If you are using an open proxy or VPN service, you will need to disable it or turn it off in order to edit Wikipedia.

If you believe you are not using an anonymizing proxy, the most likely cause is that another customer using your IP address who was previously assigned this IP address was running an open proxy. You may appeal this block by adding the following text on your talk page: {{unblock|reason=Caught by an open proxy block but this host or IP is not an open proxy. My IP address is _______. Place any further information here. ~~~~}}. You must fill in the blank with your IP address for this block to be investigated. Your IP address can be determined here. Alternatively, if you wish to keep your IP address private you can use the Unblock Ticket Request System.

More rarely, your network equipment or that of your service provider may be misconfigured or compromised by malicious software (such as a virus). For more information, see the WikiProject Open Proxies.

Administrators: The IP block exemption user right should only be applied to allow users to edit using an open or anonymizing proxies in exceptional circumstances, and they should usually be directed to the functionaries team via email. If you intend to give the IPBE user right, a CheckUser needs to take a look at the account. This can be requested most easily at SPI Quick Checkuser Requests. Unblocking an IP or IP range with this template is highly discouraged without at least contacting the blocking administrator.