What Securly does and why schools use it
Securly is filtering software that schools install on Chromebooks to block websites, monitor browsing, and prevent students from accessing certain content during school hours. It runs at the system level, which means it operates below the browser and catches traffic before it reaches the internet. Schools use it because they are legally required under the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to filter content on devices they own and control.
The software logs where students go online, what they search for, and how long they spend on each site. It can block categories like social media, streaming video, gaming, and shopping. Some versions also monitor for self-harm keywords or other concerning searches and alert school staff. The filtering applies whether a student is on the school network or using the device at home, because the software is installed on the device itself, not just the network.
Securly is not a security tool meant to protect your device from viruses or hackers. It is a content filter meant to enforce school policy. Understanding that distinction matters because it changes what you should actually do about it.
Key Takeaways
- Securly is school property on a school device, and bypassing it violates your school's acceptable use policy and can result in suspension or loss of device privileges.
- The software cannot be uninstalled by a student because the school controls the device's administrator account, and Securly runs at the system level below the operating system.
- Common bypass methods like VPNs, proxy sites, and Tor are detectable by Securly and will likely trigger alerts to school administrators.
- If you need access to a blocked site for legitimate schoolwork, the correct step is to request an exception through your school's official process, which usually involves a teacher or librarian.
- Using a school device to bypass school filters can result in disciplinary action, loss of device access, or involvement of parents and law enforcement depending on what content you access.
Why common bypass methods do not work
Students often try VPNs, proxy websites, or Tor to hide their traffic from Securly. These methods do not work because Securly does not just look at where you are going—it inspects the encrypted tunnel itself. When you connect to a VPN or proxy, Securly sees the connection attempt and blocks it before the tunnel even forms. The software recognizes the IP addresses and domains of popular VPN providers and proxy sites and treats them the same way it treats blocked websites.
Tor has the same problem. Securly blocks the Tor network at the connection level. Even if you manage to connect, the traffic pattern itself—the way Tor works—is recognizable and flagged. Attempting to use these tools does not silently fail. It generates a log entry that school administrators can see, and many schools have policies that treat bypass attempts as a more serious violation than straightforward visiting a blocked site.
Some students try to use a personal phone on a personal hotspot instead of the school network. This works for avoiding the school's network filter, but Securly is installed on the Chromebook itself, not just on the network. The software still runs and still blocks sites, regardless of which internet connection the device uses. The only way to remove Securly is to have administrator access to the device, which only the school has.
What happens if you try to bypass Securly
When a student attempts to bypass Securly, the software logs the attempt with a timestamp, the method used, and often the content the student was trying to access. This log is sent to the school's Securly dashboard, where administrators and sometimes teachers can review it. The school then has a record that you tried to circumvent a security tool on school property.
The consequences depend on your school's policy and what you were trying to access. If you were trying to reach social media or a gaming site, you might face a warning, detention, or temporary loss of device privileges. If the blocked content was illegal material or something that suggests harm, the school may involve parents, school police, or local law enforcement. Schools take bypass attempts seriously because they indicate an intent to violate policy, not just an accidental click on a blocked link.
Beyond the when ready discipline, a bypass attempt can affect your academic standing, your ability to participate in school activities, or your college applications if the incident is documented in your school record. The device is school property, and using it to circumvent school controls is treated similarly to other forms of misconduct on school property.
The legitimate way to access blocked content for schoolwork
If you need to reach a site that Securly has blocked and you have a real reason—research for a project, an assignment that requires it, or a tool your teacher told you to use—the correct step is to request an exception. Most schools have a formal process for this. You ask your teacher or school librarian to submit a request to unblock the site for your account or device. The request goes to the administrator who manages Securly, and they can whitelist the site or create an exception for a specific time period.
This process usually takes a few days. If you need the site urgently, tell your teacher when ready so they can escalate the request. Many schools will also allow you to access the site from a school computer in the library or computer lab while the exception is being processed. The key is to ask before you try to bypass, not after you get caught.
Teachers and librarians expect these requests and handle them regularly. They understand that filtering software sometimes blocks legitimate educational content by mistake. Asking for an exception shows you are following the rules and trying to do your work, which is very different from attempting to sneak around the filter.
Why the school controls the device, not you
A school Chromebook is not your personal computer. The school owns it, paid for it, and is legally responsible for what happens on it. The school's IT department controls the administrator account, which is the account that can install, remove, or modify software. Your student account is a regular user account with limited permissions. You cannot install programs, change system settings, or remove Securly because you do not have the access level to do so.
This is by design. If students could remove security software from school devices, the school would lose the ability to comply with CIPA and other legal requirements. It would also lose the ability to protect devices from malware, unauthorized changes, and theft. The restrictions exist to keep the device functioning as a school tool, not to punish students.
When you graduate or leave the school, the device goes back to the school's inventory. The school wipes it, re-enrolls it, and gives it to the next student. Everything you do on that device is potentially visible to the school, and the school has the right to monitor it because the school owns it.
What to do if you think a site is blocked by mistake
Sometimes Securly blocks sites that should not be blocked. A news site might be categorized as "social media" by mistake. A research database might be flagged as "shopping." A legitimate tool for a class project might be in a blocked category. If you think a site has been blocked incorrectly, report it to your teacher or librarian with the site's name and what you needed it for.
Your school's IT department can review the block and either whitelist the site for everyone or create an exception for your class. This is a normal part of managing a filter. Schools regularly adjust their block lists based on feedback from teachers and students. Reporting a mistake is helpful and does not get you in trouble—it is the opposite of trying to bypass the filter.
If the site is blocked and you cannot reach your teacher, you can also ask your school librarian or visit the school's IT help desk. They have the tools to check why a site is blocked and can often unblock it on the spot if it is a legitimate educational resource.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different browser to get around Securly?
No. Securly runs at the system level on the Chromebook, not in the browser. It blocks traffic before it reaches any browser. Switching from Chrome to Firefox or any other browser will not help because the filtering happens at the operating system level, below the browser.
What if I use the school device on my home Wi-Fi instead of the school network?
Securly still works. The software is installed on the device itself, not on the network. It filters traffic regardless of which internet connection you use—school network, home Wi-Fi, mobile hotspot, or any other connection. The only way to avoid it is to not use the school device.
Can my parents remove Securly from my school Chromebook?
No. Your parents do not have administrator access to a school device. Only the school's IT department can remove or modify Securly. If your parents want to discuss the school's filtering policy, they can contact the school's IT director or principal, but they cannot change the device settings themselves.
What counts as a "bypass attempt" that gets reported?
Trying to connect to a VPN, proxy site, or Tor network counts as a bypass attempt. So does trying to access a site through an IP address instead of a domain name, or trying to use tools designed to hide your traffic. Even unsuccessful attempts are logged. straightforward clicking on a blocked link and seeing the block page is not a bypass attempt—that is normal browsing.
If I get caught bypassing Securly, what should I do?
Tell the truth about what happened and why you tried it. If you were trying to access something for a legitimate reason, explain that. If you were just curious or trying to access social media, admit that. Schools are more likely to work with students who are honest than with students who deny what happened or make excuses. Ask what the consequences are and what you need to do to move forward.