Here’s How To Continue Online If The Zimbabwe Government Shuts Down The Internet

Tinashe Nyahasha Avatar

Of course this will only be helpful if they do a soft shut down of the internet (in simple terms by using software to keep you from connecting). It’s madness if the government even considers shutting down the internet as some reports suggest and it will be full blown lunacy if they do it the hard and fast way and disconnect the switch entirely or cut the fibre!

If they go soft you will be OK if you follow our advice below:

Word of the day: VPN’s

The best thing you can do is to install a VPN and ensure that your movements (on the internet of course) are not traced back to you. You are probably wondering how a VPN will keep you safe? Well let’s talk about that briefly without getting technical. VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, allow users to securely access a private network and share data remotely through public networks. Similar to how a firewall protects your data on your computer, VPNs protect it online. VPNs are hugely popular with corporations as a means of securing sensitive data when connecting remote data centers.

Where can you get one and for which devices?

That’s the short lesson on VPNs. Now the next logical question is where can you get one? On the internet of course! You can download a VPN for your computer or phone and the advice I would give you is to download one for both all your devices that are connected to the internet.

On PC I use Proton VPN and it’s worked wonderfully for me without having to part with any money. I know everyone loves freebies so I’m just putting it out there.

Of course everyone will have their own preferences and the VPN that I think is the champion when it comes to ease of use is in-built with the Opera Browser (laptop). All you have to do is install the Opera browser. Right in the address window where users usually search on Google or enter web addresses there is a VPN button:

VPN button in Opera browser

The VPNs that you can access on your laptop for free include:

I am yet to use any of the 3 above services but they are recommended by TechRadar and usually they are diligent reviewers.

On mobile, I will be the first one to confess! I haven’t protected myself. I’m living a VPN-free life, rather living a VPN-free life until a few minutes ago. Back in the day I used to use Tunnel Bear for mobile and because we are creatures of habits, I rushed back to familiar territory. I won’t say Tunnel Bear is the best VPN on mobile but it’s the one I’m using so of course I will recommend you to get. The setup is clear and easy to follow so all you have to do is download the app and let it show you what you need to do.

You can also check out the following VPN’s on mobile:

These are the VPNs being used in the Techzim office, and I know there are many others but that’s where you guys enter. If you know any other VPNs that run circles around the one’s we recommended then feel free to comment and enlighten us and all the readers.

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18 comments

  1. Blessing

    Thanks guys

  2. Mike G

    Kudos

  3. shirichena

    if the government Shut down internet all those VPNs wont work,Shutting down its not just blocking port 80 or 443.its shutting “Down”

    1. Anonymous

      Its impossible to completely shut down the internet as it will harm many business country wide.They can only block social media networks therefore one need a virtual private network to unblock the platforms

    2. Caelan Omohundro

      It even says in the beginning the only this works is if it was a soft shutdown. Read before you post please

    3. Terabyte

      Shirichena may you read the first paragraph please

  4. Fred Michaels

    Using a free vpn is really risky and not recommended. TurboVPN is amongst the worst because it sends back details of your usage to China and there’s no details on who runs the service.

    Better to get an inexpensive VPN from a reliable service, here’s 21 different reliable VPN apps to get you started: https://www.vpncompare.co.uk/best-vpn-services-2019/

  5. bob

    Try ”freevpnaccess.com”

  6. Timothy Butau

    Best recommended

  7. Anonymous

    Install Tunnel bear app from google play store

  8. tanakeygunts

    makanyanya vanangu

  9. 唐天

    A few months ago i used opera vpn in China it worked well but now its not,i think they found a way to restrict it.i hope it works for you guys.

  10. Stanley

    Any ways of connecting to WhatsApp in Zimbabwe.seems they did a complete shutdown

    1. LS

      Use telegram it does wonders. Hangout is doing well but its encryption from device to server its off-putting

  11. Anonymous

    The Opera Vpn isn’t working at all

    1. Tinashe Nyahasha

      I am using it actually
      If you can’t find the setting in the visible spot we showed in the screenshot above. Go to settings then advanced settings

  12. Anonymous

    How can I access WhatsApp using an iPhone.. struggling guys

  13. hnc

    The best vpn is Orbot, period. Its open source and its impossible to find an alternative that offers the same features. Try it and if you find a better alternative i will gladly retract and use that instead. get it from the play store.

    What is Orbot?
    Orbot is a free proxy app that empowers other apps to use the internet more securely. Orbot uses Tor to encrypt your Internet traffic and then hides it by bouncing through a series of computers around the world. Tor is free software and an open network that helps you defend against a form of network surveillance that threatens personal freedom and privacy, confidential business activities and relationships, and state security known as traffic analysis. Orbot creates a truly private mobile internet connection.

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