Proxies come with rules. If a destination is on a provider’s denylist, your requests will fail regardless of your setup. This page explains the typical blocks, how they are enforced, and what you can control. For related caps on destinations, traffic, and methods, see proxy usage limits.
What “blocked websites and apps” means
Blocked websites and apps are destinations that a proxy provider actively denies at the network or gateway level. The result is a connection error or a provider-generated response regardless of your credentials.
A denylist can target full domains, subdomains, exact URLs, IP ranges, port and protocol combos, or entire categories. When a target is blocked globally, no client on that network can reach it. Some providers also support customer-side denylists or allowlists so you can shape routing per project.
Why providers block
Providers block to limit high-risk traffic and cut down on abuse tickets from destination owners.
Abuse on a few hot targets can poison whole netblocks for everyone. Proactive blocks keep the pool usable. Vendors also receive complaints and must show action, which is why unblocking requests often come with conditions.
Common categories that are often blocked
The most frequently restricted categories are government TLDs, financial services, ticketing, streaming, email providers, and high-risk commerce.
Exact coverage varies by provider, but the patterns below are common.
| Category | Examples | Typical reason |
| Government and military | *.gov, *.mil | Compliance and risk aversion |
| Banking and fintech | online banking portals, card issuers | Fraud prevention pressure from targets |
| Ticketing and drops | event ticket portals, flash sales | Scalping and automated buying complaints |
| Streaming and media | Netflix-like, sports platforms | Terms of service and regional licensing issues |
| Email and comms | webmail, messaging signup pages | Mass account creation, spam risk |
| Marketplaces | sneakers, collectibles, limited drops | Queue manipulation and bot activity |
| Cybersecurity properties | breach databases, exploit repos | Policy and optics |
| Rate-limited APIs | public search, map tiles, paid APIs | Traffic shaping and cost control |
Expect coverage to change over time. New hot targets get blocked after a wave of complaints, then sometimes loosened when pressure drops.
How a block is enforced
Blocks are usually enforced at the gateway with DNS filters, SNI checks, HTTP Host inspection, IP-range ACLs, or port rules.
Common methods include DNS filtering, TLS SNI or HTTP Host matching, IP and CIDR ACLs, port bans like 25 for SMTP, and optional WAF rules that throttle or drop patterns even if the domain is not fully blocked.
The abuse workflow in practice
A typical workflow is: destination files abuse, provider throttles or suspends, client is contacted, and blocks are added or updated.
Sequence many vendors follow: an abuse ticket arrives with evidence, the account may enter slow mode or get suspended, some vendors charge a handling fee, the customer confirms they added the domain to a personal denylist or adjusted logic, and access is restored or the domain becomes a global deny for all customers. Repeated severe activity can end in termination.
Personal denylist and allowlist
A personal denylist lets you proactively block destinations that cause trouble in your workflow.
Maintain a per-project block file and push it if customer-side rules are supported. Conversely, a personal allowlist can restrict traffic to only the targets you truly need, which is useful for tightly scoped automations.
How to tell a provider block from a target block
A provider block usually fails before the destination server replies, while a target block returns an HTTP status from the site itself.
Indicators of a provider rule include an instant reset, DNS NXDOMAIN from the provider’s resolver, a generic HTML page from the provider, or a consistent TCP timeout. Target blocks usually show 403, 429, or 503 with site branding or a challenge page. Compare across networks and log timestamps, exit IP, host, status code, and a short HTML snippet to confirm.
What to ask support before you buy
Ask the provider for a current list of blocked categories and whether there is a process to request temporary access for specific domains.
Clarify abuse fees, response times for unblock reviews, and whether per-account or per-project allow/deny rules are available. Examples: do you block government, banking, or streaming by default; can I submit a business case for a specific site; will I be notified before suspension.
Practical tips to avoid getting blocked
Keep traffic compliant, minimize complaints, and log enough to debug fast.
Limit scope to required hosts and paths, stabilize concurrency and new connection rate, respect site rules where required, rotate less on sensitive sites, maintain your own denylist, separate projects across accounts or gateways, log outcome codes, and include timestamps, exit IP, and short cURL output when contacting support.
FAQs
Why are entire TLDs like .gov or .mil often blocked?
Because they are sensitive and tightly monitored. Providers choose to avoid the risk and workload from inevitable complaints.
Can I pay to get a domain unblocked just for me?
Sometimes. Some vendors allow case-by-case exceptions with strict terms, time limits, or additional KYC. Expect denials for high-risk targets.
Why does the site work via my home internet but not through the proxy?
You are likely hitting a provider-level rule. Check for immediate connection resets or a provider splash page rather than an HTTP error from the destination.
Do blocks also apply to mobile apps, not just websites?
Yes. Denylists operate on destinations, not only on browsers. API endpoints used by mobile apps can be blocked the same way.
What happens if my traffic triggers repeated abuse?
You may be charged an abuse-handling fee, placed in slow mode, or suspended. Repeated severe activity can lead to termination without refunds.