How to Do Whatever You Want on Library Computers

This wikiHow teaches you how to bypass web restrictions on library computers. While library computers will severely limit your ability to modify or use your computer's system software, you can get around library Internet restrictions by...

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Proxy Website

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    Understand what a proxy is. Proxies allow you to route your web traffic through a server that isn't monitored or restricted. The main downside is that using proxies to browse will significantly slow down your Internet speed.
    1. It's unlikely that you'll be able to use a VPN, which is a more comprehensive version of a proxy, on a library computer.
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    Open a web browser. Click or double-click the app icon for whatever your library computer's default Internet browser is.
    1. The majority of library computers use Windows, so you'll most likely have to use Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer.
    2. If you're using a Mac library computer, you'll most likely be stuck with Safari.
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    Go to a proxy site. There are several trustworthy proxy sites which may be of use to you; if one of them is blocked, try the next one:
    1. ProxFree - https://www.proxfree.com/
    2. HideMe - https://hide.me/en/proxy/
    3. ProxySite - https://www.proxysite.com/
    4. If none of these options are available, try typing online proxy free into a search engine and then clicking relevant results until you find an unblocked proxy.
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    Find and click the search bar. Somewhere on the page (usually in the middle), you should see a search bar with "Enter a URL" or "Web address" (or similar) written in it or next to it.
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    Enter a website's address. Type into the search bar a complete web address (e.g., www.youtube.com).
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    Press ↵ Enter. Doing so will prompt the proxy to begin loading your website.
    1. As mentioned previously, this may take a few seconds longer than usual.
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    Browse your site as you please. Library computers can't prevent you from browsing while you're on your proxy's website. While the site that you're browsing will undoubtedly load slower than usual, you should be able to use it without restrictions.
Method 2 of 2:

Using the Portable Tor Browser

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    Understand how this method works. The Tor browser comes with a built-in proxy, and can be used from a flash drive without needing to be installed on the library computer itself. This is useful since most library computers won't allow you to install programs on them.
    1. Library computers will typically allow you to use a flash drive; however, if your selected library computer is an exception to this rule, this method won't work for you.
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    Make sure that you have an unrestricted computer available. This can be a home computer or a public computer that allows you to download and install programs, but it cannot be a computer that doesn't let you download items.
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    Plug a flash drive into the computer. The flash drive should plug into one of your computer's USB ports.
    1. If you're using a modern MacBook or MacBook Pro, you'll need either a USB-C flash drive or a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter for your Mac.
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    Open the Tor download page. Go to https://www.torproject.org/download/download-easy.html.en in your computer's web browser.
    1. Tor is a lightweight browser that can be installed on and run from a flash drive.
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    Click DOWNLOAD. It's a purple button in the middle of the page. This will prompt the Tor setup file to download onto your computer.
    1. If prompted to select a location before downloading, click your flash drive's name, then skip the next step.
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    Move the Tor setup file onto your flash drive. Go to the folder into which the setup file downloaded, then do the following:
    1. Click the file to select it.
    2. Press Ctrl+C (Windows) or ⌘ Command+C (Mac) to copy the setup file.
    3. Click your flash drive's name on the left side of the File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window.
    4. Click a blank space in the flash drive's window.
    5. Press Ctrl+V (Windows) or ⌘ Command+V (Mac) to paste the file into your flash drive.
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    Install Tor on your flash drive. To do so:
    1. Windows - Double-click the Tor EXE file, select a language and click OK, click Browse..., select your flash drive's name and click OK, and click Install. Uncheck both boxes and click Finish when prompted.
    2. Mac - Double-click the Tor DMG file, verify the download if necessary, and follow any additional instructions on-screen, making sure to select your flash drive as the installation destination.
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    Eject your flash drive. This will ensure that your Tor installation is preserved.
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    Plug your flash drive into a library computer. You'll usually find the USB ports for library computers on the front or sides of the computer. Plugging in your flash drive should prompt the flash drive's window to open.
    1. If you see an error message letting you know that the flash drive couldn't be opened, you won't be able to use Tor on your selected library computer.
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    Open Tor. To do so:
    1. Open your flash drive if it didn't already open.
    2. Double-click the "Tor Browser" folder.
    3. Double-click the "Start Tor Browser" icon.
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    Click Connect. This will launch Tor. At this point, you should be able to browse as you please; since Tor uses a built-in proxy and it's running from your flash drive, library web restrictions shouldn't apply to your browsing session.
    1. You may even be able to download files onto your flash drive while using Tor.
Update 04 March 2020
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