What is an IP address?

• An IP address is a number assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to your device when you connect to the Internet.
• It functions like a digital ID card for your device
• IP addresses reveal information such as your ISP, hostname, geographical location (country, region, city), and services running on the IP

5 ways to hide your IP address:

1. Use a proxy server. A proxy server Acts as an intermediary between you and the Internet, hiding your real IP address. Proxies are especially useful for web scraping and accessing geo-blocked content.
2. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network): A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for your data and masks your IP address. The article recommends paid VPNs like NordVPN or SurfShark for better security.
3. Use TOR, which routes your traffic through multiple servers for complete anonymity, though it may slow down your connection.
4. Use mobile network: Your IP address can change when you switch between mobile data sessions, making tracking more difficult.
5. Connect to public Wi-Fi: Gives you a different IP address, though this comes with security risks.

Reasons to hide your IP address:

• Hide your location
• Bypass network restrictions
• Avoid IP bans when web scraping
• Block targeted attacks
• Maintain privacy (prevent tracking of online behaviour)

The article also mentions that businesses sometimes hide their IP addresses using reverse proxies to protect their web infrastructure.

Is there any specific aspect of IP address hiding you’d like to know more about?

Steps to Hide Your IP Address

Based on the article, here are the specific steps for each method of hiding your IP address:

1. Using a Proxy Server

1. Choose a proxy service provider (like Oxylabs mentioned in the article)
2. Select the type of proxy you need (residential, data centre, etc.)
3. Configure your browser or application to use the proxy
   
   
   • For Chrome: Go to Settings > Advanced > System > Open proxy settings
   • Enter the proxy server address and port number
4. Verify your IP has changed by checking on an IP lookup website

2. Using a VPN

1. Subscribe to a reputable VPN service (the article recommends NordVPN or SurfShark)
2. Download and install the VPN application
3. Open the VPN app and sign in with your credentials
4. Select a server location (country/city)
5. Connect to the VPN server
6. Verify your connection and new IP address

3. Using TOR

1. Download and install the TOR Browser from the official website
2. Launch the TOR Browser
3. The browser automatically connects to the TOR network
4. Browse normally – your traffic will be routed through multiple servers
5. For extra anonymity, click the shield icon to adjust security settings

4. Using Mobile Network

1. On your smartphone, turn off Wi-Fi
2. Enable mobile data
3. To get a new IP address, toggle aeroplane mode on and off
4. Verify your new IP address using an IP lookup website

5. Connecting to Public Wi-Fi

1. Find a public Wi-Fi hotspot (coffee shop, library, etc.)
2. Connect your device to the public network
3. For additional security, consider using a VPN while on public Wi-Fi
4. Verify your new IP address

For all methods, you can confirm your IP has been successfully hidden by visiting websites like “whatismyip.com” before and after implementing the method to see the change.