An IP Address is a string of numbers and full stops that represent your device and can be used to determine your location. If you can access the internet using your device, it means you have an IP Address. However, because an IP Address is public and visible to everyone, it can be used to track your location.
If you value your privacy and want to keep your location and internet activities private, then you have to hide your IP Address. Fortunately, you can follow any of the easy ways discussed below to hide your IP Address from others.
Use a VPN
Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides the services of a middleman between the internet and your PC or smartphones. It encrypts whatever data is sent to or received from the internet and channels it through a server in another location. This means websites can only see the IP Address of this server whenever you are accessing the internet using a VPN. While some companies that offer VPN services ask that you pay a subscription fee, others are free. After downloading the software on your device, hiding your IP Address will only take a few minutes.
Use a Proxy Network
Using a proxy network provides similar services like the VPN. Whenever you access the internet using a proxy, the websites will not see your IP Address but that of the server. However, the proxy and the VPN are not the same in terms of security and encryption features. To use a proxy on your device, you have to configure it on your browser or download it as a third-party app. Where the proxy connection becomes disconnected for some reason, your IP Address will be visible.
Tor
Also known as the Onion Router, Tor is a decentralized anonymous network that is controlled by a lot of volunteers. With Tor, your internet activities are encrypted and passed through several proxy servers. Instead of seeing your IP Address, the websites you visit will see that of the last server.
Interestingly, your real IP Address cannot be traced because the proxy servers do not maintain the same sequence. To use Tor, you have to download and install it on your device. Fortunately, it works just like any other browser. However, because Tor is slow, it is not suitable for streaming.
Use a Different Network
Using a different network from the previous ones also helps you hide your IP address. If you think your IP Address has been tracked or hacked, you can change it by using a different network. This network can be public or private Wi-Fi. Where you are using Wi-Fi, you can switch to mobile data. However, you should note that using public Wi-Fi to access the internet makes your IP Address easy to hack since it is not encrypted.
Request for a new IP Address
Your internet service provider is responsible for giving out IP Addresses. If you want to hide your IP Address by changing it, all you have to do is request a new one. When contacting your Internet Service Provider, you will be asked to provide details of your account and current IP Address. However, even if your Internet Service Provider changes your IP Address, it won’t remain so forever. Usually, the IP Address is changed constantly by providers. Where you want a static IP Address that will never change, you can contact your Internet Service Provider and pay a little fee to get that.
Why you should Hide your IP Address?
If you are active on the internet, then you would understand why you need to hide your IP Address. The advantage of hiding your IP Address is enormous. See why you should hide your IP Address below:
- To Hide your Location
Your IP Address can be used to determine your location. People with your IP Address can visibly spot where you live or the area you are accessing the internet from. Interestingly, some websites track your location and publish it on their site. However, many dangers come with publicizing your location. If you want to keep your location private, then you need to hide your IP Address.
- Keep Digital Marketers Away
Digital marketers know how to place targeted ads that will arouse your interest by tracking your internet activities. If you have searched for something on the internet recently, don’t be surprised to see related ads popping up. By knowing what you are interested in, these digital marketers can display what you may be willing to buy.
Even though this marketing strategy benefits these advertisers, you may see it as an invasion of your privacy. To keep these digital marketers off your trail, you need to mask your IP Address.
- Bypass Geographical Barriers
There is a lot of content on the internet that you can only access if you are within a certain geographical location. Also, you need to hide your IP Address to access some contents that are geographically restricted. You can hide your IP Address by using a server within that geographical location to access the internet.
- To Use Public Wi-Fi
You don’t need to hide your IP Address to access public Wi-Fi but it makes using it more secure. This is because your data can be tracked or hacked whenever you connect to public Wi-Fi. The only way you can use public Wi-Fi to access the internet without fear is by masking your IP Address.
Conclusion
Ensuring your privacy is guaranteed whether you are online or offline is important. A great way to ensure your privacy when using the internet is by hiding your IP Address. Fortunately, most of the ways discussed in this article to hide your IP Address are free. By reading this article, you have known the benefits you stand to gain by hiding your IP Address when browsing the web. Finally, with the contents outlined here, you no longer need to ask what is my ip address. Besides, you can conduct a speed test to check how fast your network is and the suitable IP address hiding method to use.
