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Hide Your Real IP Address Behind a Proxy

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Hide Your Real IP Address Behind a Proxy

Did you know that it is possible to hide your IP address by using proxies? In this article, you will learn what is proxy, how to hide your IP address by using a proxy, and understand why it is essential to use it.

What is proxy?

Before anything else, it is important to understand what is an IP address and proxy.

Internet Protocol address or IP address is a set of identifying numbers used to associate a particular electronic device. When a device is connected to the internet, an IP address also enables devices to receive and send information.

On the other hand, a proxy server acts as a middleman between the internet and your device. Basically, it allows you to browse websites using different IP addresses without switching to a different internet provider.

The importance of hiding your IP address with a proxy

There are several benefits of hiding your IP address using a proxy. Here are some of them:

Avoid Marketers From Getting Your Data

If you notice ads about things you have recently searched, it is probably because online marketers are keeping track of your search activity using your IP address. Tech-savvy marketers utilize your data to identify what interests you the most.

From the advertisers’ point of view, tracking your search activity is smart. They can tailor their advertisement to fit your preference and increase the chance of gaining a successful purchase. However, for you, as a consumer, this can feel a bit invasive. Somebody is literally spying on you and making suggestions on how you will spend your money.

If you do not like this idea, there’s a simple solution. Hide your IP address using a proxy server. This way, marketers will have a difficult time tracking your search activity.

Increase WiFi Security

You must think that it is really convenient when you are in a location with WiFi Hotspots. However, there are major security risks on public WiFi, which is why it is important to protect your data by hiding your IP address. This will help provide you with an extra layer of protection against hacking, data compromise, or data loss.

Gain Access to Geo-Blocked Websites

If you ever encounter the terms “this content is not available in your country,” then that is probably because the website is geo-blocked. Geo-blocking happens when web administrators restrict access to particular locations. This is a common occurrence on e-commerce and streaming websites to locations where they cannot offer their service.

By hiding your IP address using proxies, your device can pretend that it is located in a country that has access to the website. When it does, you can freely access and browse its contents.

Hide Your Location

Your IP address can be used to pinpoint the exact location of where you live and where you frequently visit. This is a major privacy and security concern because people can stalk you or, worse, plan to cause you bodily harm.

Using proxies to hide your IP address can help hackers or people with bad intentions from tracking your every move. It will confuse them about where you truly live and help you gain an extra layer of protection.

How To Hide Your IP Address Using a Proxy

You will need to set up a proxy server to use it to hide your IP address. The steps are relatively easy to follow. Here are they:

Setting Up Proxy Server for Windows

1. Simultaneously press the Windows and “I” key to open the Windows Setting menu.
2. Click “Settings,” then select “Network & Internet.” From there, you will find the “Proxy Settings” options. Click that, then select “Network Proxy.”
3. Go to the “Manual Setup option,” then turn on the toggle of the “Use a Proxy Server Option” Also, turn on the toggle for “Automatically detect settings.”
4. The Windows will then check to see whether your local network already has an existing automatic proxy server that is ready to run. If it does, you will receive instruction from Windows on how to run it, and all you have to do is follow its instructions.
5. If Windows does find the automatic proxy setup PAC File, switch on the “Use Setup Script” option.
6. Fill in the script address, then save the changes.

Setting Up Proxy Server for macOS

1. Go to system preference. You can get there by clicking the Apple menu and selecting “System Preference.”
2. Click on the network icon to change its connectivity settings.
3. Pick the type of network you are using the click “Advanced” and select “proxies.”
4. To automatically set up your proxy server, click on “Auto Proxy Discovery,” then select “Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS)” and type your proxy server port number and address.
5. To save your proxy setup, click “OK,” then close the window.

Final Words

There are plenty of compelling reasons why you should hide your IP address by using proxies. Doing so is also very easy to do, so there is no reason why you should not take the extra layer of protection for your personal information and privacy.

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