Question: For Harvard users in countries that have internet controls over access to sensitive content, will connecting through Harvard – over the Harvard VPN or using a library link to the resource -- help the user bypass blocking and get to library resource content that might otherwise be blocked?

Answer: Sometimes.

Unfortunately there is no simple answer because different countries use different methods to screen internet content and control access, and the technologies are constantly evolving. Accessing through Harvard is not likely to be 100% effective at ensuring  access to blocked resources, but users will probably be able to get to some content through Harvard that would be blocked as a direct connection.

The Harvard Internet Monitor Project (from the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society) has an Access Check tool that lets you check website access from over 50 countries, many of which are known to utilize internet controls: https://accesscheck.thenetmonitor.org/

More Details

Here are some of the technical issues involved with the two methods Harvard affiliates use to access library resources through HarvardKey:

Library links (federated or proxied access through OpenAthens, LibKey Nomad, and other tools)

How it works:

When you load a resource through a Harvard Library managed link like HOLLIS, a “Try Harvard Library” button, or LibKey Nomad browser extension, the service behind the link detects you are trying to access a website that has licensed Harvard access, confirms you are authorized via HarvardKey login, and then passes you through to the resource through either a federated institutional login or a proxy service

Pros:

For internet controls that block a particular resource or geolocation by domain or IP address, accessing through the library link may allow access.

Cons:

Harvard Library links can only be used for websites/resources that the library has set up for licensed access by authorized Harvard users. If you try to use Harvard Library linking tools with a website that is not a restricted library resource, you will be sent directly to the resource website (which may be blocked), just as though you weren’t using the library link. Also, when a website is delivered through the proxy, sometimes helper files (CSS, scripts, logo and banner images, etc.) are delivered directly (not through the proxy). If these are blocked, it can make the website difficult/impossible to use, even if the main page gets through.

Harvard VPN

How it works:

When the user logs in to Harvard VPN, their device is assigned a Harvard IP address, and all internet traffic is routed through Harvard until the VPN session ends. You do still also need to use a Harvard Library link to access Harvard-restricted library resources.

Pros:

For internet controls that block by location, domain, or IP address, as long as they do not also block Harvard, using the VPN should allow access through since it will seem to come from Harvard rather than the original location.

Cons:

Some countries block all VPN access, so the user would not be able to create a VPN connection in the first place. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VPN_blocking)

Content Blocking

Finally, if internet content is being censored based on actual content (keywords, file types, etc.) as opposed to metadata about where it came from, then Harvard access will not prevent it from being blocked or surveilled. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_censorship_and_surveillance_by_country)