How to Hide Your IP Address in 2023 — 8 Ways, 7 Are Free
Proxy servers can bypass geoblocks but lack security features
How to hide my vpn address
Об этой странице
Мы зарегистрировали подозрительный трафик, исходящий из вашей сети. С помощью этой страницы мы сможем определить, что запросы отправляете именно вы, а не робот. Почему это могло произойти?
Эта страница отображается в тех случаях, когда автоматическими системами Google регистрируются исходящие из вашей сети запросы, которые нарушают Условия использования. Страница перестанет отображаться после того, как эти запросы прекратятся. До этого момента для использования служб Google необходимо проходить проверку по слову.
Источником запросов может служить вредоносное ПО, подключаемые модули браузера или скрипт, настроенный на автоматических рассылку запросов. Если вы используете общий доступ в Интернет, проблема может быть с компьютером с таким же IP-адресом, как у вас. Обратитесь к своему системному администратору. Подробнее.
Проверка по слову может также появляться, если вы вводите сложные запросы, обычно распространяемые автоматизированными системами, или же вводите запросы очень часто.
How to Hide Your IP Address in 2023 — 8 Ways, 7 Are Free
There are many ways to hide your IP address, but not all of them are safe or effective. Some put your privacy and security at greater risk, while others can considerably slow your speeds. To make your life easier, I tested several ways to hide your IP address and found 5 that work reliably. The key is to find a method that works best for your situation.
Of all 5 methods, the easiest and safest is to use a VPN. It’s a simple app that hides your IP address in 1 click. Plus, it encrypts your connection and doesn’t significantly slow your speeds, like some of the other methods do.
ExpressVPN is my top pick for hiding your IP address. It gives you a choice of IPs from 94 countries and can even disguise the fact that you’re using a VPN. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, too, so you can hide your IP with ExpressVPN risk-free. If you’re not impressed, you can claim a full refund.
Quick Guide: How to Hide Your IP Address With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Choose your IP changing method. I recommend the VPN method because it’s the easiest and you can choose from thousands of IPs to mask your own. My top pick is ExpressVPN.
- Configure and run the software. Or, if you’re not using IP-changing software, just connect to the new WiFi hotspot.
- Browse the web with a new IP. Once your connection is established, you’re free to browse the web with a different IP address, meaning yours is effectively masked.
What’s an IP Address and Why Should I Hide It?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique string of numbers and decimals that identify your device when you connect to the internet. It’s assigned to you by your internet service provider (ISP) and serves as your online identity, revealing information about your location and browsing habits. Here are some of the key benefits to hiding your IP address:
- Avoid government surveillance. In 5/9/14 Eyes countries, ISPs must track and store all user data for up to 2 years. By hiding your IP, you make it more difficult for your ISP to keep tabs on your internet usage. That doesn’t give you a free pass to engage in illegal activities; rather, it provides a layer of privacy for lawful users who wish to avoid unnecessary surveillance.
- Privacy. Your ISP, search engines, and websites can use the information tied to your IP address to log your visit and track your online behavior, contributing to a profile they can sell to third parties. This data is often used for targeted advertising, which can be intrusive and annoying. Instead of leaving a digital footprint with every site you visit, you become anonymous.
- Protection against cybercriminals. Cybercriminals and hackers can use your IP address as a means to launch targeted attacks. That could range from hacking your accounts to even carrying out Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks if they deem you a worthy target. When you hide your IP, you reduce this risk significantly.
- Access geo-restricted content. Changing your IP address helps you bypass geographical restrictions on websites, apps, and other online services. A different IP address makes it appear like you’re in a different location, thereby unlocking content that’s available there. For instance, you can watch a region-restricted sports event, or access impartial news outlets if you’re in a country with oppressive censorship.
5 Best Ways to Hide Your IP Address in 2023
1. Use a VPN — The Easiest and Safest Way to Hide Your IP
A VPN can change your location so you can buy cheaper flights and hotels, and access restricted content
Pros: Hides your IP and browsing activity on all apps across multiple devices, strong security and privacy features, lets you bypass geoblocks and tough firewalls, allows secure and private torrenting, lets you choose from thousands of IP addresses, access to 24/7 customer support
Cons: Good VPNs cost money, can slow your speeds slightly
A VPN is a popular and simple way to hide your IP address. It’s an app that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a private server. The VPN server’s IP address is used instead of your own until you disconnect from it.
Since VPN servers are usually spread out all over the world, you can pick and choose an IP address from many different countries. This allows you to access geo-restricted streaming services as well as apps, websites, and games that might not be available everywhere. It also makes it harder to trace your online activity back to you, such as torrenting.
Another benefit of a VPN is that it encrypts your connection so your online activity is secure. Basically, it adds a level of privacy to anything you do online. A solid VPN does this with a few different features. Firstly, by protecting you against DNS, IPv4/6, and WebRTC leaks so your IP address always stays hidden. Another useful feature is a kill switch, which cuts your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, so it doesn’t reveal your real IP.
All that being said, not every VPN is trustworthy, so it’s important to choose one that is. For example, it should adhere to a proven no-logs policy. While your IP is hidden using a VPN service, the VPN provider can still see your IP — a no-logs policy means your IP (or any identifiable information) is never kept by the VPN, so it can’t be shared.
Most VPNs are subscription-based, so you make a monthly or annual payment to use it. The amount is usually just a few dollars per month, making them very affordable. VPNs also tend to come with a money-back guarantee, which lets you use them for free for a limited time. That allows you to claim a full refund (usually within 30 days of purchase) if you’re not satisfied.
How to Hide Your IP With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Download a VPN.My favorite is ExpressVPN because you can choose IPs in 3,000 countries to effectively hide your own. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Choose a server. They are organized by location.
- Connect to the server. Usually, just clicking on the server location will automatically connect you to your new IP, so you’re good to go in 1 click.
2. Connect to a Proxy Server — Good for Bypassing Geoblocks, but Not Super Safe
Proxy servers can bypass geoblocks but lack security features
Pros: Mostly free, easy to use, and bypasses geoblocks
Cons: Lacks security and privacy features, overcrowded servers that can have slow speeds, only hides your IP in your browser
Similar to a VPN, SSL, SSH, or SOCKS, proxy servers hide your IP address by sitting between your device and the sites you visit. So when you visit a website, it sees your proxy server’s IP address instead of your own. A decent proxy service lets you choose from several different server locations, and they tend to be popular because they’re usually free. Another type of proxy is an IP scrambler, which gives you a different IP with every connection.
But where a proxy server falls short is its lack of security and privacy features. Since they don’t encrypt your connection and don’t cover DNS traffic, unwanted third parties can still see your online activity and collect data about you. They’re also more susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks because they lack authentication that VPNs have.
I also experienced slow speeds when using hide.me’s proxy because the server was most likely overcrowded. This is very common with free services since they don’t have enough funds to offer global networks. And since they’re application-specific, they will only hide your IP in your browser, unlike a VPN that hides it across all apps.
How to Hide Your IP With a Proxy in 3 Easy Steps
- Choose a proxy server. I recommend hide.me.
- Go to your proxy server’s website. Then, enter the URL of the site you want to access in the proxy server entry form, choose a location (if available), and press “Enter” to load the page.
- Enjoy your new IP address. You’ll use the website in the same browser window, but using the IP of the proxy server.
3. Use the Tor Browser — Multiple Layers of Encryption, but Very Slow Speeds
You can use Tor to access regular clear web pages as well as the hidden dark web
Pros: High level of encryption and privacy, free to use
Cons: Very slow speeds, can’t bypass geoblocks, only encrypts browser traffic, unavailable on iOS, associated with criminal activity
Tor (The Onion Router) browser sends your internet traffic through a volunteer-run network. It encrypts your traffic by sending it through multiple servers called “nodes”, which add extra layers of encryption. The layers are like an onion, hence the name. Websites can only see the IP of the last server you use, so it hides your IP address.
Even though the Tor Browser is free, a big drawback is that its encryption layers significantly slow you down. It took me a little over 10 seconds to load a basic webpage, while activities like streaming and downloading became a chore.
Another issue is its association with criminal activity since it’s the main portal to access the dark web. Plus, your internet service provider (ISP) can detect the use of Tor, although it won’t be able to see your browsing.
But that can be a disadvantage; if your browsing is perfectly innocent, your ISP and government agencies may suspect you’re engaging in illegal activities. So to use Tor safely, it’s recommended to use a VPN anyway to hide your use of the browser.
How to Hide Your IP With Tor in 3 Easy Steps
- Download the Tor browser. Go to the Tor website and download the installation file for your device.
- Install the Tor browser. Click on the download file and follow the installation instructions.
- Enjoy secure browsing with a new IP. Open the Tor browser and use it like your regular browser, knowing your real IP address is hidden.
4. Create a Hotspot on Your Smartphone — A Readily Available Solution, but Can Cost Money
Pros: Easy to set up, good to use temporarily
Cons: Can’t bypass geoblocks, doesn’t change your virtual location, no privacy or security measures, uses data that can cost money
If your actual IP is compromised, or you don’t want to use it temporarily, then using a hotspot on your smartphone is easy to set up and can work well. I just needed to go to my phone settings to enable my hotspot and then connect my laptop to it, which took me a little over a minute.
While this method changes your IP address, there are 3 downsides. Firstly, your mobile carrier can see all of your online activity, so it’s not private. Secondly, you can’t bypass geoblocks because your online location won’t change. And lastly, it can quickly chew up your mobile data and can become costly. One way of keeping tabs on your data usage is with a prepaid (pay-as-you-go) SIM card.
How to Hide Your IP With a Mobile Hotspot in 3 Easy Steps
- Turn on your personal hotspot. Go to your phone settings, turn off your WiFi, and enable your personal hotspot.
- Connect your device. Locate the hotspot on your primary device and connect to it.
- Enjoy your new IP address. Use your smartphone data to browse the internet with the IP assigned by your mobile carrier.
5. Use Public WiFi — Mostly Free to Use, But Leaves Your Connection Vulnerable
Pros: Easy to set up, good to use temporarily
Cons: Can’t bypass geoblocks, doesn’t change your virtual location, no privacy or security measures, uses data that can cost money
Changing your WiFi network can hide your real IP address — even if you switch to a public network. If you can’t access a website or service and have public WiFi access, then this option can be a short-term fix.
But it’s not the safest option because public WiFi networks are an easy target for hackers. Since these networks lack encryption and authentication, cybercriminals can use them to easily obtain sensitive data, such as passwords and credit card details. Other issues include slow speeds due to overcrowding and blocking certain media such as video.
Best VPNs to Hide Your IP From Anywhere in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Automatic Obfuscation to Beat Tough Firewalls and Change Your Location
Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested September 2023
Available on:
Windows Mac Android iOS
Chrome Router Smart TV More
Try ExpressVPN >
www.ExpressVPN.com
| Best Feature | Safe to use anywhere, even in countries with strict internet censorship |
| Server Network | 3,000 servers in 94 countries |
| Speeds | Extremely fast |
| Can Access | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, SkyTV, (HBO) Max, DAZN, Peacock TV, ESPN |
ExpressVPN doesn’t just hide your IP — it can also hide your use of VPN. Deep packet inspection (DPI) is a cutting-edge form of blocking that can identify VPN metadata. Schools, workplaces, public networks, and even whole countries like China use DPI. When ExpressVPN detects it, it scrambles your data further to evade detection.
RAM-based servers automatically wipe all user data on reboot. Plus, leak protection ensures your actual IP address isn’t exposed. I tested 5 US and 4 UK servers, and there were no IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks, so my real IP address was always hidden. In addition, the kill switch keeps you safe even if the VPN connection drops.
A single ExpressVPN account lets you hide your IP on up to 8 devices
ExpressVPN also has really impressive speeds. Usually a VPN will slow your base internet speed a bit because of the encryption (10 to 20% is normal) and you’ll experience bigger drops the farther away the server is. I didn’t have speed drops of more than 9% while using ExpressVPN’s US servers — even on ones more than 8,000KM from my real location.
It isn’t the cheapest service, but you can save big with a long-term plan. Best of all, you can try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy, it’s easy to get your money back. I tested this myself using 24/7 live chat. After answering a quick question on user satisfaction, my request was approved, and I got my money back 3 days later.
ExpressVPN Offer September 2023: For a limited time only, you can get an ExpressVPN subscription for up to 49% off ! Don’t miss out!
Useful Features
- No-logs policy. Some VPNs track users’ IP addresses, browsing data, and other personal information. ExpressVPN’s strict no-logs policy has been fully audited and court-proven on multiple occasions, so you can be sure your data remains private.
- IP Address Checker. Once you connect to a server, you can check your new IP address and see its location on a map.
- Proprietary Lightway protocol. Most VPNs use standard open-source protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN, but ExpressVPN has built its exclusive Lightway from the ground up. It uses around 4 times less code than WireGuard, meaning your connections are lightweight, fast, and highly secure.
- Threat Manager. Hiding your IP is great for privacy, but you’re still vulnerable to malware and viruses. ExpressVPN continuously updates its blocklist of dangerous sites and files to help keep your devices free of threats.
2. CyberGhost — NoSpy Servers Hide Your IP Address and Keep Your Connection Private
Available on:
Windows Mac Android iOS
Chrome Router Smart TV More
Try CyberGhost VPN >
www.cyberghostvpn.com
| Best Feature | Privately managed servers keep your IP and data hidden |
| Server Network | 9,300 servers in 93 countries |
| Speeds | Very fast |
| Can Access | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, SkyTV, (HBO) Max, DAZN, Peacock TV, ESPN |
Highly secure NoSpy servers are kept in CyberGhost’s private data center and provide extra security since only its staff can access them. Many VPNs store servers in shared facilities, posing the risk of third-party interference, but that’s not possible with NoSpy servers.
Further, its HQ is in Romania, outside of the 5/9/14 Eyes alliance, so it is under no obligation to share any data with government agencies.
NoSpy servers were 24% slower than CyberGhost’s regular location in Bucharest, but worth the extra privacy
Its quick connections ensure a seamless online experience free of interruptions. In my tests of its US server speeds, I observed only a 16% drop in my download speed. While it may not be as swift as ExpressVPN, it’s still remarkable. The speed was ample for streaming The Out-Laws on Netflix in Ultra High Definition without buffering or lag.
CyberGhost also treats its users to specialty streaming servers optimized for specific regions and platforms. For example, its Disney Plus US server will give you a US IP address and effortless streaming platform access. CyberGhost continuously maintains these servers to ensure they’re not blocked, and you also get P2P downloading servers.
The long-term plans come with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. That way, you can test CyberGhost risk-free and run as many leak tests as you like, so you know it’s legit.
September 2023 Deal: CyberGhost is currently offering 83% off its most popular plan! Take advantage of this offer now and save more on your CyberGhost subscription.
Useful Features
- Built-in leak protection and kill switch. You don’t even have to activate CyberGhost’s kill switch and leak protection because they’re automatic. They will keep your IP address hidden from your very first connection — it proved effective as my tests turned up zero leaks.
- Dedicated IPs. Do you want your own personal IP that no one else can use? CyberGhost can give you that for a small additional fee. I found them a little faster than the regular servers since no one else can use them, plus you don’t have to fill out any CAPTCHA tests (a minor drawback with using a VPN).
- Block content. CyberGhost’s malware blocker stops dangerous files at DNS level, so they never even reach your devices. Along with hiding your IP, it’s an excellent combination for private and secure browsing.
- Supports 7 devices. I didn’t have to log out of any devices when testing CyberGhost since it supports multiple connections.