Did you know that your IP address gives away your internet habits, private searches, and even where you live? Anyone can track what you do on the open internet, but using an IP blocker lets you regain your privacy. Want to know the best way to hide your IP address? Read on.
We recommend ExpressVPN as the best way to hide your IP address.
Every device that connects to the internet is given a unique set of numbers called the Internet Protocol (IP) address. Your web host can see your IP address and track what you’ve been doing online. If someone knows your IP address, they can discover what movies you’ve been watching, what Google searches you’ve been doing, and even where you live.
10 Reasons to Block Your IP Address
If you’re like most people, you’ll likely feel a bit uncomfortable at the thought of total strangers being able to trace all of your internet activity. I prefer to hide my IP address and recommend you do too, for these 10 reasons:
- Hide your geographical location
- Prevent your web host from tracking your internet activity
- Get around geo-restrictions that block content
- Stay anonymous online
- Hide your internet activity from government surveillance
- Bypass school or workplace restrictions
- Protect your personal details when using a Wi-Fi hotspot
- Block targeted attacks on your IP address
- Keep your private searches private
- Avoid annoying retargeting ads
How Does a VPN Hide My IP Address
If you’re questioning how to hide your IP address, the best way is to use a VPN as an IP blocker. A VPN creates a secure, encrypted ‘tunnel’ between your personal IP address and the VPN company’s server which has its own IP address. Instead of your computer directly contacting a website, leaving traces of your IP address, you’ll contact the VPN which will send you the information through the hidden tunnel. Anyone looking for your IP address will just see the VPN’s IP instead.
Get the Best IP Blocker VPN
How to mask your IP address brings many answers, but using a VPN is a smart approach, because it doesn’t require any complicated configuration or installation and brings you the added benefits of faster internet without throttling, the option to choose a country or city for your virtual IP address, and increased protection against hackers and phishing attacks. When we researched the following best five VPNs to hide your IP address, we looked for:
- Plenty of servers so you can replace your IP address with one in any country
- Plenty of app versions so you can use it on every device
- Strong encryption methods that reliably mask your IP address
- Fast internet speeds
- Unlimited bandwidth for torrenting and downloading
#1 ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our favorite solution for how to hide your IP address. It has servers in 145 cities worldwide and high-level 256-bit encryption with a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and zero logs to keep your IP address secret while providing fast internet with no throttling or bandwidth limits. Apps for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android cover all of your devices and you can use it on up to three devices at once.
Prices are $12.95 per month, $9.99 per month for six months, $6.67 per month for 12 months, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
#2 NordVPN
NordVPN is the most secure IP blocker with double encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. There’s no throttling and bandwidth is unlimited, so torrenting and P2P file sharing are permitted. NordVPN provides fast internet and has six optimized servers especially for super-fast gaming and torrenting.
Prices are $11.95 per month, $5.75 per month for one year, and $3.29 per month for 2 years. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.
#3 HideMyAss
HideMyAss has servers in almost 200 countries so you can replace your IP address with one on the other side of the world. Strong OpenVPN encryption protects you from hackers and surveillance without IP leaks. There are apps for iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows and you can also configure it to cover your router.
Prices are $11.52 per month, $8.33 per month for six months, and $6.56 per month for one year. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, as well.
#4 SaferVPN
SaferVPN blocks your IP address with 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and zero logs policy. It doesn’t throttle your internet and offers unlimited bandwidth, although there’s no torrenting or P2P file sharing permitted. Apps are available for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac.
Prices are $9.99 per month, $3.39 per month for one year, and $2.99 per month for two years. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
#5 PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN delivers fast and unthrottled internet while also blocking your IP address using a range of industry-standard encryption protocols and DNS leak protection, although it only has servers in about 40 countries. PrivateVPN is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, and routers.
Prices are $8.21 per month, $5.63 per month for three months, and $4.15 per month for one year, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Additional Ways to Hide Your IP
If you’re not yet sure about using a VPN as an IPblocker, there are a few other options for how to mask your IP address.
- Tor redirects your internet request via a convoluted network of volunteer routers that hides your IP address, but it is slow, risky and could have you put on a blacklist.
- Proxy servers replace your IP address with its own by replacing your server with its own server. It’s effective as an IP blocker but doesn’t do anything to hide your data or protect your personal details.
- Use public Wi-Fi which has its own IP address. However, this IP block approach puts you at risk from hackers and fake Wi-Fi hotspots.
- Use mobile data to create your own Wi-Fi hotspot, but your connection will be slow, and you’ll still be at risk from hackers.
A Free VPN is Not Always Recommended as an IP Blocker
A VPN is the best answer to the question of how to hide your IP address, but free VPN isn’t as good as an IPblocker. Free VPNs are attractive, but they come with slow internet speeds, a low ceiling on how much you can download, and aren’t reliable enough to always hide your IP address. Furthermore, many free VPNs keep logs of your data to sell to third parties. So, in the end, you still aren’t hiding anything.
Learn How to Mask Your IP Address with a VPN
If you really believe in internet freedom, the only way to get it is by hiding your IP address. And, the best method to hide your IP, is to use a reputable VPN that protects you from hackers, hides you from surveillance, and speeds up your internet all at the same time.
Related Articles:
VPN reviews
ExpressVPN review
NordVPN review
SaferVPN review
HideMyAss review
PrivateVPN review
ExpressVPN and IPVanish are very secure as they flawlessly hide my IP address. I lover their security settings and staying anonymous is ceertain with the VPNs.
I tried Express vpn and it’s fast and easy to use. Thanks for the post. Been finding a way to watch Netflix
I’d personally recommend ExpressVPN. Once you’re connected, your data is
totally secure and you’re as good as anonymous online. Their support is also first-rate.
There are other VPN services too that can help in hiding your IP address from hackers eye are https://nordvpn.com/, https://www.acevpn.com/, https://www.tunnelbear.com/ & https://www.purevpn.com/
I’m pretty sure IPVanish works just fine on iOS. Is this review outdated or sponsored?
Hi Stefanie,
Our review on this page is a little out of date. We will add it too the queue to update.
There are bunch VPN providers and its very confusing which one is the best. Sites like VPNs R Us gives good review to the best VPN in your country.
Thanks Anthony for the tip. We have never reviewed them before I will add it too the list.
Hi just a comment about HMA I used them to access SKY and BBC in the UK when I am on trips to the USA however it appears SKY and BBC can both detect you are not in the UK despite this – SKY told me that they no longer allow access to anyone trying to connect via a VPN,
I pay for SKY and have a BBC license so I am frustrated at not being able to view their iplayer tv streaming programs when outside the country. Does express one allow access to SKY and BBC thanks.