How To Hide IP Addresses

Think of IP addresses like mailing addresses for devices. They tell your Internet Service Provider, would-be hackers, and websites your devices’ approximate locations and could give away more information about your online activity. For these reasons, many people want to hide their IP addresses but aren’t sure where to start. In this article, we’ll go over how to hide your IP addresses across different devices and operating systems.

What Is An IP Address?

Before diving into the hiding techniques, let’s break down what an IP address actually does for you. IP stands for internet protocol, and it’s essentially a device’s identifying number that’s associated with a specific computer or network of computers. Using the IP address, computers can receive information. However, IP addresses can also be used to track the user’s approximate location and web activity, so hiding is a must if you want to remain private online.

» Further Reading: How to get a UK IP address

What Is An IP Address?

Before diving into the hiding techniques, let’s break down what an IP address actually does for you. IP stands for internet protocol, and it’s essentially a device’s identifying number that’s associated with a specific computer or network of computers. Using the IP address, computers can receive information. However, IP addresses can also be used to track the user’s approximate location and web activity, so hiding is a must if you want to remain private online.

» Further Reading: How to get a UK IP address

Why Should I Hide My IP Address?

Our research on VPN usage shows that for nearly half of VPN users, general security and privacy were the greatest reasons for using the VPN. While VPNs aren’t the only way to hide your IP address, we’re guessing that if you want to hide it, it’s for similar reasons. Here are the most compelling reasons to mask your IP address:

• Anti-tracking: With increased tracking sophistication, hiding your IP address helps you avoid being followed by targeted ads and prevents companies from building detailed profiles of your online behavior.
• Secure networks: Remote work remains prevalent with over 40 percent of workers doing so in some industries.2 For those handling sensitive information from home offices, hiding your IP address adds an essential layer of security to protect confidential data.
• Bypass government restrictions: People in places with high levels of internet censorship might want to hide their IP address in order to access banned websites or apps.
• More privacy: Journalists, activists, and anyone doing sensitive work online will appreciate the anonymity of hidden, private IP addresses.
• Stream: Finally, hidden and replaced IP addresses allow users to stream content in other countries’ libraries, be it on Netflix, Hulu, or any streaming service. If you want to hide your IP address with a VPN so you can stream more freely, check out our lists of the best VPNs for Netflix, the best VPNs for Hulu, the best VPNs for Prime Video and the best VPNs for Disney+.
• Avoiding censorship: Depending on the country you’re in, you may encounter censorship. Hiding your IP address can help you bypass that and share your opinions freely. You can also access certain news and information from different parts of the world that may be censored in the country you’re in.
• Secure public WiFi use: Sometimes we have no choice but to connect to a public WiFi network. Hiding your IP address can help keep your data safe from cybercriminals who might be monitoring the network.
• Better pricing: Airlines and e-commerce sites often display different prices based on location. Hiding your IP address can reveal these price discrepancies and potentially save you hundreds on flights and hotel bookings.
• Safe torrenting: By keeping your IP address hidden, you can better stay under the radar from repercussions related to torrenting.
• Professional use: With the rise in ransomware attacks targeting businesses, companies can reduce their risks by hiding IP addresses.3 This improves privacy and security when dealing with confidential information.

Why Should I Hide My IP Address?

Our research on VPN usage shows that for nearly half of VPN users, general security and privacy were the greatest reasons for using the VPN. While VPNs aren’t the only way to hide your IP address, we’re guessing that if you want to hide it, it’s for similar reasons. Here are the most compelling reasons to mask your IP address:

• Anti-tracking: With increased tracking sophistication, hiding your IP address helps you avoid being followed by targeted ads and prevents companies from building detailed profiles of your online behavior.
• Secure networks: Remote work remains prevalent with over 40 percent of workers doing so in some industries.2 For those handling sensitive information from home offices, hiding your IP address adds an essential layer of security to protect confidential data.
• Bypass government restrictions: People in places with high levels of internet censorship might want to hide their IP address in order to access banned websites or apps.
• More privacy: Journalists, activists, and anyone doing sensitive work online will appreciate the anonymity of hidden, private IP addresses.
• Stream: Finally, hidden and replaced IP addresses allow users to stream content in other countries’ libraries, be it on Netflix, Hulu, or any streaming service. If you want to hide your IP address with a VPN so you can stream more freely, check out our lists of the best VPNs for Netflix, the best VPNs for Hulu, the best VPNs for Prime Video and the best VPNs for Disney+.
• Avoiding censorship: Depending on the country you’re in, you may encounter censorship. Hiding your IP address can help you bypass that and share your opinions freely. You can also access certain news and information from different parts of the world that may be censored in the country you’re in.
• Secure public WiFi use: Sometimes we have no choice but to connect to a public WiFi network. Hiding your IP address can help keep your data safe from cybercriminals who might be monitoring the network.
• Better pricing: Airlines and e-commerce sites often display different prices based on location. Hiding your IP address can reveal these price discrepancies and potentially save you hundreds on flights and hotel bookings.
• Safe torrenting: By keeping your IP address hidden, you can better stay under the radar from repercussions related to torrenting.
• Professional use: With the rise in ransomware attacks targeting businesses, companies can reduce their risks by hiding IP addresses.3 This improves privacy and security when dealing with confidential information.

iOS

1. Open your Settings.
2. Click on the Wi-Fi.
3. Look at the right of the name of the Network, for a circular button with a lowercase “i” in it.
4. Scroll down to find your IP address under IPv4 Address.

Mac

1. Under System Settings, hit Network.
2. Select your Wi-Fi network.
3. Click on Details.
4. Check under where it says IPv4 address to find your IP.

Android

Last but not least, on your Android phone:

1. Hit Settings.
2. Click About.
3. Click Status.
4. Choose IP address.

iOS

1. Open your Settings.
2. Click on the Wi-Fi.
3. Look at the right of the name of the Network, for a circular button with a lowercase “i” in it.
4. Scroll down to find your IP address under IPv4 Address.

Mac

1. Under System Settings, hit Network.
2. Select your Wi-Fi network.
3. Click on Details.
4. Check under where it says IPv4 address to find your IP.

Android

Last but not least, on your Android phone:

1. Hit Settings.
2. Click About.
3. Click Status.
4. Choose IP address.