Hiding an IP address is one of the fundamental ways to remain anonymous online and avoid censorship.
While recent studies show that new tracking methods such as browser fingerprinting can track users online, the IP address is the biggest sellout.
For starters, an IP address is a unique set of unique strings that identifies all the devices connected to the internet. IP Addresses, whether IPV4 or IPV6 are unique, and can be used to profile internet devices. For the record, you can change or hide your IP address from the websites you visit but not from your ISP.
To safeguard against IP address tracking, you need to mask the IP address. This article shares several ways you can hide or change your IP address.
1. Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
Using a VPN is the most popular method of hiding IP addresses worldwide. A report on Statista shows that 41% of respondents from the US and the UK use a VPN at least once a week. What’s more? The VPN market size was expected to reach $107.6 billion in 2027.
A VPN is an online security tool that encrypts data by creating a private network connection from a public internet connection. So, what does a VPN hide? Well, A VPN hides a user’s IP address, location, and browser history. This way, they can be sure of online security and privacy. They can also bypass geo-restrictions and block websites and spies from accessing their digital footprint.
VPN software is the best and easiest way of hiding your IP address. All users have to do is install the desktop client, browser addon, or mobile app, register, choose a plan and select a server. What’s more? VPNs offer all-around protection for both desktop and mobile users. The subscriptions are quite affordable, and more so, there are free VPNs.
2. Install a Proxy
For starters, proxies, also known as proxy servers, act as a gateway between the client device requesting an internet resource and the internet resource provider’s server.
Proxies can also help you hide your IP address. While not commonly used, they can also guarantee online privacy and security.
Proxies work in the same way as VPNs in that they mask your real IP address by assigning your device a different IP address. The difference, though, is that proxies are designed to issue virtual addresses only, while VPNs are versatile and can do more than just mask your IP address.
Proxies are very effective in hiding IP addresses. But then, they tend to slow down the internet, and the installation and operation are not user-friendly – you need to be a little techie to set up a proxy. The biggest flaw, however, is the fact that proxies can’t hide DNS traffic. So third-party DNS servers will trace your real IP address.
3. Take Advantage of Tor Browser
If you haven’t found a free VPN to hide your IP address and you don’t want to use a proxy, Tor Browser can come in handy. Also known as The Onion Router, Tor is open-source software that facilitates safe and secure browsing. According to the latest data from Tor, the browser is directly connecting over 3,000,000 users daily.
Tor works by directing web traffic through a global volunteer overlay network of more than 6,000 relays. The browser hides the user’s actual IP address every time they send and receive data from the internet resource. While most users on Tor use the browser for online privacy and security, there have been concerns over its facilitation of black market activities.
The biggest advantage of Tor is that it is a free service, so you can hide your IP address without spending a dime. But unfortunately, Tor slows down connection speeds, and some websites restrict its usage.
4. Change Internet Network Access
One thing about IP addresses is that they change from time to time and are assigned by the ISP. One of the times it changes is when you switch to a different network. Having said that, you can change your IP address by switching to a different network.
If you think someone is snooping on you using your IP address or you have been banned/blacklisted, you can switch between networks to solve the problem. For example, if you are on a mobile device, switch from WiFi to mobile data and vice versa. Now that the ISPs are different, you will be assigned a new IP. Another way is to use public WiFi.
Changing your IP address by switching between different networks is an effortless way of masking your IP address.
5. Contact Internet Service Provider (ISP)
As earlier mentioned, it’s your ISP that assigns you an IP address. If you want to change your IP address, you can also consider contacting them and asking them to assign you a new IP address.
Well, most ISPs may not be very willing to change your IP address. So when contacting them, tell them politely that you think your IP address, online security, and privacy are compromised. Many IPs work with IP addresses that also change from time to time, but you may also request a static IP address.
6. Use a NAT (Network Address Translation) Firewall
Another way of hiding your IP address is using a NAT Firewall. Please note, this method is available for users using a wireless router only. In case you are on a wireless router, you are using NAT Firewall.
Network Address Translation (NAT) forwards requests to the internet resource from the private IP addresses to the internet resource using the router’s public IP address. Now that several devices are using the same router, the devices use the same public IP but unique private IPs.
Using a NAT Firewall hides your IP address and is automatic as long as you are on a wireless router. However, it doesn’t guarantee 100% privacy as it hides only your private IP address.
7. Unplug Modem to Force IP Change
IP addresses are recycled from time to time. Mostly, when you are disconnected from the internet then, you are reconnected. While it is not a guarantee that you will be assigned a new IP address, unplugging your modem and plugging it back can do the magic.
The advantage of this method is its simplicity. You don’t need to be a techie to change your IP address. But as said earlier, it’s not a guarantee that you will be assigned a different IP address when you re-establish a connection. Unless you unplug the modem for an extended period, say, overnight this method is not 100%. Another shortcoming, this method works with dynamic IPs only as static IPs remain unchanged.
Hiding your IP address is very simple. The best way is to use a VPN or Tor browser. You can also install a proxy, but then, it’s not an easy process. Other ways of masking your IP address include changing your network access, contacting your ISP, using NAT Firewall, or forcing an IP address change by disconnecting your modem.
Wrapping Up
There you have it, folks, seven ways of hiding your IP address to conceal your online identity and location, bypass IP-related bans and blacklisting, access geo-blocked services, and shield yourself from DDoS attacks. If you think you are being tracked or facing IP-bans, try any of the above methods to prevent anyone from tracking and profiling you.