Why is your IP Address Important
For cybersecurity , the IP address is one of the most important pieces of information that you can have. This is because it uniquely identifies your computer, tablet, or phone and allows sites to send you content as well as track where you’re coming from and what device you’re using when they serve up their pages.
This, of course, means that your IP address is valuable for anyone who wants to know where you are, what you’re doing online, and how they can target content to you. So when someone is trying to scam you or steal your information, the first thing they want to do is track down your IP address so they know where it’s coming from. Luckily, there are tools out there that can help protect your online privacy by hiding your real IP address from sites.
Common IP Address Hiding Tools
There are a number of different tools that can help you hide your IP address from hackers and scammers. Some of these tools are browser extensions, while others are standalone programs that run in the background. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular IP address hiding tools:
- VPNs: Virtual private networks (VPNs) are one of the most popular ways to hide your IP address from hackers and scammers. VPNs work by routing all of your internet traffic through an encrypted “tunnel” that runs between your computer and a server hosted somewhere else in the world. This makes it impossible for anyone else to see what sites you’re visiting or what data is being transferred between them. You can also use VPNs to access geo-restricted content like Netflix, Hulu and BBC iPlayer while traveling abroad.
- Proxy Servers: Proxy servers also route all of your internet traffic through a remote server, but they do so without encrypting it. This means that anyone with access to the proxy server’s logs can see what sites you’re visiting and what data is being transferred between them.
- Tor Browser: Tor is a network of thousands of volunteer-operated servers that route your internet traffic through a series of encrypted layers. This makes it impossible for anyone else to see what sites you’re visiting or what data is being transferred between them.
Can You Change It?
Yes, you can change your IP address. However, doing so will not protect your privacy from the websites that host ads or trackers. But, just calling your ISP and asking them to change your IP address is a bad idea. They might just tell you that they can’t do it, or they could charge you for the service. If you’re lucky, they might be able to change your IP address. Regardless, even if they do, it’s not going to keep you safe online.
Your ISP knows who you are and where you live so they can provide service. They also store logs of your activity that can be accessed by law enforcement or other government agencies if necessary.
The best way to be truly safe is to use a VPN. Regardless, there are a host of other cybersecurity concerns that might be worth going over. Our article database at Arruda Group can provide you with plenty of helpful, relevant information on cybersecurity and how best to protect yourself online.
