Your public IP address reveals your approximate location and internet provider, and it can be used to track your activity across sites. Here are the main ways to hide or change it.
1. Use a VPN (best for most people)
A VPN routes your traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a server elsewhere, so websites see the VPN server's IP instead of yours. It's the easiest, most reliable option and it encrypts your connection too. The main downsides: a good VPN usually costs money, and you have to trust the provider.
2. Use a proxy server
A proxy also relays your traffic through another server, changing your apparent IP. It's often free and fine for basic tasks, but most proxies don't encrypt your traffic and can be slow or unreliable. Use them for casual use, not sensitive activity.
3. Use Tor
The Tor network bounces your traffic through several volunteer-run relays, making it very hard to trace. It's free and strong for anonymity, but noticeably slower — better for privacy-critical browsing than everyday streaming.
Which should you choose?
| Method | Encrypted? | Speed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| VPN | Yes | Fast | Usually paid |
| Proxy | Often no | Varies | Often free |
| Tor | Yes | Slow | Free |
Check that it worked
After connecting, come back and refresh our home page — if your IP and location have changed to the server's, it's working. You can also run the new IP through the IP lookup tool to confirm the location.