep dive · Usable
Understand private server access keys and who operates the proxy.
06
WireGuard Deep dive · Battle-tested
Learn what an encrypted tunnel protects and why it can still be blocked.
07
Run a private circumvention server for people you know Guide · Usable
Set up and test a route for people you know, with a recovery plan.
08
Using Tor Safely Guide
Tor with bridges gives you access and anonymity at once.
09
Tor Deep dive · Battle-tested
How Tor, its bridges and pluggable transports work underneath.
10
Internet Shutdown Preparedness Guide
What to install and agree on before the network is switched off.
11
Kiwix Deep dive · Usable
Prepare a reference library that can be read without an internet connection.
12
Briar Deep dive · Battle-tested
A messenger that keeps working over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when the internet does not.
13
Building a Local Mesh Network Guide
Cheap LoRa radios give a group a text network with no infrastructure.
14
Off-Grid Messaging Explainer
The wider landscape of offline and delay-tolerant messaging.
15
Map: Censorship Resistance Map
How naming, storage, transport and messaging combine into censorship resistance.
16
DNSCrypt and dnscrypt-proxy Deep dive · Usable
Separate encrypted DNS from relay-based DNS privacy.
17
Mullvad VPN Deep dive · Usable
Assess a managed VPN through its account, payment and operator dependencies.
18
Delay-tolerant networking Explainer · Usable
Plan delivery across interrupted connections and limited storage.
19
Satellite broadband and direct-to-cell Explainer · Usable
Check terminal, account and authorized-location dependencies before choosing satellite backhaul.