Want to browse the internet without revealing your identity? This guide explains all the ways to hide your IP address, from VPNs to Tor, with honest pros and cons for each method.
Quick Answer
The most effective way to hide your IP address is using a VPN – it’s fast, easy to use, and encrypts all your traffic. For maximum anonymity (but slower speeds), use Tor Browser. Free alternatives like proxies offer less protection but can work for basic needs.
Table of Contents
Why Hide Your IP Address?
Your IP address is like your online mailing address. Every website you visit, every app you use, and every service you connect to can see it. Here’s what that reveals:
- Your approximate location – usually accurate to city level
- Your ISP – your internet service provider
- Your browsing can be tracked – websites link your activity to your IP
- You can be targeted – for ads, price discrimination, or even attacks
Common reasons to hide your IP include:
- Privacy from advertisers and data brokers
- Accessing geo-restricted content
- Bypassing censorship or workplace restrictions
- Protecting yourself on public WiFi
- Avoiding IP-based bans or blocks
- General security and anonymity
6 Methods to Hide Your IP Address
1. VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A VPN encrypts all your internet traffic and routes it through a server in another location. Websites see the VPN server’s IP, not yours.
How it works:
- You connect to a VPN server
- Your traffic is encrypted and sent through that server
- Websites see the server’s IP, not yours
- Your ISP sees encrypted traffic to the VPN, nothing more
Pros:
- Easy to use – just click connect
- Encrypts ALL your traffic (not just browser)
- Fast speeds – minimal impact on browsing
- Works on all devices
- Choose from servers worldwide
Cons:
- Monthly subscription cost
- You trust the VPN provider with your data
- Some websites block known VPN IPs
Best for: Most users. VPNs offer the best balance of privacy, speed, and ease of use.
Recommended VPNs: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark
2. Tor Browser
Tor routes your traffic through multiple volunteer-operated servers (nodes), encrypting it at each step. No single node knows both your identity and destination.
How it works:
- Your traffic passes through 3+ random nodes
- Each node only knows the previous and next hop
- The exit node sees your traffic but not your real IP
- Traffic is encrypted in layers (like an onion)
Pros:
- Completely free
- Maximum anonymity – no single point of trust
- Access to .onion sites
- Resistant to surveillance
Cons:
- Very slow – multiple hops add latency
- Only protects browser traffic (not apps)
- Many sites block Tor exit nodes
- Not suitable for streaming or downloads
- Can attract attention in some countries
Best for: High-risk users (journalists, activists) who need strong anonymity and can tolerate slow speeds.
Download from: torproject.org
3. Proxy Server
A proxy acts as an intermediary between you and websites. Your requests go through the proxy, which forwards them using its IP address.
Types of proxies:
- HTTP proxies: Only work for web browsing
- SOCKS proxies: Work for any traffic type
- Transparent proxies: Don’t hide your IP (used for caching)
Pros:
- Many free options available
- Simple to set up
- Can be faster than VPN (no encryption overhead)
Cons:
- Usually NO encryption – traffic can be intercepted
- Only works for specific apps/browsers
- Free proxies often log your data or inject ads
- Unreliable – free proxies come and go
Best for: Quick, low-stakes IP masking (like accessing region-locked content). Not recommended for security.
4. Mobile Data
Simply switching from WiFi to mobile data gives you a different IP – the one assigned by your cellular carrier.
Pros:
- Instant – no setup required
- Free (uses your data plan)
- Your carrier uses CGNAT, sharing IPs among many users
Cons:
- Uses mobile data (could be expensive)
- No encryption added
- Still reveals your approximate location
- Not anonymous – carrier knows who you are
Best for: Quick IP change to bypass WiFi-based blocks.
5. Public WiFi
Connecting to a different WiFi network (coffee shop, library, etc.) gives you that network’s IP address.
Pros:
- Free and widely available
- Different IP than your home network
- Shared with other users of that network
Cons:
- Major security risk – others on the network can intercept your traffic
- No encryption (unless you add a VPN)
- Location is still revealed (coffee shop’s location)
- Cameras and logins can identify you
Best for: Only if combined with a VPN. Never use public WiFi for sensitive activities without protection.
Read more: Public WiFi Security Guide
6. Request a New IP From Your ISP
You can ask your ISP to assign you a new IP address, or try restarting your router.
Pros:
- Free
- Legitimate new IP (not associated with VPNs)
Cons:
- Doesn’t actually “hide” your IP – you get a new one, but it’s still you
- Location remains the same
- ISP still logs all your activity
- May not always work (static IP users)
Best for: Escaping IP bans, not for privacy.
Comparison Table
| Method | Hides IP | Encrypted | Speed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPN | Yes | Yes | Fast | $3-12/mo |
| Tor | Yes | Yes | Very Slow | Free |
| Proxy | Yes | Usually No | Fast | Free-Paid |
| Mobile Data | Partial | No | Varies | Free* |
| Public WiFi | Partial | No | Varies | Free |
| New ISP IP | New IP only | No | Same | Free |
*Uses your existing mobile data plan
What Doesn’t Hide Your IP
Some things people think hide their IP, but don’t:
Incognito/Private Browsing Mode
Private mode stops your browser from saving history and cookies locally. It does NOT hide your IP address. Websites still see your real IP.
Deleting Cookies
Cookies are separate from your IP address. Clearing them helps with tracking but doesn’t change or hide your IP.
Using HTTPS
HTTPS encrypts the content of your communication with websites, but websites still see your IP address to know where to send the data.
Changing Your DNS
Using different DNS servers (like Google’s 8.8.8.8 or Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1) changes who resolves domain names, but doesn’t hide your IP from websites.
Myths About IP Hiding
Myth: “Hiding my IP makes me completely anonymous”
Reality: Your IP is just one way you’re tracked. Cookies, browser fingerprinting, login accounts, and behavior patterns can still identify you. True anonymity requires multiple layers of protection.
Myth: “Free VPNs are just as good as paid ones”
Reality: Free VPNs need to make money somehow. Many sell your data, inject ads, have data caps, or provide poor security. If privacy matters, pay for a reputable VPN.
Myth: “Using a VPN is illegal”
Reality: VPNs are legal in most countries including the US, UK, EU, Australia, and more. A few countries restrict them (China, Russia, UAE), but even there, using a VPN isn’t typically criminalized for regular users.
Myth: “My IP reveals my exact address”
Reality: Your IP typically reveals your city and ISP, not your street address. Only your ISP (and law enforcement with a warrant) can connect an IP to a specific person.
Which Method Should You Use?
For everyday privacy: Use a VPN. It’s the best balance of protection and convenience.
For streaming geo-blocked content: VPN – choose a server in the right country.
For maximum anonymity: Tor – if you can tolerate slow speeds.
For bypassing school/work filters: VPN or proxy, depending on what’s blocked.
For public WiFi safety: VPN – essential on untrusted networks.
For free, occasional use: Tor for browsing, or a reputable proxy for low-stakes tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to hide my IP address?
Yes, in most countries using VPNs, Tor, and proxies is completely legal. You’re entitled to privacy. However, hiding your IP to commit illegal activities is still illegal – the tool doesn’t change the legality of your actions.
Can my ISP see what I do when using a VPN?
Your ISP can see that you’re connected to a VPN server and how much data you’re transferring, but they can’t see what websites you visit or what you’re doing. The content is encrypted.
Can websites detect that I’m using a VPN?
Sometimes. Websites can detect known VPN IP addresses and block them. This is common with streaming services. Quality VPNs regularly rotate their IPs to avoid detection. Some services also detect suspicious traffic patterns.
Do I need to hide my IP if I have nothing to hide?
Privacy isn’t about hiding wrongdoing – it’s about controlling your personal information. Even law-abiding people benefit from privacy: protection from data breaches, targeted scams, price discrimination, and general surveillance capitalism.
What’s the best free way to hide my IP?
Tor Browser is the best free option for privacy. It’s genuinely free, doesn’t harvest data, and provides strong anonymity. The tradeoff is slow speeds. For faster free options, some VPNs offer limited free tiers (ProtonVPN, Windscribe), but with restrictions.
Summary
- VPN is the best all-around option for most users – fast, encrypted, and easy to use
- Tor offers maximum anonymity but with slow speeds
- Proxies hide your IP but usually don’t encrypt – use with caution
- Private browsing mode does NOT hide your IP
- For sensitive activities, combine methods (VPN + Tor) for layered protection