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What is an IP address

First, let's understand what it is. An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a number given to you by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If your device, from a phone to a washing machine, is connected to the internet- it’s got an IP.

Similar to how postcodes (or Zip codes for anyone outside the United Kingdom) are for a postal address, an IP address is similar. It tells internet traffic where to go and how to connect. IPs come in 2 varieties: IPV4 and IPV6, here’s the difference:

An IPv4 address is 32 bits long; however, this limits the number of possible addresses to around 4 billion unique. For example, an IPv4 address looks like this:

192.168.0.1

IPv6, the next generation of IP addresses, is based on 128 bits. This leaves us with around 18 quintillion addresses (and makes it unlikely to run out anytime soon). For example, an IPv6 address looks like this:

2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

IPv6 addresses are significantly longer and allow for hierarchical allocation, which helps ensure that the enormous pool of addresses is efficiently distributed. Unlike IPv4, IPv6 provides enough addresses to assign a unique one to virtually every connected device and beyond.

It’s a unique string of numbers assigned to you through the ISP. If you’ve ever wanted to check the IP address of your device, you can use services such as what is my IP or ipinfo.

IP addresses are visible to everybody on the internet and can be used to track a variety of things about you and your activity online:

• Your location
• Which internet provider you’re using
• The device you’re using to connect to the internet

Why hide your IP address?

If you’re looking to increase your privacy, hiding your IP address is a great place to start. It prevents websites, advertisers, and potentially malicious actors from identifying your location, tracking your activity, or profiling your behavior online. Here are three ways you can hide your IP in 2024:

Use a proxy

Whether you chose to use a residential proxy or an ISP/DC proxy, you’re in the right place to start prioritising your privacy.

A proxy server has its own IP address, which will act as an intermediary between you and the internet. When you send a request to access a website or online service, your request is first routed through the proxy server. The proxy server forwards your request to the target destination (e.g., a website) on your behalf, using its own IP address instead of yours. Once the target responds, the proxy server returns the response to you. This process hides your original IP address from the destination and makes it appear as though the request came from the proxy server.

Residential proxies, in particular, provide unique benefits, as they use real IP addresses assigned to physical devices. This makes them highly effective for bypassing geo-restrictions, scraping data, and automating online tasks without being flagged.

Businesses often rely on residential proxies to monitor competitors, conduct market research, and scrape search engine data at scale. Individuals use them to access region-locked content or avoid rate limits on websites. With their ability to offer both speed and reliability, residential proxies are a powerful solution for anyone looking to prioritising privacy, improve efficiency, and access online sites unrestricted.

Use a VPN

The next way to hide your IP address is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN works by creating an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, routing all your traffic through a secure server before it reaches its destination. This ensures that your real IP address is hidden and replaced with the VPN server's IP, providing an additional layer of privacy and security.

VPNs are a popular choice because of their ease of use and versatility. They hide your IP and encrypt your data, protecting it from hackers, your ISP, or anyone trying to snoop on your connection. Whether working remotely, accessing public Wi-Fi, or bypassing geo-restrictions, a VPN offers a seamless way to prioritise your online anonymity.

Choosing a reliable VPN provider is essential. Look for a service that doesn’t log your activity and offers a wide range of servers in different locations to maximise your privacy and browsing options. There are a multitude of options available, either free or cheap, such as Tunnel Bear or Nord VPN.

Use the TOR networks

Another option to hide your IP address is to use the TOR network. TOR (The Onion Router) is a free, open-source system designed to anonymise your online activity. It works by routing your internet traffic through a series of volunteer-operated servers (or "nodes") around the world, which makes it nearly impossible to trace your original IP address.

When you use TOR, your data is encrypted multiple times as it passes through these nodes, offering a high level of anonymity. This makes TOR an excellent choice for individuals who want to avoid surveillance, access censored websites, or protect their online identity. Sites such as DuckDuckGO allow you to browse through the web on the TOR network.

However, TOR can be slower when compared to proxies or VPNs due to the multiple layers of encryption and routing.

Comparison

Still struggling with understanding the differences between the three methods of hiding your IP address? Here's a table comparing them against each other:

Method	Features	Benefits	Drawbacks
Proxies	- Routes your internet traffic through a proxy server - Masks your IP address - Types include residential, ISP/DC, and shared proxies	- Fast performance, especially with datacenter proxies - Good for web scraping and bypassing geo-blocks - Simple setup	- Limited encryption (doesn't secure data) - Can be detected by some websites or services - Can be expensive for those with high bandwidth requirements
VPNs	- Encrypts all internet traffic - Routes traffic through a secure server - Replaces your IP address with the VPN server's IP	- Protects privacy by encrypting data - Useful for public Wi-Fi security - Easily bypasses geo-restrictions	- Requires trust in the VPN provider - May slow down internet speeds slightly
TOR Network	- Routes traffic through multiple encrypted nodes - Completely free - Built-in anonymity tools for browsing	- Maximum anonymity - Effective against censorship - No need to rely on third-party providers	- Slow performance due to multiple layers of routing - Not suitable for high-speed tasks like streaming

What is the best option for hiding my IP address?

For this, there's no "one size fits all", and it varies depending on your own analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of each:

• Proxies are great for quick tasks like web scraping, bypassing geo-restriction, or automating browsing.
• VPNs are ideal for general use, offering a balance between privacy, security, and speed.
• TOR provides the highest level of anonymity but may be slower, making it best for privacy-critical activities.

Can I use a proxy and a VPN together?

Yes, you can. Combining a proxy and a VPN adds an extra layer of privacy by routing traffic through the proxy first and then encrypting it with the VPN.

Is TOR completely anonymous?

While TOR provides significant anonymity by routing your traffic through multiple encrypted nodes, it’s not 100% foolproof. It’s still possible for advanced attackers or compromised exit nodes to monitor traffic.

Will hiding my IP address make me untraceable?

Hiding your IP address significantly increases privacy and anonymity but doesn’t make you entirely untraceable. Tools like VPNs and TOR enhance security but should be used alongside good online practices.

Does using a VPN slow down my internet speed?

A VPN may slightly reduce your internet speed due to encryption and the rerouting of traffic through servers. However, a good VPN provider minimizes this impact with optimized servers.

Are proxies or VPNs better for streaming?

VPNs are better for streaming because they encrypt data and provide access to geo-restricted content with minimal detection. Proxies may be faster but can be blocked by some streaming services. In addition to this, using proxies that are charged by bandwidth may result in high costs, as streaming uses a lot of data.

Can I use TOR for everyday browsing?

You can use TOR for everyday browsing, but its slower performance may not be ideal for tasks like streaming or downloading large files. It’s best used for privacy-sensitive activities.

Conclusion

Hiding your IP address is essential for protecting your privacy and unlocking the internet’s full potential. Proxies, VPNs, and the TOR network each offer unique benefits depending on your needs, whether it’s bypassing geo-restrictions, securing your data, or achieving complete anonymity. By understanding these tools and choosing the right one, or combining them, you can take control of your online privacy in 2024.