IP address is the identifier that allows information to be sent between devices on a network. It contains location information and makes devices accessible for communication. IP addresses are mathematically assigned by the Internet Assigned Names Authority (bet you didn’t know that!). This might be fine and dandy news for the non-technical, but odds are you still have no idea why hiding your IP address is advised. Since your IP has location information, it can be used to discern your physical location. The accuracy of determining your location via IP address information is actually extremely accurate. Another reason to hide your IP is the increase in cyberattacks as of late. IP addresses can often be used to target attacks.
You can also hide your IP with the goal of watching blocked content in your region.
Changing your IP can be done, but this is a more detailed process. Hiding it is a much easier option.
A Virtual Private Network creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the service’s server rather than connecting to a website directly, adding a layer of protection. The VPN allows you to connect to the internet as normal and retrieve the information but through the tunnel created. This ensures that your web traffic cannot be intercepted, and furthermore anyone looking at the IP will only see the IP address of the VPN.
What you can also do is use a series of computers that are distributed across the globe. Rather than a request made between two points, your computer will send out layered requests that are each encrypted. You will be relayed from Tor node to Tor node before exiting the network and reaching the desired destination. Each node only knows the previous jump and the last jump. This method of Tor will make your movements much harder to track, making you much less susceptible to attack. In order to complete this method, download the Tor Browser, or talk to your IT professionals.
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