If you’re linked to the Internet, you’ve got an Internet Protocol (IP) IP address. What is your IP number say about your company or you and what do you think is something that needs to be kept secret? There are a variety of reasons why a person or company might want to hide your IP address. Privacy is the primary reason. Find out more about the information IP addresses provide (and what they do not) and four simple ways to hide IP addresses.
What is An IP Address?
Every device connected via the web will be equipped with an IP address. The IP address can be described as an array of numbers that can be used to identify an individual device when they connect to the web.
There are two kinds of IP addresses available: private and public.
Public IP addresses are a number that the internet service provider (ISP) gives to an internet router. Private IP addresses are the number that your router assigns to your particular device. Private IP addresses are employed internally. This is how devices connected to the private network connect with each other.
An IP address that is public can provide information on who’s behind the device – specifically their location, and information regarding your ISP. Private IP addresses are not accessible to the public (as the name implies) however you are able to locate an IP address that is private by logging into settings on your device.
Although an IP address does not reveal the precise place of a user’s residence it may reveal their general zip code or area code.
IP addresses are an essential element of how your device interacts with other devices and websites online. To find your IP address that is public it is as easy as typing “What’s my IP address?” into Google. The IP address for public use is split into four parts of numbers with each segment going from 255 to 255. But your IP address isn’t an unchangeable number. It changes depending on the location you are in.
For instance, your public IP address is the way Google determines where you are and also shows the local restaurant when you look up places to eat. Search engines also provide specific results for your location, such as advertisements. For certain people, this could be a violation of privacy. They don’t want search engines or websites to be aware of their location, so they will opt to hide their IP address for this reason. There are other reasons that an individual or company might want to hide their IP address.
Every device connected to the Internet, including mobile phones, computers, and printers, will be equipped with an IP address. A unique IP number is an identifier, but it’s not enough for an external source to determine the identity of an individual. When it is paired with other data it can be used to aid in tracking the identity of a person. The person’s ISP, however, can have an idea of your identity by analyzing an IP address.
Also read: Shared IP Address vs. Dedicated IP Address
4 Ways To Hide Your IP Address
There are many methods to hide your IP address. Each option has advantages and disadvantages.
VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) is possibly the most simple and efficient way to hide your IP address. A VPN hides your IP address from internet access by directing your traffic and then masking it with another one. VPNs secure your information and make it possible to browse the web without divulging your IP address. Many people utilize VPNs for various reasons, like to be able to access public Wi-Fi and to stop adware and marketing from collecting private information regarding their internet browsing habits.
The majority of VPN providers provide a couple of choices:
- Double VPN: Certain companies provide a double VPN, which disguises your IP address twice times, thereby increasing security.
- Dedicated IP: The majority of users share their IPs. However, having a dedicated IP you can have your own. dedicated IPs are provided by VPN providers at an additional cost.
- P2P server: These servers are specifically designed for peer-to-peer file sharing.
Proxy Server
A proxy server is another way to hide your IP address. A proxy server serves to act as an intermediary between the computer you’re using and the website that you are sending traffic to. Proxy servers are typically free, but they can also offer your browsing information for sale and, therefore they may not be the most secure option for protecting your privacy. A proxy server allows you to transmit your data through an intermediary that is a third party. A VPN in contrast can provide a further layer of security, giving you the ability to protect your data.
Tor
TOR which stands for “The Onion Router”,” is a completely free and open-source application that allows users to browse the web without revealing their identity. TOR hides the IP address of the user through an array of layers that are similar to the onion and offer a secure level of privacy for users.
One of the issues one issue TOR can is that it could slow down web activity. This could make it difficult to use for specific applications, specifically for businesses that rely on speed and effectiveness. In addition, some ISPs are able to detect TOR use on the basis of lag time.
To utilize TOR the application, download the application just like any other web browser, after which follow directions within the browser.
Also read: Top 10 VPNs for Internet Security
Public Wi-Fi
Utilizing public Wi-Fi with your device can change your IP address. This isn’t the best method to hide an IP address, but it does provide a layer of security. To connect to public Wi-Fi, you’ll need an open space like the library, coffee shop, or airport that provides access to public Wi-Fi and connects it.
If you examine all IP addresses that are connected to a Wi-Fi network, each individual will have their own IP address but only the final part of the address will be different. It is possible to think of this as a similarity to a business phone number that has extensions specific to each person. The first block of numbers is the same, and the last number is unique to each individual.
The Reasons to Hide Your IP Address
There are a myriad of reasons for a business or an individual may want to hide your IP address. The most important is privacy reason. A business could be conducting sensitive research and want to limit the possibility of a breach or leak. They could be sharing highly sensitive data online and would like to reduce the possibility that hackers or competitors could be able to trace their internet activities via the IP addresses of their users.
The reasons to hide your IP address are the same for both businesses and individuals. Both could have privacy issues and marketing concerns or trade secrets information that they want to protect.
Bottom Line
An IP address is a way to identify the activities you conduct on the internet. While the IP address of your public IP does not reveal your exact physical location your ISP can also identify an individual through your IP address. There are a variety of privacy-related reasons businesses and individuals need to hide their IP addresses. Wi-Fi in public places can hide the IP address of your computer.
But, if a person or business wants to hide their identity when they are at home or at the office, they’ll need to utilize an intermediary server such as a VPN, and an untraceable browser like the TOR.
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