How to Hide Your IP Address

Understand how IP addresses work. Every time you access the internet, your device is assigned a unique sequence of numbers known as an IP address (Internet Protocol). This IP address is transmitted to the servers you visit, allowing them to log your activity and track your online actions.

Understand the basic concept of proxies. A proxy is a server you connect to in order to 'exit' the network. You connect to the proxy and route your traffic through it, hiding your IP address and making it appear as if the traffic is coming from the proxy server.

Learn about the different types of proxies. As you explore, you'll encounter various types of proxies, each offering different levels of anonymity and security. Here are the four main types:

• Web proxies: The most common and straightforward way to use a proxy. You connect to a server through your browser to browse anonymously.
• Open proxies: These are proxy servers that are accidentally left open or have been compromised by hackers. They are often unsafe and may contain malware. It is recommended to avoid using open proxies.
• Anonymous networks: These are private networks operated by users who donate bandwidth. They are generally slow but relatively safe since anyone can host bandwidth.
• Paid proxy software like IP Hider Ever, which is used to hide your IP address, allowing you to conceal your internet traffic and real location while browsing. Software like IP Hider Ever ensures that no one can track your online activities. You can browse freely without worrying about exposing your information. However, the question remains: do you trust the company behind the software?
• VPN (Virtual Private Network): A private network where you connect directly to a proxy server maintained by a proxy company or organization.
• Proxy Chain: Currently, the most difficult VPNs to trace use TOR, where all network traffic is redirected through TOR. This redirection is easily done with iptables integrated into Linux. If you don’t want to set up a proxy chain yourself or are using Windows or OS, you can download software like iProxyEver as an alternative.

Download and install VPN (Virtual Private Network) software. You will need administrative access on your computer to do this. VPN software typically requires registration. In return, you gain access to thousands of anonymous IP addresses.

• VPNs offer a higher level of encryption compared to web proxies.
• VPNs work with all network traffic on your computer, including messaging and file transfers, whereas web proxies only work through your browser.

Set up a VPN manually. Instead of downloading software, you can manually enter the connection details for a VPN. You can set up a VPN from the Windows control panel by selecting Internet Options. You will still need an IP address to connect.

• Under the Connections tab, select Add VPN. This will open the VPN window. Enter the IP address you are connecting to.
• If the VPN requires a username and password, you will need to enter them in the corresponding fields.

Find a list of proxies. Web proxies are useful when you're not using your own computer, as everything is done through the browser, making this method independent of the computer's operating system. Your IP address is hidden because only the proxy server's IP is transmitted to the website.

• Some websites list usable proxies. Proxy.org is an ideal starting point and frequently updates its list.
• Proxy listing sites like Proxify may be blocked on school or office networks. Access the site at home and copy down 10-15 proxy pages to try on a restricted computer.
• Heavily used proxies are often detected and blocked, so you should change them daily.
• Using a proxy can significantly slow down your browser. Since traffic is rerouted through the proxy, translated, and then sent to your location, loading videos and websites may take longer than usual.

Choose a proxy site. If one site is blocked, try another. When selecting a site from the list, opt for those geographically closer to your location to minimize speed reduction.

Select the URL box. Enter the address of the website you want to visit. Since the proxy site translates the data of the website you wish to access, the site may not load correctly. Watching videos might be difficult. In such cases, try a different proxy site.

• As long as you continue browsing through the proxy, your IP address will remain hidden from the websites you visit.

Configure your browser to surf the web through a proxy server. Instead of visiting a proxy site and entering the URL into their form, you can configure your web browser to automatically hide your IP address through a proxy server. This type of service requires downloading and installing a browser plugin. For example, the Switchproxy extension for Mozilla Firefox hides the user's entire IP address and randomly assigns a different one.