Lantern

Lantern is an awesome app created by a team led by Adam Fisk, who also worked on LimeWire and LittleShoot. This handy tool gives you unrestricted access to websites that might be blocked based on where you are in the world.

How Lantern Works

So here’s the deal: to make sure all your internet traffic goes through the Lantern proxy network, you need to keep Lantern running. The app will even try to install add-ons that help your browser always use the system proxy.

Fast Access to the Open Web

The main goal of Lantern is pretty straightforward: it wants to give you fast internet access to the open web, especially if some sites are off-limits for you. It does this using proxy servers that help unblock websites easily.

Secure Connections and Peer Points

To make it happen, Lantern mixes secure servers with peer access points. When servers are down, these peer points step in to handle the load. It’s kind of like having backup friends who help out when needed!

Your Network of Friends

Lantern has a unique feature where it connects you with users up to four degrees away in its network. To join in on the fun, just log in using your Gmail account and add email addresses for up to six trusted friends.

Toggling Your Access

You can easily manage your app’s status through Lantern Preferences. You can choose whether you want to give or get access to the net. Plus, when you're using Lantern for browsing, you get control over which websites connect through the proxy.

Becoming a Proxy User

If you decide to become a Lantern proxy yourself, keep this in mind: there aren’t any rules set by you! This means others might use your internet connection for sites that could be illegal where you live.

Your Privacy Matters!

While Lantern makes it super easy to access blocked websites quickly, remember—it won’t keep your identity hidden! The proxy server can still see your IP address. So always use HTTPS for encrypting your traffic!

A Great Tool with Caution

In conclusion, Lantern is great for getting around website blocks. But if keeping your identity safe is what you're after, check out Tor, as it's a better option for privacy!