Do you know someone who has been a victim of identity theft or a cyberattack? Don't let it happen to them again or be a victim yourself by learning how to hide an IP address.
What's an IP address?
An Internet Protocol address is a unique numerical address assigned to every device that utilizes a TCP/IP-based network to communicate with other devices. It’s used for identifying a piece of hardware within a network and for location addressing.
Devices that are assigned an IP address include computers, phones, printers, switches, routers, and other devices and systems that connect to a network.
What Information Can You Get from Someone’s IP Address?
Each IP address consists of a unique combination of digits. These digits are divided into two parts and can tell us sensitive information about the user.
The first part (the network) indicates which networks the IP address belongs to. The second part (the host) specifies the exact location of the user.
By simply looking at your IP address, unscrupulous individuals figure out where you live and steal your identity. Of course, you won’t want people with malicious intent to know where you are whenever you’re using the net.
To protect your identity, you need to learn how to hide your IP address.
Different Ways to Hide an IP Address
There are several ways on how to hide IP address. Here are the most common ones:
Using a VPN Solution
One of the easiest ways to hide IP addresses is through a VPN. But what is a VPN?
A VPN or Virtual Private Network is a programming tool that uses protocols to encrypt and decrypt data. With a VPN, your IP is hidden and your internet data encrypted. This shields your browsing activity and allows you access to geo-restricted websites.
Among the most reliable VPN providers today are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark. They can set up your VPN client in a jiffy and put your mind at ease with a secure connection and online privacy.
Currently, you can get an impossibly great discount for NordVPN here. This page is always up to date.
Using a Proxy Server
A proxy server masks your IP and provides you with a different one. It does this by routing your web activity through various servers and IP addresses. Since it can connect you to any proxy in the world, a proxy server is quite efficient in hiding your IP so you can circumvent regional IP restrictions.
Then again, some proxy servers can be maliciously used to insert ads into your browsers or spy on your website activities. In this aspect, a VPN offers more layers of security and is a better choice than a proxy server.
Using a TOR
The Onion Router (TOR) is a free client that enables you to connect to a network of anonymous servers to get a new IP address quite similar to how you get one through a VPN.
However, TOR has been known to be a haven for illegal transactions due to its accessibility and anonymity. While it can hide your IP without you having to spend a dime, you may end up on a watchlist along with suspected criminals.
Calling your ISP
In cases when there are threats to security, you can always ask your Internet Service Provider to change your IP address.
Some may require you to give valid reasons for such a change especially if you’re given a static IP. Others may be more accommodating and would grant your request without much trouble.
Hide your IP Address for Secure Browsing
Indeed, hiding your IP address can make your browsing activity more secure. You can best protect yourself from data breaches, identity thefts, and cyberattacks by getting the services of a reliable VPN provider.