There are many reasons why you might want to make your IP address invisible. For instance, you wish to remain anonymous when in forums, when reporting, using social media or Torrenting. Even to mask your identity, so your ISP doesn’t know what you get up to online.
So how do you hide your IP address away from others? We will answer this question here, and it is by using a VPN aka a Virtual Private Network. Therefore, the first question to answer is what a Virtual Private Network is.
IMAGE: PIXABAY
What Is A VPN?
A VPN is a service that users sign up for that provides numerous benefits when online. A plan is taken out by paying on a monthly or yearly basis. One of the main advantages of using the service is that the IP address of the user is masked and replaced by one of the connected server.
The second benefit is that information between the user’s device and the internet is encrypted using military-grade encryption. In short, think of a virtual tunnel being placed between your device and the internet. Any information that goes down the tunnel is unreadable until it reaches its final destination.
How Does A VPN Make An IP Address Invisible
Making an IP address invisible is relatively simple. Having done so, not even your own ISP will be able to tell what you get up to online. To mask your own IP address, simply follow the steps outlined below.
Step One – Sign Up With A Provider
First, choose a VPN provider offering the service. There are numerous providers out there with some of the most popular being ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost. Decide which plan you want, monthly or yearly then go ahead and sign up.
Step Two – Download Apps To Your Devices
Providers offer apps, and these are how you can connect your device to the provider’s servers to hide your IP. So, choose any apps for devices that you want to hide your IP address on and download them to the devices. You are not limited to the apps; you can install them on any device you want and even use simultaneous connections up to the providers limit.
Step Three – Install The VPN App On Your Device
Install the app on your device and sign in using the credentials you made when signing up for the service, your user name, and password.
Step Four – Choose A Server And Connect
When signed in, you will see the main dashboard of the app. This is the part of the app where you can choose a server from any of the servers supported by the VPN provider. Providers offer servers around the world.
Mainly, you could be located in the United States but take on an IP address from a server located in the United Kingdom, for example. To anyone looking, it looks as though you are actually located in the UK. This means you remain anonymous as your real IP address is masked.
Step Five – Use The Internet With An Alternative IP Address
You are now free to use the internet using an alternative IP address. As you are anonymous, you do not have to worry about your ISP finding out you are downloading Torrent files. You can also overcome restricted websites and stream from other countries, and speak openly and freely on social media or forums without fear of reprisal.
If you are interested in even more technology-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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