The internet has now come to be known as one of the most powerful tools on earth, with more than half of the human population using it for various reasons.
To be on the internet, people need to have internet-enabled devices. Then these devices need to use a special protocol known as internet protocol (IP). This protocol is unique for each device, and there are never two IPs that are the same.
This makes it easier for the internet to identify each user separately and deal with them accordingly.
But it also makes it easy for internet users to be traced, tracked and harassed online. This is because it is easy to identify each person if they are using their IP to connect with the internet.
A modern solution to this modern problem involves connecting with an IP while hiding your original IP.
This article focuses on why you need to hide your IP and the different ways you can achieve this.
Table of Contents
What Is An IP Address?
An IP address can be defined as a unique set of strings of numbers used to identify each device and user online. They consist of four sets of numbers, with each set separated by a period.
The IP address represents each user online, making it easy for each person’s request to be identified and results sent correctly.
It also contains important information about users, including locations, computer operating system, browser information, and network type.
This generally helps create unique fingerprints about each user as no two persons can have the same information highlighted above.
With more than half of the human civilization online, it is surprising that not many people understand how this works or the dangers involved.
Main Reasons Why IP Addresses Must Be Concealed
The most common reasons why people need to hide their IP address include the following:
1. To Conceal Activities From the ISPs
ISPs or internet service providers are entities that provide network connections and proxies for a user to reach their target destinations.
They are often seen as middlemen, but in most cases, they also monitor passing traffic for different reasons.
For both individuals and businesses, this seems like a breach of user’s privacy, but since they are necessary for connectivity, it is almost impossible to stop them from doing this.
Users, therefore, have to hide their IPs to evade being monitored or watched by their ISPs.
2. To Evade Targeting by Marketers
Another common problem of being on the internet is that it has become easier for marketers to target you with unnecessary campaigns.
This all begins when you leave your IP and other details exposed for all who care to look to see.
It has become crucial to hide IPs to avoid marketers from collecting all the information that they need to launch targeted harassment at you.
3. To Provide Security and Anonymity
Many users may not know this, but online security seems to be one of the most discussed topics today.
This is mainly because it is now easier for cybercriminals to watch your data, steal sensitive information and then use that data to commit different crimes against you or your customers.
So, how to extract data from website successfully and stay safe at the same time? The best way to avoid issues is to ensure better internet security by concealing your original IP every time you go online.
Hiding your IP also helps you browse anonymously to ensure that your activities are not being seen or monitored by your competition.
4. To Bypass Geo-Restrictions
Geo-restrictions are extreme measures that deny partial or complete access to people from certain regions.
The technologies involved work by monitoring your IP and determining your location. Then it moves to place the block depending on where you are browsing.
And the only way to deal with this problem is to hide your actual IP address as you browse those discriminatory servers.
Common Ways of Hiding IP Address
And below are 3 easy and common ways to hide your IP depending on what tools you have the easiest access to:
1. Using Proxies
Proxies are designed as intermediary tools that can transfer and receive internet connections on your behalf.
They work quickly to transfer requests to target servers and accept results on behalf of the user.
When you use proxies, it accepts your HTTP requests and assigns you a new IP while hiding your original IP and deals with the target server directly without divulging any of your details.
So, if you’re looking for an answer to the question of how to extract data from website without revealing your real IP address, use proxies.
For more useful information on how to extract data from website, read detailed blog articles.
2. Using VPN
Virtual Private Networks or VPNs are also intermediary tools, but unlike proxies, they function by using encrypted tunnels to transfer connections.
A VPN hides everything from your browser information to your location and other details, ensuring that nobody except the VPN provider sees your IP address.
3. Using Tor Browser
A TOR browser is a free network that users can hide their IP and location by routing their requests through several volunteer-run server nodes.
This means the connection works in a relay fashion, with your details getting encrypted using other people’s information.
However, for many users, this is the least favorable choice as it takes too long to transfer connection from the user to the target website.
Conclusion
IP addresses identify each user online and make being on the internet possible, but they also constitute the basis for data breaches and targeted harassment.
It is important to hide this important detail for several reasons, and the methods described above can be effectively used to hide IP addresses and stay online.
