How to Access Blocked Websites Through Fortinet Filters

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Everything you need to know about bypassing the Fortinet firewall

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: January 13, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Using a Proxy Server
|
• Using a VPN
|
• Using Mobile Data
|
• Q&A

|Show more |Show less

If you're trying to get around the Fortinet web filter at work, school, or in some other secure location, you might see a message like "FortiGuard intrusion prevention - access blocked." Unfortunately, Fortinet admins tend to lock down their firewalls tightly, so it can be tricky to unblock your favorite websites. Many Fortinet admins even block proxy servers and VPNs, which affects a lot of the most common workarounds. Still, there are ways to get past Fortinet to access blocked websites. We'll show you how!

Bypassing Fortinet: Quick Options

• Try accessing blocked websites through a web-based proxy server like Webshare, Whoer, or Proxysite.
• Install a VPN app like Mullvad or AirVPN, or try a browser-based VPN like Stealthy.
• If all else fails, use your phone's mobile data connection. If supported by your carrier, you can share your phone's connection with your computer.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Using a Proxy Server

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1. 
   1
   Go to a proxy server website. A proxy website is a site you can use to visit a website that's blocked on your own network. To use a proxy server, just type or paste the web address you want to go to into the URL field to access the website through the proxy. Unfortunately, a lot of these sites are blocked by Fortinet, though there are still a few that may work:

   • whoer.net/webproxy
   • www.proxysite.com/
   • www.webshare.io/
   • www.vpnbook.com/webproxy
2. 
   2
   Type the URL of the blocked website in the bar. Most proxy websites have the URL bar in the middle of the page.

   • Depending on the proxy server, you may be able to select a proxy location from the US, Europe, or elsewhere.
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3. 
   3
   Click Go (or similar) to load the website. Other proxy servers may say something like, "Visit anonymously", or "Surf", or something similar.
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Section 2 of 3:

Using a VPN

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1. 
   1
   Try installing a VPN. Depending on how Fortinet is configured, you may be able to connect to a VPN on your computer, phone, or tablet to unblock websites. However, some Fortinet admins block VPNs, so it can be tricky. Some users have found they're able to get past Fortinet using a browser-based VPN extension instead of using an app to connect.

   • Most VPNs cost money, and if you plan to use it often, a VPN is worth paying for. Some Fortinet admins block VPNs by port, so you'll likely want to try a VPN that supports port forwarding. Some options that do are Mullvad, Cryptostorm, AirVPN, and AzireVPN.
   • Since Fortinet blocks a lot of VPNs, lesser-known VPN services might get you better results. The above-mentioned VPNs are lesser known than popular options like Nord and SurfShark, so you may have better luck with those.
   • There are some free VPNs (and premium VPNs that have free tiers) you can try. Free VPNs are usually slower and/or have usage limits. Here are a few free VPN options:
     • ProtonVPN
     • Betternet
     • TunnelBear
2. 
   2
   Connect to the VPN. The steps to connect to a VPN vary by VPN service, but you'll usually open the VPN app and click Connect. As long as Fortinet isn't blocking VPNs, you should be able to access unblocked websites as soon as you connect.

   • If you can't connect to the VPN through Fortinet or your websites are still blocked, try changing the port in your VPN. You may need to open the port in your computer's firewall as well.
3. 
   3
   Try a browser-based VPN if your VPN app isn't working. Fortinet blocks a lot of VPNs, but browser-based VPNs are harder to block. If you weren't able to connect to a VPN, try some of these options:

   • Install a web browser with a built-in VPN like Opera or Brave. Once installed, turn on the VPN and try to access blocked websites.
   • If you're using Chrome or Edge, install Stealthy or Browsec, 2 VPN web extensions that have a free tier.
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Section 3 of 3:

Using Mobile Data

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1. 
   Use your phone's mobile data if you can't get past Fortinet. Fortinet is powerful–mainly used by businesses, schools, and governments–and the admins may have done the absolute most to lock it down. If you can't use VPNs or proxies to access sites blocked by Fortinet, you should be able to visit any site you want using your mobile data connection–just turn off Wi-Fi on your phone. And, if your cellular provider offers this feature, you can enable your phone's mobile data hotspot (also called tethering) to share your phone's cellular connection with your computer and other devices.

   • Check out our guide to mobile hotspot setup to get started.

Community Q&A

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• Question

  When I go to the linked proxy site and Fortinet pops up blocking it as "proxy avoidance", what do I do?

  

  Community Answer

  You need to go the proxy settings and uncheck the option for proxy avoidance to allow the sites to load. Steps will depend on the kind of browser (IE, Chrome, etc) you are using and platform, whether Windows, Mac or Linux.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 48 Helpful 13
• Question

  I can’t get any of the 3 proxies to work. What should I do?

  

  Jackify

  Community Answer

  Accept the firewall rules. That's pretty much it.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 104 Helpful 10
• Question

  My country blocks it.

  

  Julia

  Community Answer

  If your country blocks it, get a good VPN! VPNs can “change” the country that you’re in, unblocking websites that are blocked in your country, as long as the country you change to didn't block the same website.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 10 Helpful 8

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