What Is Shadowsocks and Why It Is The Best Solution For Bypassing Firewalls?
Published: 2024-03-04 17:45:43

Imagine you're in a giant game of digital hide and seek. On one side, you have folks who just want to wander around the huge, exciting online world without anyone peeking over their shoulders. On the other side, there are governments all over the map trying to keep things under wraps, watching over everyone's online moves. They're doing this for a bunch of reasons like keeping the country safe or just because they don't agree with everything that's out there. To do this, they get internet companies to block off parts of the web they're not too keen on.


Now, because people love their online freedom, they've been looking for sneaky ways to get around these digital roadblocks. But, places like China, North Korea, and the United Arab Emirates are super strict and even keep VPNs (those virtual escape tunnels) off-limits. That's where the new technologies come into play, cooking up new magic like Shadowsocks to bypass strict internet firewalls and surveillance.

It is a lightweight, super-sneaky way to get around those big firewalls and get into the areas you've been restricted. In this article, we'll take a closer look at what makes Shadowsocks the best choice to bypass firewalls and whether it's a good pick for you, especially if you're trying to find an alternative to VPN.

## How Shadowsocks Works

[Shadowsocks](https://www.anonymous-proxies.net/products/shadowsocks/) came up as a clever idea to dodge the heavy internet censorship in China, also known as the Great Firewall. It was the creation of a developer known as Clowwindy, who, under pressure from the authorities, had to close the project back in 2015. The beauty of Shadowsocks, though, lies in its open-source roots, which meant that even after Clowwindy stepped back, a community of tech enthusiasts stepped up, breathing new life into the project and creating new versions for the world to use.

Shadowsocks depends on a [SOCKS proxy](https://www.anonymous-proxies.net/products/socks-proxy/) which means it is versatile and can work with different types of traffic, not only HTTP. It wraps everything up in a layer of encryption to keep prying eyes away from you. This way your online activities are hidden, making your browsing session more private and secure.

What really sets Shadowsocks apart is its ability to blend in with normal internet traffic, making it hard for censorship tools to block. You can change its settings to your heart's content, making it even more elusive. Plus, it comes with a strong encryption, including AES encryption, ensuring that your data remains a closed book to anyone who might be snooping around, like ISPs trying to play the role of the watchful intermediary.


## What is The Great Firewall of China?

China's approach to the internet is all about keeping things under its own roof which they call "internet sovereignty". What this really means is they've got the most sophisticated digital gatekeeping system on the planet.

Their reasons? It's a mix of wanting to keep a tight grip on the country's narrative, ensuring society ticks along smoothly, molding public opinion, and keeping a lid on any negative chatter about the government or its agencies.

This whole digital fortress idea got its start back in the early 2000s with something called the Golden Shield Project. The centerpiece of this project is what's popularly known as the Great Firewall of China.

This Great Firewall isn't just one thing; it's a toolbox full of different ways to keep a check on what folks in China can see and do online. Here's a taste of what's in the toolbox:

- **URL Filtering:** Imagine you can walk into a library but can't read any book that's marked as "sensitive."

- **Packet Inspection:** This is like having your mail opened to check if you're sending or receiving anything that's not allowed.

- **IP Access Blocking:** This is like being told you can't go into a certain club. Certain IP addresses are just off-limits.

- **Connection Resetting:** If they spot something fishy, they can just cut the line, stopping the conversation right there.


And when it comes to social media, it's a case of "thanks, but no thanks" to the global giants. Instead, China champions its own versions like WeChat instead of WhatsApp, Weibo stepping in for Twitter, and Youku as the local YouTube.

## What’s The Problem with VPNs and State censorship?

When you use a [VPN](https://www.anonymous-proxies.net/products/wireguard-vpn/), it's like hiring a discreet courier to carry your messages across the internet. Your device connects to a server that the VPN service runs, acting like a middleman who keeps your online conversations private. This server scrambles your messages in a way that even the company providing your internet can't read them. Then, before your messages reach their final destination, the server translates them back into a language that the website you're visiting can understand. And when websites send information back to you, the process reverses, keeping your online activity hidden.

When you use a VPN it seems like you're browsing from a completely different place than where you actually are. So, if you're sitting in a café in Beijing, with a VPN you might appear to be sipping tea in London.

However, there are a couple of issues in this setup:

- First off, finding and signing up for a VPN can be tricky, especially in places with strict internet controls like China. The usual go-to VPN websites and apps are blocked, and you won't find them just lying around in local app stores. A pro tip: If you're planning a trip to a country with tight internet restrictions, get yourself a VPN subscription before you pack your bags.

- Then there's the issue of VPN crackdowns. VPNs communicate using special codes, but with the help of some smart technology, internet watchdogs have gotten pretty good at spotting these secret signals. Even though they can't read the messages, they can tell when a VPN is being used and can block it. Big VPN companies are constantly changing their secret handshakes to sneak past these blocks, but it's a bit like a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. Recently, a check-up on how VPNs are doing in China showed that out of 60 tested, only 13 were still sneaking messages through. It looks like, for now, the gatekeepers have the upper hand.

## Should You Use Shadowsocks Over VPN to Bypass The Great Firewall?

Deciding whether to go with Shadowsocks or a VPN really boils down to what you're looking to do online. Shadowsocks has become a go-to choice for many in China because it's pretty good at sidestepping the Great Firewall. You can find guides on places like GitHub that walk you through setting up your own Shadowsocks server with a rented VPS. So, if your main mission is to dodge those digital barriers, Shadowsocks could be the way to go.

On the other hand, if you're aiming to keep your online activities under wraps while also fighting off censorship, then a VPN might be your best bet. It's designed not just to help you access a free internet but also to keep your private life, well, private.