Since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, Iranian authorities have sharply restricted access to the internet. According to NetBlocks, a group that monitors internet access worldwide,Iran has experienced anear-total blackoutfor 20 consecutive days. Connectivity has dropped toless than one percent.

For those trying to access the internet, options are limited. Some rely on Starlink, which is not widely used. The equipment is expensive and difficult to import. Iranians also believe is easier for the authorities to detect. Others turn to VPNs (virtual private networks) and custom configurations that can be installed on their phones to mask traffic and bypass censorship.

Elaheh, who like all Iranians spoke toMiddle East Eyeusing a pseudonym for security reasons, has managed to get online with difficulty. She says she bought access through theblack market.

"There are people on Telegram who sell VPNs and configurations," she says. "You have to be lucky. Usually, someone you know has to introduce you."

She explains how it works in simple terms:"They don’t really sell a normal VPN. They give you a configuration. You put it into your phone settings, and then use apps like OpenVPN to connect."

Telegram remains one of the most widely used apps in Iran. People use it for news, communication and everyday life. Now, it has also become a place where VPN sellers advertise their services. But not all of them can be trusted.

Maryam says she was one of the unlucky ones. She found a seller through a friend. He offered her a one-week unlimited VPN for 70m rials - roughly $45-$50.

"I paid the money," she says. "But after that, he told me all the connection routes had been blocked by the government, and that it wasn’t possible to connect."

Days later, she is still waiting. The seller keeps making excuses. He has not provided access and has not returned her money. Stories like hers are becoming more common, but there are plenty of trustworthy sellers on the black market too.

Alireza, 32, studied computer engineering and now sells VPN access. He agreed to explain how the system works, though he is clearly worried about the risks.

Source: ZeroHedge News