Do I need to hide my IP address?
👨💻
What is an IP address?
Think of this as your address on the Internet – the location where you receive mail and other data such as web pages, images, and messages. Your IP address consists of a string of four groups of numbers, such as 192.172.33.1, that identifies both the network you’re using and the device you’re using. With these two pieces of information networks and websites, they can both route the data to you and verify that you have permission to access it.
Why would I want to hide my IP address?
Since your IP address is necessary for browsing across the web, it can act as a fingerprint for your online activities. Web pages may choose to store this information to learn more about you and your interests for marketing purposes. Your data can also be sold to third parties without your consent, or used to spy on you if someone has malicious intent. An example of this is so-called “spyware”, which can secretly record the sites you visit.
IP addresses are also used to restrict access to content, such as streaming services that are only available in certain locations. But hiding your IP address for this purpose is not something we advocate.
How can I hide my IP address?
There are two main ways to hide your IP address: using a virtual private network (VPN), or a proxy server. VPNs are the most common tools consumers use to hide their IP addresses. This is a piece of software that allows you to establish a secure connection to another server over the Internet, so it appears that your data is coming from the server you are connecting to. So, if you’re in Los Angeles, for example, the software can connect you to a server in London, masking your actual location as your traffic appears to have originated in London.
A proxy server differs in that it acts as an intermediary between your device and the server you are trying to connect to. It receives a request from your device and then retrieves this information from the target server. An agent can be either a computer or a piece of software that performs this function. It differs from a VPN in that it does not encrypt or obfuscate your information, which makes it less secure. That’s why we suggest you use a VPN.
When should I use a VPN?
There are some scenarios in which you may want to hide your IP address. The first is if you’re on public Wi-Fi, because your browsing activity may be accessible to anyone close to you. If you use a VPN, you can make a secure connection to the network and keep your activities private.
You can also choose to hide your IP address if you are concerned about your privacy on the web in general and want to make sure that no websites or cybercriminals are tracking you.
Finally, users who wish to connect to a private business or home network may also choose to use a VPN. Many companies, for example, allow their employees to connect to their internal network only if their IP address is coming from an authorized network. With a VPN, you can connect to the internal network from anywhere and you will be allowed to access because it is coming from an authorized IP address.
Other ways to protect your privacy
- Check the privacy of all your accounts to make sure they are in the strictest settings. On social media, make sure that only friends can see your information.
- Turn off location services on websites and apps if you don’t need to use them. Unless you’re using a mapping service or other important location functionality, there’s no reason to share your movements across the world.
- Use complex passwords and passphrases and keep them private. Password managers can help make this easier.
- Install comprehensive security software on all of your devices. Try to choose a product that includes a VPN and identity theft protection.
- When you’re on public Wi-Fi, like in an airport or hotel, always use a VPN if you want to do banking and other sensitive activities securely.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest threats and how to avoid them.
Looking for more mobile security tips and trends? Be sure to follow @McAfee_Home on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
x3Cimg height = “1” width = “1” style = “display: none” src = “https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=766537420057144&ev=PageView&noscript=1” /> x3C/noscript>’ );
[ad_1]
Don’t forget to share this post with friends !
