We’ve all seen articles about students using services like ChatGPT to write essays for them. Unfortunately, this has led some colleges and workplaces to tighten their restrictions on AI-powered tools. Services like Quillbot often get caught in the crossfire and blocked despite its usefulness. The good news is that there’s an easy way to unblock Quillbot while at work or on campus.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) encrypt your internet traffic, which has two main benefits: it stops network administrators from seeing what you get up to online and prevents web-filtering systems from restricting access to certain sites.
In this guide, we will tell you everything you need to know about using a VPN to unblock Quillbot and recommend our favorite service for the job.
Simple solution: Use a VPN to access Quillbot anywhere
VPNs might sound a little complicated but using one is actually very straightforward. Follow the steps below and you’ll be able to unblock Quillbot at work or university:
- The first step is deciding which VPN to use. NordVPN is our top choice thanks to its high speeds, exceptional unblocking ability, and powerful security tools. Alternatively, you might want to try Surfshark or ExpressVPN.
- Sign up for your chosen service, then download and install its app (or browser extension, if you’re using a school-owned Chromebook).
- Login and choose a server in your current location. Clicking the Quick Connect button will see you connected to the fastest-available server, which is almost always in the same country as you
It’s important to choose a server in your actual location since some workplaces or universities might block visitors from abroad After a few seconds, the screen will change to let you know that you’re good to go (NordVPN, for instance, says CONNECTED in the top-left).
- Finally, try visiting Quillbot again. You should be able to use it as normal. If not, clear your browser’s cookies and cache before reloading the page. If the problem persists, reach out to your VPN’s support team. All of the services mentioned above offer free 24/7 assistance via live chat.
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Why do some colleges and workplaces block Quillbot?
Rather than take a risk by permitting the use of some AI writing tools, many schools find it easier to block them all outright.
First and foremost, employers want to make sure that workers are actually doing the work that they’re paid for. Educational bodies, meanwhile, want students to fully understand the material they’re taught. Even putting these issues aside, language-learning models don’t actually know what they’re saying and frequently deliver inaccurate responses to questions. Tools like ChatGPT can produce substandard work when relied on for research.
There’s also the issue of plagiarism. AI-powered tools are almost always trained on other people’s content, whether it’s newspaper articles, social media posts, or books. As such, it’s possible for them to output large chunks of unedited text without proper attribution.
Why use a VPN for Quillbot?
VPNs are one of the easiest ways to sidestep web-filtering. For starters, they’re faster than other workarounds such as proxies because they have servers all over the world instead of a single location. They’re also significantly more secure, thanks to their encryption and leak protection.
On that note, good VPNs live and die by their reputations. That’s why they go to such extreme lengths to keep your data private. NordVPN, for instance, has been independently-audited three times and has a built-in Threat Protection tool that blocks ads, trackers, and malware. There are also special obfuscated servers allowing you to access the wider internet in places with strict online censorship.
Can I get into trouble for bypassing my college’s web filter?
Before you attempt to access sites that are blocked at your college campus or workplace, we strongly encourage you to respect the rules. These will explain clearly which actions are prohibited and most likely, the penalties you face for doing them.
Didn’t sign an acceptable usage policy? VPNs are legal in most countries so it’s unlikely you’ll face any repercussions unless you’re actively breaking the law. Additionally, once connected, network administrators can’t actually tell which sites you’re visiting, so they’ll face an uphill battle trying to prove that you did actually bypass their web-blocking software.
Disclaimer: Although we’ve spent hours researching this topic, we are not legal experts. As such, nothing we’ve said above should be taken as legal advice. We encourage you to consult local laws and your specific employer or college’s rules before using a VPN.
What else can I do with a VPN?
The possibilities are endless. Here are a few ways you can use a VPN in your day-to-day life:
- Regaining access to your usual streaming services while on vacation
- Protecting yourself from snoopers while using public wifi networks
- Preventing your Internet Service Provider from throttling your connection
- Playing online games with friends in other countries
- Hiding your real IP address when torrenting
- Getting unbanned from specific websites
- Reporting safely from countries known for arresting journalists
