ByIP address is your online identity, and sometimes it may be necessary to hide or change it. Hiding your IP address increases privacy, blocks access to websites, and allows safe browsing. In this article, we will explain the 12 best and easiest ways to hide or change your IP address.
1. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
VPN is the most effective and popular way to hide IP addresses. A VPN routes your internet traffic through an encrypted server and hides your real IP address.
Popular VPN Services:
NordVPN – Fast and Secure
ExpressVPN – Strong Security
Surfshark – Unlimited Device Support
Benefits of VPN:
Security on Public Wi-Fi
Geo-blocked Content Access
Privacy and Anonymity
2. Use a Proxy Server
Proxy servers route your traffic through another server, changing your IP address. Popular proxy tools:
Hide.me
ProxySite.com
KProxy
Advantages of proxy servers:
Easy and free
Bypass website blocks
Fast setup
3. Use the Tor browser
The Tor network passes your traffic through multiple nodes, hiding your IP address.
Advantages of the Tor browser:
Completely free
Highest protection of privacy
Access to the deep web
4. Connect to a mobile network
If you want to change IP address instantly, use mobile data instead of your Wi-Fi. Mobile networks often offer dynamic IP addresses, which give a new IP every time.
5. Connect to public Wi-Fi
Connect to Wi-Fi is available in a public place like a cafe, library, or hotel. This will change your IP address according to their network.
6. Get a new IP from an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
You can contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and ask for a new IP address.
How to:
Turn off your modem for some time and then turn it on.
Request a static IP from the ISP.
7. Reboot the device
In cases of dynamic IP address, simply restarting your router or modem can change the IP address.
8. Change the DNS server
You can also hide your identity to some extent by changing the DNS server.
Popular DNS services:
Google DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4)
Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1)
9. Use a NAT firewall
NAT (Network Address Translation) firewall masks your IP address and hides your identity from the outside world.
10. Route traffic through a hosting service
Using a CDN (Content Delivery Network) like Cloudflare you can route your website traffic, hiding your real IP address.
11. Use a Smart DNS service
Smart DNS services hide your location and route your internet traffic through different locations. Popular Smart DNS Services:
Unlocator
SmartDNSProxy
12. Use Add-ons and Browser Extensions
There are many extensions and add-ons available to hide IP addresses in the browser.
Popular Extensions:
Hola VPN
Browsec VPN
Windscribe
Conclusion
Hiding or changing your IP address is important for your online security and privacy. With the above methods, you can protect your privacy and access blocked content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Hiding and Changing IP Address
1. What is an IP address?
An IP address (Internet Protocol Address) is a unique identification number that is given to your device to connect to the Internet. It tells the location and identity of your Internet connection.
2. Is it safe to hide an IP address?
Yes, hiding IP addresses is completely safe and it increases your online privacy and security.
3. Can IP address be hidden without a VPN?
Yes, IP addresses can be hidden using other options like proxy servers, Tor browser, and mobile networks.
4. Are free VPNs safe or not?
Some free VPN services are safe, but sometimes they can log your data. It would be better to use a reliable and paid VPN.
5. Does hiding your IP address affect your internet speed?
Yes, using a VPN or proxy server can slow down your internet speed a little, but good VPN servers maintain the speed.
6. Will changing your IP address change my location?
Yes, your virtual location changes when you use a VPN or proxy, making websites think you are accessing the internet from another country or region.
7. Can I access services like Netflix or Hulu by changing my IP address?
Yes, you can access geo-blocked content through a VPN or Smart DNS.
8. Does the IP address change on mobile data?
Yes, mobile networks often have a dynamic IP address that can change every time you switch networks or reconnect.
9. How secure is the Tor browser?
The Tor browser is highly secure, but it is a bit slow. The Tor network passes your internet traffic through multiple nodes to hide your identity.
10. Does hiding your IP address protect you from hackers?
Hiding your IP address makes it difficult for hackers to track your device, thereby increasing your online security.
11. Can I change my IP address myself?
Yes, you can get a new IP address by restarting your router, using a VPN or proxy server, or contacting your ISP.
12. Does changing your IP address affect your social media accounts?
No, changing your IP address does not have any negative impact on your social media accounts, but for security reasons, sometimes you may require an OTP or verification when logging in from a new location.
13. Do all VPNs work on all websites?
No, some websites use VPN detection technology and block VPN servers. Therefore, it is better to use paid and premium VPN services.
14. Does hiding IP address affect online gaming?
Yes, in some cases the ping time may increase, which may slightly affect the gaming experience. However, using a good VPN reduces this problem.
15. Should you use a VPN on public Wi-Fi?
Yes, it is extremely important to use a VPN on public Wi-Fi as it keeps your data secure and protects against potential cyber-attacks.
