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5 min readHave you ever wondered how the ads you view online correspond with what you've searched before? Or maybe you've seen the "welcome back" pop-up on sites you're not signed into.
This happens when sites make use of cookies, or trackers that attach themselves to your IP address. Every device has an IP address – your phone, computer, security camera, and even your internet-connected coffee machine. Your home network needs to identify each device on your network, so it uses an IP address.
IP, or ‘Internet Protocol’, is a set of standards that govern how your data is sent across the web. Your IP address is linked to your online activity – it connects you to the sites you want to visit and tells the website who is connecting. It can also reveal your geographic location and internet service provider. Even though your IP address cannot directly reveal your identity, it can be used to gather information about your online activity.
There are two types of IP addresses – IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 was the first version of the IP protocol and comprises four 3-digit numbers, formatted like xxx : xxx : xxx : xxx.
Then along came IPv6. One of the main reasons for its popularisation (aside from security improvements) is that there aren't enough IPv4 addresses to assign to new devices. So, they introduced a new system of formatting IP addresses. IPv6 addresses contain eight sets of four values, containing numbers one to nine and letters A through F.
Your IP address is displayed in the widget below. If you’re connected via a mobile network, this address is linked to your device. If you’re connected to a private WiFi connection, this address is linked to your router.
You can also view your IP address by:
Windows users: Searching ‘cmd’ in your computer’s search bar. Type ‘ipconfig’ to display your IP address.
Mac Users: Visiting system preferences and selecting ‘network’ and view your IP address.
iPhone users: Visiting Wi-Fi in settings, and tapping the blue ‘i’ next to your connected network. Scroll down to view your IP address.
To view the IP addresses of other devices, type your router’s gateway IP address into a browser on the same network. Then, navigate to connected devices, where you can view all devices currently connected to the network and their IP addresses.
Your IP address contains identifying information you might not want other people to know. If you’re in a profession where you need extra privacy or you deal with sensitive research, you may want to hide your IP address.
VPNs encrypt your data and hide your IP address by masking it with an alternative one. This makes it harder for third parties to see your IP address, location, and browser history. It can also keep the rest of your online life free from targeted advertising, and allow you to view geo-blocked content. VPNs are the number one choice for secure, hidden browsing.
You’ll want to make sure your VPN has:
Although VPNs provide many benefits, they do not cover all bases, especially when it comes to security. Pair your chosen VPN with quality virus protection software to remain as secure as possible online.
Proxy servers act as an intermediary between your device and the site you're visiting. It's like if you want to send your friend a package, but you don’t want them to see your address. You’ll give it to your neighbour, a proxy server, who will then deliver the package to your friend. Then when they want to thank you for the gift, they’ll pass the message through the same server.
Proxy servers add a degree of separation between you and the internet, so you can keep your IP address hidden and increase your privacy online. They’re also web-based and often free to use, so you don’t have to install any programs on your device.
Most VPNs will encrypt your web traffic. If you decide to go with a proxy server, make sure you read the fine print to ensure it uses encryption to safeguard your information and web traffic.
Encryption keeps your data and web traffic safe while passing through the internet. It takes your information and wraps it in a protective package. Even if a hacker intercepts the package, they won’t be able to see what’s inside without the right key.
Due to the unique and identifiable nature of IP addresses, it makes sense to change them from time to time.
If you're on a home WiFi network, the quickest and easiest way to change your IP address is to do a hard reset of your router. Power off your device, unplug it and keep it unplugged for at least five minutes.
This method will make the router believe that it is a new connection, and will generate a new address once you reconnect.
Another simple and easy way to change your IP address is to connect to a VPN, which will assign you a new IP address while you’re connected.
A proxy server functions in the same way as a VPN when it comes to changing your IP address. As we mentioned it doesn’t encrypt your data, so if you're looking to switch things up for security reasons, we still suggest choosing a VPN.
A proxy server is an external network, so it will only change your IP address while you are connected.
If you’re on iOS: Navigate to settings, and select Wi-Fi. Click on the ‘i’ symbol next to your connected network. Press configure IP and type in your new IP address.
If you’re on Android: Go to settings, and view your connections. Select Wi-Fi, then choose the settings icon next to your connected network. Go to IP and select static, then type in your new IP address.
If you’re using Windows: Visit settings, and click on Network and Internet. Click Ethernet or Wi-Fi, then scroll down to IP settings. Click on IP assignment, and choose the ‘manual’ option from the drop-down menu. Type in your new IP address and save.
If you’re a Mac user: Click on system preferences, select your network connection, and choose ‘configure IPv4’. Then select the manual option, and type in your new IP address.
Have you ever felt like your every move online was being traced? In today’s day and age, it's important to keep your digital identity safe. Even though you may not feel a need to hide your IP address, your data is valuable.
To keep your personal information safe, ensure you keep your passwords strong. Use a password manager to keep track of all your passwords, and do not reuse the same couple of passwords for all your accounts. You should also make use of multi-factor authentication to make it harder for hackers to gain access to your accounts.`
Any device that connects to the internet uses an IP address. No matter what device you use, it's easy to find and hide your address if need be, especially if you’re dealing with sensitive information. If you want to hide your IP address and keep your location away from prying eyes, opt for a VPN or a proxy server.
