How to Hide Your IP Address

Can I Hide My IP Address?

I'll start by saying yes, it's possible to hide or "spoof" your IP address. But I also think it's important to state upfront that your IP address DOES NOT personally identify you when you use the Internet. If you've heard that hackers with special equipment or software can easily discern your name or physical location, given your IP address, then you've heard wrong. For more information on this, read my companion article Does IP Address Reveal my Physical Location? Okay, that fear is put to rest. If you still want to learn how to hide your IP address, read on.

So let's talk about IP addresses for a moment. When you connect to the Internet, your ISP assigns you an Internet Protocol (IP) address, which in most cases changes every time you connect. Your IP address was never meant to be a secret. Whenever you connect to a website, download a file, or chat online, your IP address is sent along with your request to communicate. Think of it like the return address on an envelope... without it, the computer on the other end wouldn't know where to send the reply. A better analogy would be a return address that's a post office box. When that "letter" arrives at the post office, they put it in the correct box, and only the post office knows your true identity. The sender only knows your box number, and which post office handles your mail.

Even so, some people are concerned that ANY record of their online activity might pose a threat to their privacy or personal security. And it doesn't necessarily mean that the person is engaged in some sort of nefarious activity. In some countries (or even your workplace) it may be verboten to visit certain websites, so hiding your IP address might provide a way to circumvent the restriction. There are also websites that only allow visitors from certain geographic locations to connect. If, for example, you're a citizen of the USA, but living abroad, you might have trouble connecting to some US-based websites, because your IP address will identify you as outside the USA. An IP spoofer that makes it appear you're connecting from within the USA could solve that problem.

Using an anonymous proxy server will serve as a go-between between your computer and the Internet. The sites you visit will see the IP address of the proxy, instead of yours. There are many free ones but often they may be unreliable or disappear without letting you know. The best way to select one is to use one that has a known integrity and a clear privacy policy. For safety's sake, never pass any personal information, such as bank account information or passwords, through a proxy.

Some proxy servers are web based. StupidCensorship is one good example. You can visit this site, and enter a web address (URL). The proxy will fetch the page, and return it to your browser. Your browser history will show only that you visited the proxy site, not the URL you entered. And the website you "vistited" will only know that the proxy site fetched a page, not you.

Proxify and The Cloak are also anonymous proxy sites that supply an encrypted connection, keep cookies remote then delete them after a session. A proxy can also be configured to selectively remove content such as Javascript and Java. Usage is free, but a paid services with additional features are also available.

There are also downloadable programs to hide your IP addressess, which provide you with a phony IP addressess and location. Firefox’s SwitchProxy automatically switches between a list of proxy servers and can be a handy tool. SwitchProxy is a free service, and can be installed as a browser toolbar. IP addressess Shield 4.6 (US$69) is another such program. It works with both Firefox and IE, IMs, email, file sharing or other applications and will even provide you with a spoofed location in another country.

Have you used a proxy or software to hide your IP address? Post your comment or question below...