Knowing how to change your IP address is very useful. Some people would call it one of the essential skills for people who have an online presence today.
Cybercrime was predicted to cost $8 trillion last year, and it will cost more. It could reach $10.5 trillion by 2025.
When you want to access content that’s only available in another country or get more privacy for your activities, changing your VPN is one of the easiest fixes. At least as a first step before using other tools.
It’s time for us to make use of all the cybersecurity tools we can get, and changing your IP address is one of those. Hackers want your information, so protecting it is the way to go.
Read on and find out all the different ways that you can employ to change your IP address.
1. Get a Virtual Private Network
Yes, this is a suggestion that might make you wonder, at first: “Is a VPN necessary?”
In most cases, it is necessary: if you’ve read the numbers above, investing in your safety online is essential. Getting a reliable VPN is a great strategy to be safer online.
A VPN is also one of the most popular ways to change your IP, especially if you’re aiming for online safety and watching content that you can’t access in your home country. In June 2023, 70% of VPN end users used the software daily.
When you turn on a VPN, you have a secure server through which all your activity is hidden from everyone, including your Internet Service Provider. This is what makes it so safe.
2. Download Proxy Servers
Proxy servers work “between” your device and your internet connection. They’re similar to VPNs, and you have both free proxies and premium ones.
Free proxies might not be as secure as paid ones, so if you’re worried about your safety, it’s better to do some research and pay for a reputable source. Here is what you should consider:
- Look for reviews of the company.
- Use encrypted protocols and check that they’re secure.
- Update the settings regularly to avoid low performance or information leakage.
3. Get The Tor Browser
The Onion Router (better known as Tor) was specially created to preserve anonymity and hide your information. That’s why 100,000 people download it daily, and although it has gotten a little bit of a bad reputation because of cybercriminals, it’s a great tool.
When you use Tor, your traffic online is redirected through a series of servers, and it makes it more difficult for people to trace your activities back to your regular IP address. Getting the Tor Browser is a good way to contribute to an internet-wide effort to keep a secure and private online environment.
4. Reboot Your Browser
If you have a dynamic IP address, you can change it simply by rebooting your browser.
Here’s how you should do it:
- Press the on/off button. All the lights on the router should be off. Otherwise, it’s not rebooting.
- Wait at least two minutes before turning it on again, and when you do, wait for it to fully restart.
- Check on the settings to see that the IP has effectively changed as you wanted.
5. Call Your Internet Service Provider
If you have a static IP address, you need to call your ISP to change it securely. Explain that you need to change it, and keep in mind that some of these companies can charge you for this service.
To Sum Up
It’s not complicated to change your IP address. Whatever choice you make, you can get different benefits. Whether you download the Tor browser, call your ISP, restart your router, or use a proxy server, the choice is yours.
See what you need and enjoy a versatile online experience. Start navigating the online world on your terms, and stay safe while doing it!
