A Complete Guide To Hiding Your IP Address

There are many reasons why one must think about hiding their IP address. It isn’t just for secrecy purposes but also to ensure privacy. Your internet provider has all your contact information, and your location can be figured out with the help of the web. Add those two together, and a person will be able to know exactly who you are and what you do.

Someone holding all that information about you is not safe as they can use it any way possible. The best way to make sure that nothing like this can happen is by making sure no one can access your information.

The next question that arises is, how does anyone have the ability to access all this information? The answer is very simple. The websites that you access have the potential to get hold of your IP address, and by tracking that down, they can find out your service provider as well as your location.

The worst part about this is that even if you are using more than two accounts from the same IP address, the person looking at your information will be able to tell they belong to you. No matter how different you keep the profile, the secret will eventually be discovered.

Summing it up, the top reasons to hide your IP address are:

1. No digital footprint: Whatever you do on social media or the internet is recorded in your browser history. It is easily viewable by anyone who is tracking what you are trying to do. To make sure no one can see your digital footprint, you need to hide your IP address as erasing it will be a hassle and ineffective.
2. Hide your location: You don’t want anyone you do not know to know where you live, even if that means which city you live in. This is why it is recommended that you protect your IP address to make sure no one can track you down.
3. Bypassing various issues: A rough example of that is when you are accessing YouTube. Often, you will come across a few videos that are not accessible to your geographical location. When your hide your IP, you will be able to bypass all such bans or blacklisting that restricts you from entering.
4. Preventing web tracking: Every website knows that you paid a visit to it thanks to your IP address. Once you protect yourself, no website will ever be able to say that you paid a visit to it.

To make sure no one gets their hand on your information or gets to know that two different profiles belong to the same IP address, it is important you cover up your tracks. The best way to do that is by hiding your IP address. This is what we will help you do.

Different proxies

One thing that you need to know about is the different types of proxies that are used. This way you will be able to figure out which one you have and fix it accordingly. The main types of IP proxies are:

• Datacenter IP Proxy: When you are using a datacenter IP proxy, you can be sure that it will not be affiliated with any ISP. It will not provide you with any IP address but will help you change or hide your IP address.
• Residential IP Proxy: When you get a residential IP, it will come with an ISP and you will also be provided an internet connection. This IP address will be registered with the service provider as it will be coming from that ISP.

Fully understanding about these proxies will allow you to set up your protection and assist in developing different ways to protect yourself.

Repetitive proxy use or consistency

Remember when you got that email telling you that an unknown source had accessed your account? This usually happens when your Facebook account has been accessed, and an email is sent to the profile holder informing them about an unknown source logging in. This is due to the various security steps taken by social media websites such as phone number verification.

You receive this email when you or anyone else logs into your account from a different IP address. You can try it yourself to check its authenticity. This has been applied to various other websites as well. This is done to ensure that the account and data of the user are protected. The website recognizes your IP, so when you log in from a different IP, it is considered as unusual activity.

Therefore, if you do not want the website to save your IP address, you will need to make sure you log on using other internet connections as well. One simple and non-technical way of doing that is by either changing your location and logging in using another internet service provider or logging in from a different place (which frankly is not at all feasible).

Solutions

Let’s get one thing straight; one of the simplest ways of hiding your IP address is by looking for online solutions. However, while they are secure and efficient to use, they will not be as effective as other solutions. All solution types have been discussed in detail below, so read on to learn more about the various solutions available for you.

Masking your IP address

Using the web server to hide your IP is like using a middle person to help you communicate with someone. There are various websites available online that will help you in this regard, which you can find by searching for “free web proxy.” Once you have chosen your website, log in and you will be asked for the URL of the website you want to visit. When you have put that in, the proxy will lead you to that website.

Your IP address will not be displayed on the website as you will be using an intermediate proxy to do the dirty work for you. Hence, you will be able to surf safely using these mediums.

The only downside to this is that it can seem a bit of a hassle to use and can make the entire process a bit slow.

Switching internet

This can be a problem as it can be very inconvenient at times, and eventually you will be back to your own IP address. Plus, it may also involve traveling from one place to another. By switching internet, we mean using a different internet connection.

Even if you have the same internet service provider as, let’s say, a coffee shop, the IP address of that place will be different than yours. You can use various other internet connections this way to surf safely.

Paid services

This is almost the same as masking services, but instead of using the free services online, you pay for them. There are a multitude of options that you can use, but the only problem is the reliability and quality associated with them. You need to be careful before you use these services and do a thorough research on the providers to make sure that they provide a proper service.

In-home solutions

Before we get into the details of the solution, we would like to add that this solution is one of the best but will also need work as you will be doing it on your own, which will increase the work for you. It will also prove to be more costly than the other methods. However, using this method, you will be able to avoid getting your IP address banned or blacklisted. Plus, the server will be fully operational at all times.

There are a few things that you will need to ensure before you start your own proxy server. You will need to purchase the device, connect it to your computer, and download and install some software. Only after that will you be able to use these services fully.

Datacenter IP solutions

Being able to hide or change your IP address with a datacenter connection is easier, and it also has more solutions. We will discuss them in detail below:

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Usually, this type of network is used by companies that rely heavily on their data to keep their profits up and running. There is a lot of data transfer involved in such cases, which is why they usually establish a VPN connection so that every transfer is kept private and all information is protected. Usually, banks and other financial institutions make great customers for such service providers.

A VPN is not only limited to those types of users, as individuals can also set up their own connection, although it will prove to be costly. The service provider will give you all the instructions needed and will also provide you with an IP address which will be private. You will have to install the client software provided to use these services.

The sad part about using a VPN is that in most cases, a person will not be provided more than one IP address, so even if you have multiple accounts, the IP address will be the same. However, the good part is that your exact geographical location cannot be detected. Also, in this case, you will only be able to use one profile at a time as it does not have the ability to support others.

The best part about using this service is that you have access to many different IP addresses, so you can use a different one every day to browse websites. You will only require one subscription, which means that you will not have to pay anything more than what you have been quoted to be able to get your hands on these IPs.

One concern that people have is that the service provider itself will be able to tell what you have been up to. Rest assured, the connection provided to you is encrypted, which means that even your provider will not know what you have been up to and will not be able to track you down.

One provider may have many clients. They can even quickly count into the hundreds or even thousands. Hence, it is possible that your internet may be a little slow, and there is a high chance that those using the IP address will use it to perform various tasks that can be counted as abuse. This can lead to the address being blacklisted or banned, which means that you will not be able to access some websites.

In conclusion, using a VPN can be a great way to hide yourself, especially if you want to do so on a budget. However, be careful as it can get blacklisted or banned at any time due to other users.

Proxies

This is another way that will help you hide your original IP address. You’ll have to spend a little in the beginning to purchase a proxy server, which you then connect to from your computer. Hence, whenever you are surfing, this proxy will act as an intermediary and show various other IP addresses instead of yours. You have the option of purchasing a proxy server or setting up your own, whichever suits your needs perfectly.

A few things that you need to know before you connect to a proxy are as follows:

1. Authentication: Every proxy will require you to identify or authenticate your login before you can start using it. This is for safety purposes, and though it can be a hassle to do it every time, it will be worth the effort. The proxy can either ask you to enter your email and password or ask you to enter your IP address. If you want complete anonymity, it is reasonable to enter your email and password instead of the IP address.
2. Access: Before you can use the proxy, you will need to decide between shared, private, public and virgin proxies. These will determine the type of connection that will be formed between you and the internet. In shared proxy, you will be sharing it with a limited amount of people. When a private proxy is concerned, only you will have access to that proxy and will be able to use it for web surfing. This type is recommended as it will reduce the chances of the IP getting blocked. A public proxy is one that will be used by everybody and will also be quickly banned. A virgin proxy is one that has never been used before, and you will be the first person to start using it.
3. Connection: This will be categorized as HTTP and SOCKS. There is not much difference between them and they both work equally well, especially when you are working with multiple accounts.

In more detail, there are three main types of proxy servers that a person can use:

Normal proxy

How a normal proxy works is quite simple. The connection to the user port is formed and the server listens on a different port where clients i.e. browsers send requests. Whichever website is accessed for the first time, this proxy server will store the copy of the site and will later show it when another client tries to fetch the same website.

Transparent proxy

This is also a caching server just like the normal proxy server, but the difference lies in the configuration method. It is done in a way that the browser side is always eliminated in the end. The client will never know there is a proxy server working behind the fetching process, thus the transparency. The replies are always made from the local cache, which reduces the load on bandwidth.

Reverse proxy

This proxy does not help the user. It is for the benefit of the web server. It allows them to cache answers from the server and reply to its clients accordingly.

With proxies, you will able to access and use various accounts using only one proxy. By using a proxy, you will also be bale to open a new account with a new proxy every time. This is very advantageous as no will ever get to know that those accounts belong to the same person.

The downside is that your connection will not be encrypted. This means that your service provider can keep track of all that you do on the internet. Hence, you will not be able to hide, so if someone asks your service provider, they will be able to provide all your information. Also, it is easier to tell that you are using a datacenter connection if you use a proxy server.

This option does not cost much, so if you are looking for something good on a budget, you may want to consider this option. Also, if you are looking for one with a strong IP consistency, you can bank on this type as every time you access an account, it will use the same IP address it previously used.

It is a good idea to test the connection from various providers located around you because such connections are not too reliable. The chances are that the device you bought may not work properly, which means that you will need to get it replaced. Not only will your internet connection and work get interrupted, but you will also have to bear the cost of getting a new one.

When you look at a datacenter connection, you can be sure that your information will be protected. However, the only problem is that it is not as reliable or natural as residential proxy solutions (which will be discussed later). On the other hand, it is a cheaper solution to your IP address problems.

Residential IP solutions

When you are looking to connect to web platforms directly, it is best to use a private IP proxy. Though it can be a bit more expensive, it is also very efficient and will work great with your usage. Some of the ways that you can form this connection are given below.

ADSL connection

For this type of connection, you will need to search for a service provider that allows users to have a dynamic IP connection. This will enable you to obtain different IP addresses and use them at your home or workplace.

The best part about this is that no one will even suspect you and finding your geographical location will be next to impossible. The reason is that there is a pool of IPs that are being used by many different people. Everyone will be using these daily for various purposes. The geographical location given by the IPs will be the same location as the people in one city will be using it. Hence, trying to track a person with their IP will be next to impossible. To filter out people from this pool, one will have to check the activity of various accounts, and that too will be tough as a lot of accounts will need to be checked.

Though the details mentioned above may sound tempting, you will experience a few problems with this proxy at some point. This is because this method is not too functional as it is highly dependent on your ISP. One problem that many people face is that they get stuck with the same IP for a very long time and getting a new one will be just as difficult.

A dynamic IP address means that you will be using the same address for browsing the web, but what’s the use of that when someone can make out the link between the different web pages that have been visited. That will allow people to link it to one IP address, which may eventually give out your information. You will not be sure that the address is different every time as this is the job of your ISP.

So, make sure that you use a different IP address every time you log on to a different website. One of the best ways of getting this done is by establishing an ADSL connection. This connection allows you to use a new IP address every time you log in. Technically, this is entirely dependent on the ISP. To make sure that the connection is reliable, you will need to do a little research on the network providers available to you. This way you will be able to know which one is the most efficient and which one you should choose.

Another thing to keep in mind is that this may work well if you have a cable connection. The entire story is dependent on your ISP and how it responds every time a new connection is established. Hence, if you feel that a cable connection is more practical, you can use that option as well.

Whenever you establish an ADSL connection, you will be given a modem or router that will provide the link for you. Make sure that the one you get is working properly and serves its purpose. Check its features and ensure that it ticks your list of requirements.

This modem or router is your primary source of changing your IP address, so remember that you will have to do something to your router or modem to make that change in the IP address.

Mobile Residential IP (MRI) method

Before we begin with the explanation, we need to get one thing straight. Whenever you restart your mobile or cellular connection, a new IP address will be assigned to your GPRS. This means that every time you use the internet after reconnecting, you will be using a different IP address for browsing.

There is still a “but” involved in the above statement. This will not be applicable every time with every mobile network. Sometimes this may not be applied, or the mobile connection that you have may not offer this ability. Therefore, before you do anything, make sure you know the IP address has been changed or that the mobile connection has this ability.

This method may prove to be a bit cheaper than an ADSL connection and can prove to be more efficient as well. Plus, the setup is easier. However, there is not much difference between the two regarding the IP addresses provided to the users.

The process of using this method is very simple:

1. Turn on your computer.
2. Activate the hotspot button on your Android mobile. Make sure that your GPRS is working fine.
3. Locate the internet connection on your computer.
4. Form a link between your computer and phone.
5. Start browsing.

In case restarting the connection does not work, try switching your phone to Airplane mode and back again.

Back-connect proxy

You can turn on a VPN connection on your phone to be able to use a back-connect proxy while using mobile residential IPs. This will allow you to use various IPs through a mobile connection much more efficiently.

The process is pretty simple. You will need to get a VPN which comes with an IP address. After that, you need to form the VPN connection with your computer. Once you have done that, you’ll need to download and install some software. You are now ready to run your show.

Summing up private proxies, they are difficult to get and are confusing as well. Setting it up yourself will prove to be tough, so if you want to avoid all that, it is best that you get a paid service provider to set up the connection for you. The biggest problem that you will face with this is its price. Since there are not many options, the price of what you get is high.

Conclusion

We agree that this entire article has been a bit technical and some of the information might have been difficult to understand, but at the end of the day, knowing that you have the option of protecting your data is what matters.

Hiding your information by hiding your IP address is both easy and tricky, depending on the method you are planning to use. Online methods are the most widely used options for individuals, while many corporations like to use a datacenter for the same purpose. The residential methods are usually used by individuals or small companies and entrepreneurs who are working from home.

To sum up, a datacenter connection will prove to be cheaper and easier to install and use. There are two major ways that you can establish that connection: with a VPN and using proxies. For residential connections, you can either form a connection via an ADSL connection or by using your mobile phone. However, residential ones will be tedious to set up and will prove to be more expensive. There are a few other ways that you can secure your IP address as well. They are easier than the methods mentioned above but may not be just as effective. Either way, we believe that it is easier to pay and get the service provider to install the connection rather than doing it yourself.

There are many reliable service providers that you can find in the vicinity who will be willing to provide you with just the right services. Checking on their work and how they have been performing in the market is a good way of ensuring their credibility. Once you have established a connection, surf away as your IP address will be different and no one will be able to take out your information.