Psiphon

Pros

• Easy to download and use
• No email address required
• Open source code for higher transparency

Cons

• Requires a strong connection
• May glitch out
• Doesn’t offer a lot of privacy

Psiphon is a circumvention tool for Windows from the developer Psiphon Inc. This tool uses VPN, SSH, and HTTP Proxy which allows you to have unrestricted access to all internet content. As you browse, the client will learn about new points of access, which allows you to bypass blocks with ease. This tool is great for a wide variety of applications.

The internet was founded on the idea of free access to information. However, it seems today that the web is more limited than ever before. Nearly everything is behind some block, and sometimes this is due to employer or government restrictions. Psiphon for Windows allows you to access the content you want, whenever you want, without limitations. This tool allows you to bypass censorship, even its from your country, your corporation, or even your school campus. This tool allows you to browse as you wish without any roadblocks. Information and entertainment shouldn’t come with blocks and limitations. Psiphon is a great too for browsing freely, just as it was meant to be.

It's also incredibly easy to download and run Psiphon on your PC. Once you download and install the program, you’ll receive a security prompt. If you select to run the client program, it will automatically begin to connect. Users then have the option of which tunnel mode to select. Once the connecting icon stops spinning, a green one should display, and it means that your connection has been properly established. If you enter into SSH and SSH+ mode, then the program will automatically set the Windows system proxy settings which would be respected by the major web browsers on the market.

Psiphon also offers a split tunnel option where international traffic is tunneled through the proxy, all while domestic traffic is not tunneled. For this, you will have to check the option that says something like “don’t proxy domestic websites.” When this is done, Psiphon will report any unproxied domains in the message box area. This allows you to track and keep note of your experience, as well as any issues that may occur within.

The Psiphon interface displays your connection status rather well, however, it doesn’t highlight your new IP address. You’re able to select a server from over 20 different regions. Some of these regions include the UK, USA, Spain, India, Canada, and even Switzerland. Once you do so, a new browser window should then appear to show your new IP.

While Psiphon is fantastic for getting around roadblocks and censors, you may find that speed will vary depending on your connection. You may want to experiment with different connections and settings so you’re able to find the one that is fast enough and suitable for your browsing experience. While it’s fast enough to browse the web without issue, you shouldn’t expect any videos to stream at or higher than 1080p. This is a somewhat small point, as the overall benefit of the tool still outweighs this downside.

Another nice quality that this software boasts is the fact that it’s an open-source program, meaning that the original source code is freely available and able to be distributed and modified. This not only helps to increase transparency but also allows others to help make the program even better. Transparency is often rare in the VPN community, so it’s valued when it occurs. Psiphon is also regularly updated, and is subject to peer review, making the program the best program that it could be.

Psiphon is also relatively safe to use, especially compared to other tools just like it. All of your data that goes through Psiphon is encrypted, giving the program an extra layer of security. However, this software is not made for anti-surveillance. This means that some of your data is still visible to things like your internet provider, sort of like when you turn on incognito mode on your phone or computer. It should be noted that even though the software is not anti-surveillance, your internet provider still will not be able to see the content of your internet traffic, like the web pages you’ve browsed, your chats, or your uploads.

It should also be noted that Psiphon doesn’t prevent your browsing history or your cookies from being stored on your computer. Depending on the mode that you’re using, not all your traffic is tunneled. One downside of Psiphon is also what helps keep the program free, as they sell some of your data to third parties to deliver advertisements within the client.

While there is a load of benefits when it comes to Psiphon, there are a few downsides as well. Since this program modifies your PC’s proxy settings when it connects, it also should return them to their original state when the program disconnects. However, some users have issues with their settings being returned to normal after the program disconnects. It seems that sometimes the program will glitch and will fail to reset your proxy settings to their usual state. In this case, users will have to manually fix their proxy settings. This is confusing for some, especially if they were unaware of what their normal settings were.

It's also somewhat important to mention that while it’s totally free to download Psiphon, it’s illegal in many different countries. Luckily, the developers have included features to help mask the presence of users and help obscure their identities. This should work in most cases but is not guaranteed and still carries plenty of risks.

Psiphon also offers a Psiphon Pro version of the program. This version is an ad-supported option of the software, to subscribe to as well as support the network. This option provides a further optimized use of the program, creating better ways to browse without blocks or unnecessary censorship. Because the program works with your favorite major browser, you'll also enjoy the comfort of browsing in a way that you're familiar with, just without the added censorship!

The main purpose of this software is to circumvent censorship and to allow anyone to browse the web freely, without censorship or blockages ruining their experience. However, it does not boast privacy or anti-surveillance. Because of this, you may wish to try high-security VPN options, such as Tor or Surf Anonymous. Apps like these will hide your IP address and ensure your privacy. There are also paid premium VPN options, such as NordVPN, which is well-known and comprehensive, as well as secure.

This outstanding free software gives you everything that you’ll need to browse freely while getting past digital censorship. This software is not for users who are very security conscious or those who want 100% anonymity when they browse. There are plenty of other paid VPN services that can offer more in the way of privacy. However, as is, Psiphon is a great option for most average users.

The newest version of this program doesn’t require you to register, meaning that you’ll be able to start browsing with ease. Psiphon also doesn’t require you to enter any card information, meaning that you’ll never be charged for anything, it’s totally free! The newest version also offers a larger range of selections when it comes to protocols that aren’t just VPNs. You’re able to stay connected at all times with a stellar global network that features thousands of servers and many diverse entry points.

Psiphon is a great utility for Windows that is not only completely free but is also easy to use. This tool allows anyone to easily bypass roadblocks and censorship online, meaning you’re able to access whatever you want, whenever you want. This program is great for the average user, and while its open source means greater transparency, this still isn’t the choice for those who want 100% anonymity or those who are hyper-secure. Psiphon is generally safe to use, but is not anti-surveillance, and does not provide total security. This utility tool also requires a decent internet connection to work and isn’t the best when looking to browse in high quality. However, overall, Psiphon is a great choice when it comes to bypassing censorship and browsing how you’d like to, all for free. Average users are encouraged to check out the program before running to paid, more complicated programs.

Pros

• Easy to download and use
• No email address required
• Open source code for higher transparency

Cons

• Requires a strong connection
• May glitch out
• Doesn’t offer a lot of privacy