Communication is among the most critical human needs. We wouldn’t be the same if we couldn’t establish a conversation or send a message without even saying a word. Verbal and written dialogue is what separates us from the other species.
Imagine having a loved one living abroad. If the Internet provides more than enough tools to talk, see, and hear that person, then we should take advantage of it. Thankfully, some online platforms offer those services.
Skype: The Market Leader
Skype: The Market LeaderSkype is arguably the most famous and widely spread VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services in the world. With it, you can have conversations with people located thousands of miles away, even in other countries.
The app allows users to make calls via the Internet. On top of that, it provides the option to chat via short messages or to perform video calls and conferences, offering a complete communication experience.
Skype was initially created for desktop computers. However, it now functions on several platforms, such as Symbian, Mac, Chrome, Linux, Android, Windows, Blackberry, and iOS. It offers HD voice, screen sharing, file sharing, conference calls, and other excellent features.
The blocking and unblocking options
However, there is always that person that annoys you in more than one way, so you want to block him, or her, from your contact list. The move may be temporary or permanent, and that is why the app offers you both options: you can block a user, and you can unblockĀ them.
The process is very straightforward, and it only requires a handful of steps. Blocking a contact means that it will not be able to call you, send you instant messages within the app, or see your state. In addition, you can report someone for abuse.
How to block a contact and report them for abuse
- Go to your recent chats
- Search and find the contact you wish to block
- Right click on its name.
- Choose the “Block” option.
- From there, you can also report abuse or, if you want, only block the user. Once the contact has been blocked by you, Skype will take it away from your contact list and recent chats.
How to unblock a contact
- Click on your profile picture.
- Choose “Settings”.
- Go to the “Contacts” section.
- Select “Blocked contacts”.
- Click on the “Unblock” button located right next to the contact you want to unblock.
How to unblock a contact (mobile version)
- Open Skype.
- Log in to your account.
- Select the “Chats” tab.
- Select your profile image.
- Tap on the “Settings” menĆŗ.
- Select “Privacy” which is at the bottom of your mobile device’s screen.
- Select “Manage blocked users” in the center of the screen.
- Find the user you wish to unblock.
- Tap “Unblock”. Once you have done this, the user will be added to your chats and contact list again.
VPN for Skype: A Wise Decision
We live in a world in which some governments and authorities think they have the right to tell netizens in their country which sites they can enter and which ones they can’t. Skype has been a favorite target for use restrictions.
The ban’s motives can vary: some countries want to promote state-controlled telecommunications companies, while others claim to be protecting “the national interest” by taking the service away from its citizens.
Either way, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) app can restore access to Skype and other blocked VoIP services. In those nations, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can recognize and block connection requests coming with a local IP number.
However, and thanks to VPN’s location spoofing capabilities, users can “borrow” an IP number from another country while physically being in the nation that blocks Skype. That way, the service will grant full access.
IPBurger VPN is quickly establishing itself as one of the preferred options to unblock and access restricted sites and services, like Skype. It provides its customer with the chance of borrowing both shared and dedicated IP addresses to fulfill every need. It has servers in several countries and responsibly manages people’s privacy.
The Verdict
In conclusion, Skype is arguably the biggest and most famous VoIP service in the world. With it, users can make phone and video calls, as well as sort contacts by groups or lists and chat with them via instant messages. In Skype, you can easily block or unblock users, and also report them for spam or abuse.
In some censorship-heavy nation states, Skype may be unavailable under normal circumstances. However, with a reliable VPN provider, you can enter your account without restrictions.
