How Can I Hide My IP Address and Location

Your IP address is like your digital home address. It can reveal your location to websites, advertisers, and even your internet provider. If you want more privacy online, there are safe and legal ways to hide your IP address or mask your IP address so your activity isn’t as easily tracked.

In this guide, we’ll show you the simplest methods to stay private online.

How to Hide or Mask Your IP Address

If you just want the options from fastest through to slowest:

• Use a VPN – encrypts your connection and hides your real IP address.
• Use a proxy website – changes your visible IP address, though it’s less secure. Check out our guide to unblocking websites which includes a list of proxies you can use for free here
• Use Tor Browser – This is an anonymity network that routes traffic through multiple servers for anonymity.

VPNs are the most reliable and user-friendly solution for hiding and masking your IP address.

The Safest Way to Hide Your IP Address

Why a VPN Works

A Virtual Private Network (VPN):

• Encrypts all internet traffic from your device.
• Replaces your real IP address with one from the VPN server.
• Lets you appear as if you’re browsing from another location.
• Keeps websites, advertisers, and hackers from easily tracking you.

Most VPNs are easy to install, fast, and come with apps for PC, Mac, and mobile devices.

Using Tor Browser to hide your IP address

Tor, which stands for The Onion Router, is an anonymity network designed to hide your IP address and make online activity difficult to trace. Instead of sending your traffic directly to a website, Tor routes it through multiple independent servers, called nodes, before it reaches its destination.

Each step removes a layer of information, which is why it’s described as “onion routing.” This process hides your real IP address and makes it extremely hard for any single party to see where the traffic originated.

Tor vs VPN: which should you use?

Tor and VPNs both hide your IP address, but they work differently.

Tor	VPN’s
– Routes traffic through multiple nodes – Provides stronger anonymity – Slower speeds and limited compatibility	– Route traffic through one encrypted server – Faster and easier to use – Better for streaming, browsing, and apps

For most users, a VPN is the more practical way to hide or mask an IP address. Tor is best reserved for situations where anonymity matters more than speed or convenience.

Why People Hide or Mask Their IP Address

Hiding or masking your IP protects your privacy and gives you more control online. Common reasons include:

• Protecting personal privacy – Prevent websites, advertisers, and ISPs (Internet Service Providers) from tracking your online activity.
• Enhanced security on public Wi-Fi – Avoid hackers intercepting your data when connected to unsecured networks in your home country and while travelling.
• Accessing location restricted content – Watch streaming services, access websites, or play games that are only available in certain regions. Getting a VPN to stream Netflix while overseas or while at home so you can access different Netflix libraries is a popular reason for using a VPN. Please be aware that Netflix and other streaming services are trying to counteract this use of VPN’s. And VPN’s are trying to counteract Netflix’s efforts.
  • On Netflix vs VPN’s: Netflix actively monitors IP addresses to enforce regional content restrictions. When multiple accounts or a large number of users are connecting from the same IP address, Netflix can flag it as a VPN or proxy and block access. This means that even if you are using a VPN to hide or mask your IP address, streaming isn’t always guaranteed. To work around this, many VPN providers add new servers or rotate IP addresses regularly, so users can continue accessing content from different regions. However, there’s always a chance that Netflix will detect and block these new IP addresses, so VPN access of streaming services is not 100% guaranteed. I have been able to use Netflix overseas via Proton VPN Plus for my mobile but not with my laptop.
• Avoiding targeted pricing or ads – Some online stores or services adjust prices based on your location.
• Anonymity for sensitive browsing – Keep your searches or online activity private for research, work, or personal reasons.
• Reducing the risk of targeted attacks

Reducing the risk of targeted attacks (Click triangle dot point for more information if you are interested)

Your IP address can be used as a starting point for targeted online attacks. While an IP address alone doesn’t reveal your identity, it can expose your approximate location, internet provider, and network type, which is often enough for attackers to narrow their focus.

When your real IP address is visible, attackers may attempt:

• Targeted phishing or social engineering based on your location or ISP
• DDoS attacks, especially against gamers, streamers, or small websites. A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack happens when a large amount of traffic is sent to a single IP address in order to overwhelm it and knock it offline. These attacks don’t steal data, but they can disconnect you from the internet, crash services, or make online platforms unusable.
• Network scanning to look for exposed devices or weak configurations
• Tracking repeated activity across forums, websites, or services

By hiding or masking your IP address, you remove a key piece of information attackers rely on. Instead of seeing your real network, they only see the IP address of a VPN server or proxy, which is shared by many users and constantly changing.

A VPN acts as a buffer between you and the internet. Any traffic aimed at your IP address stops at the VPN server, not your device. This reduces exposure and lowers the risk of being targeted simply because your IP address was visible.

While hiding your IP address won’t prevent every type of cyber attack, it eliminates one of the easiest ways attackers identify and focus on individuals, making it an effective and practical security measure.

Using a VPN, proxy website, or Tor browser is the easiest way to hide or mask your IP while achieving all of the above.

When and Where to Hide or Mask Your IP Address

There are specific situations where hiding your IP is particularly important:

• Public Wi-Fi networks – Coffee shops, airports, or hotels where traffic is less secure.
• Traveling abroad – Access websites or services that may be restricted in other countries. As well as accessing wifi in hostels/hotels and where they may not be as cyber security conscious in regards to password security or even have passwords on the wifi network at all.

In each of these cases, using a VPN, proxy, or Tor browser helps mask your IP address, making it appear as though you are browsing from a different location while keeping your personal information safe and protected.

Top 3 VPN Apps

Proton VPN

• 100% Open source so you can look at the code behind their software
• Proton doesn’t have activity logs so they don’t record your location, IP Address or the websites you visit
• Based out of Switzerland with strong data protection laws

Nord VPN

• All plans have a 30 day money back guarantee
• No activity tracking (that includes recording, storing and logging data), so you can browse safely
• Nord VPN has thousands of servers worldwide

Surfshark

• All plans have a 30 day money back guarantee
• Surfshark’s strict no-logs policy means your data will never be tracked, stored and more importantly sold. This is independently verified by a Deloitte audit.
• 4,500 servers around the world, including world first 100 Gbps servers for fast and safe internet access.
• All plans have double data encryption, sending online traffic through 2 VPN servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address tied to my computer or my Wi-Fi?

Your IP is mostly tied to your network, not your device. Devices on the same Wi-Fi usually share the same public IP address, which websites see. Each device has a local IP address internally, only visible on your home network. Using a VPN or proxy changes your public IP address, masking your location on any device.

Is it legal to hide or mask my IP address?

Yes. Using a VPN, proxy, or Tor browser to hide or mask your IP address is legal in most countries. It’s a standard practice for safe browsing, protecting your data, or accessing content securely.

Can websites still track me if I hide or mask my IP address?

They can still use cookies or browser fingerprinting, but your real IP address and location won’t be visible. VPNs and proxies make it much harder for websites, advertisers, or hackers to identify you.

What’s the difference between hiding and masking my IP address?

Hiding your IP address usually means encrypting all traffic using a VPN — your real IP address is completely protected. Masking an IP address is simply showing a different IP address, like through a proxy or Tor, without necessarily encrypting the connection.

Do free VPNs work for hiding or masking my IP?

Some free VPNs work, but most have limitations such as slow speeds, data caps, or selling your browsing data. Paid VPNs are generally faster, more reliable, and safer for protecting your privacy online.

Can my IP address reveal my location?

Yes. Your public IP address can give websites and services an approximate location, often down to your city or region. Using a VPN or proxy to hide or mask your IP address prevents this and protects your privacy online.

Is a VPN 100% untraceable?

No VPN is completely untraceable. While a VPN can hide and mask your IP address, websites can still use cookies, browser fingerprints, or account logins to identify you. VPNs significantly improve privacy but don’t make you invisible.

Why shouldn’t you use VPN all the time?

Using a VPN constantly can slightly slow your connection and may limit access to certain local services. Some online banking, streaming, or regional apps might detect VPNs and require verification. You can use a VPN strategically to hide or mask your IP when needed. One example is accessing the Google Ads website often doesn’t work while using a VPN. But where a VPN for Google Ads comes in handy is you can view Google search results for a specific location without the results being affected by your actual location.

Does incognito mode hide my IP address?

No, incognito mode only stops your browser from saving history, cookies, or cache locally. Your public IP address is still visible to websites, your ISP (Internet Service Provider), and network administrators. To truly hide or mask your IP address, use a VPN or proxy.

Why is my IP address still showing when using a VPN?

This can happen if the VPN isn’t properly connected, leaks your real IP address, or websites detect VPNs using advanced tracking. Choosing a reliable VPN ensures your IP address is fully hidden or masked. I have found when using a VPN you sometimes need to switch servers and then reload the page and that can work if Google has detected your real location. So that way you can get the results or webpages for your intended server location not your physical location.

How do I stop my IP address from being tracked?

Use a VPN or proxy to hide or mask your IP, enable privacy settings in your browser, block tracking cookies, and consider privacy-focused browsers like Tor or Brave. Clearing cookies regularly also helps.

How do I block IP address tracking on my iPhone?

Install a trusted VPN app, enable Private Relay if using iCloud+, adjust Safari privacy settings to block cross-site tracking, and clear cookies. This effectively hides or masks your IP address on your device.

Can you be completely anonymous online?

Complete anonymity is extremely difficult. Tools like VPNs, Tor, and privacy-focused browsers increase privacy and help hide or mask your IP, but websites can still track activity through cookies, accounts, or fingerprints.

Is it okay to run a VPN 24/7?

Yes. Running a VPN continuously is safe and ensures your IP is always hidden or masked, giving constant privacy and protection online.

Which is better, incognito or VPN?

A VPN is better for privacy and hiding or masking your IP. Incognito mode only prevents local storage of browsing data and doesn’t hide your IP from websites or your ISP.

Can a Wi-Fi owner see my search history if I use a VPN?

No. A VPN encrypts your traffic, so the Wi-Fi owner cannot see your searches or websites. They only know you’re connected to a VPN, which hides or masks your IP address.

How do I make my IP address show a different location?

Use a VPN or proxy server and select a server in the location you want. This changes your public IP address and effectively hides or masks your IP address to make it appear like you’re browsing from another location. Its pretty cool when you see the server you’re connected to on the world map, like in a spy movie haha!

Is a Tor browser illegal?

No, Tor is legal in most countries. It’s a privacy tool that routes traffic through multiple nodes for anonymity, helping hide or mask your IP. Illegal activity on Tor is still illegal. You can check out Tor browser here

What does “Tor” stand for?

Tor stands for The Onion Router, named for its method of encrypting traffic in multiple layers. It helps hide or mask your IP address while browsing online.