How does Runet Censorship Bypass compare to a VPN for Russia?

Runet Censorship Bypass is a free, browser-specific solution that only routes blocked traffic through proxies, while VPNs encrypt all system traffic but often require payment. It's better for targeted access but lacks full encryption and may be slower due to proxy reliance.

How to install Runet Censorship Bypass when the WebStore is blocked?

Use the offline installation packages available on GitHub releases, as mentioned in the README. Download the extension file and manually install it in your browser's extensions settings, though this process is less user-friendly than store installs.

Is Runet Censorship Bypass safe from malware or tracking?

As an open-source project, its code is transparent and auditable by the community, reducing malware risks. However, it relies on external proxies, so users must trust those servers not to log traffic, which isn't guaranteed.

Does Runet Censorship Bypass work with all browsers like Safari?

No, it only supports Chromium-based browsers and Firefox, with no mention of Safari compatibility. The README lists specific stores for Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Firefox, but Safari isn't included.

How frequently are the blocklist updates for Runet Censorship Bypass?

PAC scripts are updated periodically from the zapret-info/z-i repository, but the exact frequency isn't specified in the README. Updates depend on the external source, which may vary based on censorship changes.

Runet Censorship Bypass

GPL-3.0JavaScript0.0.1.63

A browser extension that bypasses internet censorship in Russia using PAC scripts and proxy servers.

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What is Runet Censorship Bypass?

Runet Censorship Bypass is a browser extension that helps users bypass internet censorship in Russia by using PAC scripts to route blocked traffic through proxy servers. It automatically detects blocked websites and redirects them via proxies like Antizapret or local Tor, ensuring access to restricted content. The extension is available for major browsers and updates its blocklists from external sources to stay effective against evolving censorship.

Target Audience

Internet users in Russia and other regions with similar censorship who need reliable access to blocked websites, including journalists, activists, and everyday users seeking privacy and open information.

Value Proposition

It offers a free, open-source alternative to commercial VPNs, specifically tailored to Russian censorship with real-time blocklist updates and multiple proxy options. The extension integrates seamlessly into browsers without requiring complex configuration, making it accessible for non-technical users.

Overview

Web-extension for bypassing censorship in Russia

Use Cases

Best For

Bypassing government-imposed internet blocks in Russia

Related Projects

Community-curated · Updated weekly · 100% open source

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GitHub

2.3k stars69 forks0 contributors

Accessing news and information from censored websites

Using local Tor integration for anonymous browsing

Automatically routing traffic based on updated blocklists

Installing a lightweight browser extension without VPN software

Supporting digital rights and anti-censorship efforts

Not Ideal For

Users outside Russia or regions with different censorship mechanisms, as it's optimized for Russian blocklists
Activities requiring high-speed, low-latency connections like online gaming or HD streaming, due to proxy-induced slowdowns
Individuals needing full system-wide encryption for all traffic, since it only routes browser traffic selectively

Pros & Cons

Pros

Real-Time Blocklist Updates

PAC scripts are updated periodically from the zapret-info/z-i repository, ensuring the extension adapts quickly to new censorship lists without user intervention.

Flexible Proxy Options

Offers a choice between Antizapret proxy servers and Anticensority with local Tor, allowing users to balance speed and anonymity based on their needs.

Wide Browser Compatibility

Available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera via official add-on stores, plus offline installation packages, making it accessible across most major browsers.

Automatic Traffic Routing

Uses PAC scripts to automatically detect and route blocked URLs through proxies, eliminating manual configuration for each site.

Cons

Installation Challenges

Due to censorship blocking Google addresses, installation from WebStore can fail, forcing users to rely on less convenient offline packages as noted in the README.

Proxy Dependency Risks

Relies on external proxy servers or local Tor, which may suffer from downtime, slow speeds, or be targeted by censorship authorities, affecting reliability.

Limited Scope

Only covers browser traffic, leaving other applications on the system exposed to censorship unless additional tools are used, which isn't addressed in the extension.

Frequently Asked Questions

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MTProxy

MTProxy is a lightweight proxy server implementing Telegram's MTProto protocol, designed to bypass internet censorship and allow users in restricted regions to connect to Telegram. It acts as an intermediary between Telegram clients and servers, encrypting traffic to avoid detection by network filters. ## Key Features - **Censorship Circumvention** — Routes Telegram traffic through a proxy to bypass regional blocks and network restrictions. - **MTProto Protocol Support** — Implements Telegram's native MTProto protocol for secure and efficient communication. - **Random Packet Padding** — Adds random padding to packets to evade ISP detection based on packet size analysis. - **Multi-Secret Support** — Allows configuration of multiple secrets for different user groups or access control. - **Statistics Monitoring** — Provides a local port for accessing proxy statistics and performance metrics. - **Systemd Integration** — Includes example configuration for running as a managed service on Linux systems. ## Philosophy MTProxy focuses on simplicity and reliability, providing a minimal, self-contained proxy solution that is easy to deploy and maintain while effectively bypassing censorship mechanisms.

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