How to Hide Your IP Address

Introduction

In today’s world, we are dependent on the internet for staying in touch with latest news, keeping contact with our family and friends, or purchasing stuff from the web shops.
While trying to do any of above, your IP address (Your online identifier) is constantly leaking and will be used to track your online activity, Geo-locate your physical location and therefore spam you with Geographically adapted advertisements, offers and more.
If you think you are in control of your own data while visiting websites over the world wide web, you couldn’t be more wrong.
In this article, we will discuss how to hide your IP address, how to hide it on different devices such as Android, iPhone, and Windows, and how to protect it.

What is an IP address and why hide it?

An IP address stands for Internet Protocol address and is a unique number that is assigned to every device connected to the internet. It is used to identify your device on the internet and route traffic to it. Your IP address can reveal information about your location, internet service provider (ISP), and more. By hiding your IP address, you can protect your online privacy, prevent tracking and surveillance, and access content that is restricted in your country.

How to hide your IP address using a VPN

The best way to hide your IP address is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN is a private network that is built on top of the public internet. When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel to the VPN server, which then routes the traffic to the internet. The VPN server then acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet, hiding your real IP address and assigning you a new one from the VPN server’s location.

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How to hide your IP address on Android

Method 1: Use a VPN on Android

1. Choose a VPN provider: There are many VPN providers available, so do some research to find one that fits your needs and budget.
2. Download and install the VPN app: Most VPN providers offer an app that you can download from the Google Play Store. Follow the provider’s instructions for installation.
3. Launch the VPN app: Once the app is installed, launch it and log in with your account credentials.
4. Choose a server location: Most VPN apps will let you choose a server location from a list of available options. Select a server location that suits your needs.
5. Connect to the VPN: Tap the connect button in the VPN app to establish a secure connection. Once connected, your IP address will be hidden and your internet traffic will be encrypted.

Method 2: Install Tor Browser on Android

1. Download Orbot: Orbot is an Android app that acts as a proxy for the Tor network. Download Orbot from the Google Play Store or the Orbot website (https://guardianproject.info/releases/Orbot/).
2. Install Orbot: Once the Orbot download is complete, install the app on your Android device.
3. Launch Orbot: After installing Orbot, launch the app on your Android device.
4. Connect to the Tor network: To connect to the Tor network, tap on the “Start” button in the Orbot app.
5. Download Tor Browser: Open your Android web browser and go to the Tor Project website (https://www.torproject.org/). Click on the “Download Tor” button, select “Android” as your operating system, and download the Tor Browser.
6. Install Tor Browser: Once the Tor Browser download is complete, open the file and install the browser on your Android device.
7. Launch Tor Browser: After installing Tor Browser, launch the browser and start browsing the web anonymously on your Android device.

Note: It’s important to always download the Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website to ensure that you’re downloading a legitimate version of the software. Additionally, using Tor on a mobile device may not provide the same level of security and anonymity as using it on a desktop or laptop computer, due to differences in hardware and software configurations.

How to hide your IP address on iPhone

Method 1: Use a VPN on Iphone

1. Choose a VPN provider: There are many VPN providers available, so do some research to find one that fits your needs and budget.
2. Download and install the VPN app: Most VPN providers offer an app that you can download from the App Store. Follow the provider’s instructions for installation.
3. Launch the VPN app: Once the app is installed, launch it and log in with your account credentials.
4. Choose a server location: Most VPN apps will let you choose a server location from a list of available options. Select a server location that suits your needs.
5. Connect to the VPN: Tap the connect button in the VPN app to establish a secure connection. Once connected, your IP address will be hidden and your internet traffic will be encrypted.

Method 2: Install Tor Browser on Iphone

1. Download the Onion Browser: Unlike on desktop and Android, there is no official Tor Browser for iOS. However, the Onion Browser is a popular alternative that allows you to access the Tor network on your iPhone. Download the Onion Browser from the App Store.
2. Launch the Onion Browser: Once the Onion Browser is installed on your iPhone, launch the app.
3. Connect to the Tor network: To connect to the Tor network, tap on the “Connect to Tor” button in the Onion Browser.
4. Use the Tor Browser: Once you’re connected to the Tor network, you can use the Onion Browser to browse the web anonymously on your iPhone.

Note: Using Tor on a mobile device may not provide the same level of security and anonymity as using it on a desktop or laptop computer, due to differences in hardware and software configurations. Additionally, it’s important to always download the Onion Browser from the official App Store to ensure that you’re downloading a legitimate version of the software.

How to hide your IP address on Windows

Method 1: Use a VPN on Windows

1. Choose a VPN provider: There are many VPN providers available, so do some research to find one that fits your needs and budget.
2. Download and install the VPN software: Most VPN providers offer software that you can download and install on your Windows computer. Follow the provider’s instructions for installation.
3. Launch the VPN software: Once the software is installed, launch it and log in with your account credentials.
4. Choose a server location: Most VPN software will let you choose a server location from a list of available options. Select a server location that suits your needs.
5. Connect to the VPN: Click the connect button in the VPN software to establish a secure connection. Once connected, your IP address will be hidden and your internet traffic will be encrypted.

Method 2: Install Tor Browser on Windows

1. Download Tor Browser: Go to the Tor Project website (https://www.torproject.org/) and click on the “Download Tor” button. Select “Windows” as your operating system and download the Tor Browser.
2. Open the Tor Browser installer: Once the Tor Browser download is complete, open the file and run the installer.
3. Choose your language: Select your preferred language and click on the “OK” button.
4. Choose your installation location: Choose the location where you want to install the Tor Browser on your computer.
5. Start the installation: Click on the “Install” button to begin the installation process.
6. Wait for the installation to complete: The Tor Browser will install on your computer. Wait for the installation to complete.
7. Launch Tor Browser: Once the installation is complete, launch the Tor Browser by double-clicking on the Tor Browser icon on your desktop or in your Start menu.
8. Connect to the Tor network: When you launch the Tor Browser for the first time, it will automatically connect to the Tor network.
9. Use the Tor Browser: Once you’re connected to the Tor network, you can use the Tor Browser to browse the web anonymously on your Windows computer.

Note: It’s important to always download the Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website to ensure that you’re downloading a legitimate version of the software.

How to hide your IP address on Mac

Method 1: Use a VPN on Mac

1. Choose a VPN provider: There are many VPN providers available, so do some research to find one that fits your needs and budget.
2. Download and install the VPN app: Most VPN providers offer an app that you can download from their website. Follow the provider’s instructions for installation.
3. Launch the VPN app: Once the app is installed, launch it and log in with your account credentials.
4. Choose a server location: Most VPN apps will let you choose a server location from a list of available options. Select a server location that suits your needs.
5. Connect to the VPN: Click the connect button in the VPN app to establish a secure connection. Once connected, your IP address will be hidden and your internet traffic will be encrypted.

Method 2: Install Tor Browser on Mac

1. Go to the Tor Project website: Open your web browser and go to the Tor Project website (https://www.torproject.org/).
2. Click on the “Download Tor” button: On the Tor Project website, click on the “Download Tor” button to download the Tor Browser.
3. Select your language: Choose your preferred language from the drop-down menu.
4. Save the file: After selecting your language, the download should start automatically. Save the file to your preferred location on your Mac.
5. Extract the file: Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file in your Downloads folder and double-click on it to extract it.
6. Move the Tor Browser to the Applications folder: After extracting the file, drag and drop the Tor Browser icon to the Applications folder on your Mac.
7. Open the Tor Browser: After moving the Tor Browser to the Applications folder, double-click on the icon to launch the browser.

Note: It’s important to always download the Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website to ensure that you’re downloading a legitimate version of the software.

How to hide your IP address on Linux

Method 1: Use a VPN on Linux

1. Choose a VPN provider: There are many VPN providers available, so do some research to find one that fits your needs and budget.
2. Install the VPN client: Most VPN providers offer a Linux client that you can download and install. Follow the provider’s instructions for installation.
3. Launch the VPN client: Once the client is installed, launch it and log in with your account credentials.
4. Choose a server location: Most VPN clients will let you choose a server location from a list of available options. Select a server location that suits your needs.
5. Connect to the VPN: Click the connect button in the VPN client to establish a secure connection. Once connected, your IP address will be hidden and your internet traffic will be encrypted.

Method 2: Install Tor Browser on Linux

1. Go to the Tor Project website: Open your web browser and go to the Tor Project website (https://www.torproject.org/).
2. Click on the “Download Tor” button: On the Tor Project website, click on the “Download Tor” button to download the Tor Browser.
3. Select your language: Choose your preferred language from the drop-down menu.
4. Select your operating system: Select “Linux” as your operating system.
5. Choose your version: Select the appropriate version of Tor Browser for your Linux distribution. The two most common versions are “Linux 64-bit” and “Linux 32-bit”.
6. Save the file: After selecting your version, the download should start automatically. Save the file to your preferred location on your Linux computer.
7. Extract the file: Once the download is complete, navigate to the location where you saved the file, right-click on it, and select “Extract Here”.
8. Move the Tor Browser to the Applications folder: After extracting the file, drag and drop the Tor Browser folder to the Applications folder on your Linux computer.
9. Launch the Tor Browser: After moving the Tor Browser folder to the Applications folder, navigate to the Tor Browser folder and double-click on the “start-tor-browser.desktop” file to launch the browser.

Note: It’s important to always download the Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website to ensure that you’re downloading a legitimate version of the software. Additionally, some Linux distributions may have their own repositories for Tor Browser, so be sure to check your distribution’s documentation for more information.

Can I hide my IP address for free?

Yes, there are some free methods available to hide your IP address, such as using the Tor network or a free proxy server. However, it’s important to keep in mind that free services may not offer the same level of security and privacy as paid VPN services. Additionally, free services may have limited server networks, slower speeds, and may not work with certain streaming services or websites. It’s important to do your research and choose a method that fits your needs and level of security. If you’re looking for a reliable and secure method to hide your IP address, it may be worth investing in a reputable VPN service.

What is Tor Network? And how can I use it to protect myself

The Tor network, also known as the Tor Project, is a free and open-source software that allows users to browse the web anonymously. Here’s how it works:

1. The user downloads and installs the Tor software on their computer or mobile device.
2. When the user opens the Tor browser, it connects to a network of volunteer-operated servers, called nodes, that are scattered around the world.
3. Each time the user requests a web page, their connection is randomly routed through three Tor nodes, or relays, before it reaches the destination website.
4. As the user’s traffic travels through the Tor network, each relay strips off a layer of encryption, like peeling off the layers of an onion. This process is known as “onion routing.”
5. By the time the user’s traffic reaches the final Tor node and exits the network, it is no longer recognizable as originating from the user’s IP address. Instead, it appears as if it’s coming from the last Tor node in the chain.
6. Because of the multiple layers of encryption and the randomized routing through different Tor nodes, it’s very difficult for anyone, including internet service providers, governments, and hackers, to trace the user’s online activities back to their IP address.

While the Tor network can provide a high level of anonymity, it’s important to note that it’s not foolproof. Tor users may still be vulnerable to certain types of attacks, such as browser fingerprinting and malware, and some websites may block access to Tor nodes. Additionally, because of the decentralized nature of the Tor network, it can be difficult to trust the operators of the individual nodes. Nonetheless, the Tor network remains a popular and effective tool for online privacy and security.

Tor Network Disadvantages and Limitations

While the Tor network provides a high level of anonymity, there are some disadvantages and limitations to using it:

1. Slower Internet speeds: Because of the multiple layers of encryption and the randomized routing of traffic through different Tor nodes, using the Tor network can result in slower Internet speeds compared to using a regular Internet connection.
2. Limited access to some websites: Some websites may block access from Tor nodes, either because they don’t want to allow anonymous traffic or because they are concerned about abuse or illegal activities.
3. Vulnerability to certain types of attacks: While the Tor network provides strong encryption and anonymity for online activities, it may not protect against all types of attacks. For example, users may still be vulnerable to browser fingerprinting or malware that can compromise their anonymity or security.
4. Trust issues: Because the Tor network is decentralized and run by volunteer operators, it can be difficult to know who is running the individual nodes and whether they can be trusted.
5. Potential for abuse: While the Tor network is designed to protect privacy and anonymity, it has also been used for illegal activities such as cybercrime, terrorism, and child exploitation. This has led to some governments and organizations viewing Tor with suspicion and attempting to block or restrict its use.

Despite these disadvantages, the Tor network remains a valuable tool for protecting online privacy and security, particularly for those who need to avoid surveillance or censorship. However, it’s important to use Tor responsibly and to understand its limitations and potential risks.

How to protect your IP address

In addition to using a VPN to hide your IP address, there are other steps you can take to protect your IP address and online privacy. These include:

• Use a firewall: A firewall can help protect your device from hacking attempts and unauthorized access.
• Use a secure browser: Use a secure browser that has privacy features built-in, such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
• Keep your device and software up-to-date: Regularly update your device and software to ensure that you have the latest security patches and fixes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hiding your IP address is an important step in protecting your online privacy and security. There are several methods available to hide your IP address, including using a virtual private network (VPN), using the Tor network, and using a proxy server. Each method has its own benefits and drawbacks, and it’s important to choose a method that fits your needs and level of security. By hiding your IP address, you can prevent your online activities from being tracked by third-party advertisers, protect your personal data from cybercriminals, and access restricted content or websites. However, it’s important to keep in mind that no method is foolproof, and it’s important to remain vigilant and practice good online security habits to protect yourself from potential threats.

To understand why you should always use a VPN we recommend reading our article : Why you should always use VPN