There are many reasons why you might want to change your IP address. But most of them can be linked back to three main categories: anonymity, unblocking, and security. An IP address is your online ZIP code. It tells the websites you visit where in the world you are. Websites use this information to offer you a specific version of their website. Most of the time this works in our advantage, because we get information that is more relevant to us. However, sometimes you do not want a website to know where you are, for more anonymity, to unblock certain content, or to secure your browsing.
Anonymity
Hiding your IP address is the key to anonymous browsing. Because your IP address reveals your locations and can sometimes also be linked to your identity, there is no way to stay anonymous with your own IP. One reason you might want to stay anonymous, is because websites track a lot of your online actions. They use this information to market products and services which they believe are relevant to you (i.e. would most likely prompt you to buy something). If you feel uncomfortable with this invasion of your privacy, you can choose to remain anonymous and use a VPN to change your IP address. Also, in some countries you cannot speak freely about the government. If you want to do so anyway, you need to make sure that your government cannot trace your actions back to you. By changing your IP address no regime will be able to track you down (provided you use a good VPN).
Unblocking
Some parts of the internet are blocked. Things can be blocked for different reasons. It might be that your school or workplace blocks certain websites to improve productivity. But on a larger scale, some countries block large parts of the internet because they aren’t in line with their ideology. These blocks use your IP address to determine whether you are allowed to view certain content or not. This means that when you change your IP address you can bypass these blocks. Through, for instance a VPN, you can change your IP address to one that is in another country in order to unblock certain websites or content.
Similarly, some streaming websites will show different content in different countries. If you want to gain access to the content in another country you can use a VPN to connect to a server there. This way, the streaming service will see an IP address from the server you’re connected to. Many people use this tactic to gain access to the American content on Netflix.
Security
Apart from anonymity and unblocking, changing your IP address can also provide you with more security online. The internet can be a dangerous place, with hackers lurking around trying to take over your devices. Your personal information can be worth a lot of money to them. Therefore, it is important to protect it, just like you would your real-life possessions. By changing your IP address with a VPN you can hide both your location and your identity from spying eyes. As an added bonus, a VPN also encrypts all your data so hackers won’t be able to get their hands on your online profile. Taking on a different IP address as your own also protects you against your internet service provider or government keeping an eye on your online actions.
How to Change Your IP Address
The safest way to change your IP address is by using a good VPN. A VPN allows you to connect to the internet through one of their servers. This way websites will see a different IP address from your own. Because a VPN also encrypts all of your internet data, there will be no way for websites to find out your true IP address. This way you can go about your online business anonymously, freely, and safely.
