Surfing safely on the net while in China

Thanks for all this. I am sure that it is very helpful.

For me, I just stopped using Western websites that are blocked in China. It really, really simplifies my life immensely.

I do scan the headlines on the Drudge Report, and that tells me all I need to know. The West has gone loony-tunes. According to the news today, insects on pizza is becoming a really popular thing. A 80 year old woman went to jail for feeding stray cats, and then there is really crazy news not printable here.

Just to tag what Vannrox has said...if you follow the rules for the internet in China and don't go where you shouldn't you won't have issues.  That said, you may need a VPN at times when the government decides to slow things down to less than a crawl.  If so use it sparingly and with care.  If you go to sites banned in China be prepared to have a visit at some point from the local police (no joke).  As I have said in other threads "don't do stupid" (and if you have to ask then it's probably stupid).  When you break the laws here you put all of us at risk...so please just follow the rules.

The internet in China is restricted (duh) but if you can live without your Facebook, Twitter, other social media (which by the way are not your friends), and Google, then you can manage with the Chinese substitutes.  Bing works, not as well as Dogpile (my personal favorite search engine) but it works. 

One last thing, if you publicize a certain VPN I can guarantee it will not work soon after as it becomes popular and on the "radar" so to speak.  Like Vann, I don't miss much about the "west" and it is so much easier to live here if you follow the rules.  Please think about other foreigners when you are in China and how your actions will impact them.  Just be considerate...please.