How do I Hide My IP Address? – Avast
What is an IP address, anyway?
An IP address is a series of numbers that identifies your device or network on the internet. Activity on the internet is a series of two-way communications between clients — software, such as a web browser, that requests data — and servers, which reply to clients with responses. Every client has an IP address that tells servers who is making the request.
So, it’s easy to understand what an IP address is and also why they’re important. IP addresses let search engines like Google know where to send the results of a search, help websites know who’s visiting their site, and make sure you receive the emails that are addressed to you.
In other words, IP addresses undergird how the internet works in general. Thankfully, it’s very easy to find your IP address if you need this information.
Three ways to hide your IP
Now, let’s take a look at three tools you can use to hide your IP address. Each offers its own blend of privacy, security, and practicality.
1. Use a VPN
A VPN is an intermediary server that encrypts your connection to the internet — and it also hides your IP address. A VPN encrypts all your traffic, not only in your browser but also in other apps, and then passes traffic onward to its destination. They’re a popular privacy solution, and as such, there’s a strong incentive for VPN providers to design tools that are as easy to use as they are secure.
Here’s how to hide your IP address with a VPN: Simply download a VPN such as Avast SecureLine VPN, log in, and turn it on to protect both your IP address and your internet traffic.
How does a VPN hide your IP address?
When you’re using a VPN, your IP address is hidden because your traffic takes a detour through the VPN server. When your traffic — sites visited, online apps used, uploads, downloads, etc. — reaches its destination, it does so under a “virtual” IP address assigned by the VPN.
There’s only one party who’ll be able to see your actual IP address: your VPN provider. That’s why you should choose a trusted VPN provider that isn’t going to keep logs on your activity.
Avast SecureLine VPN is a safe, secure, and convenient way to mask your IP address. It’ll hide your online activity from your internet service provider (ISP), employer, school, and anyone else on your network, including a snooping cybercriminal. And we never keep any logs on sites you visit, apps you use, or content you view.
2. Use Tor
Comprising thousands of volunteer-run server nodes, Tor is a free network that conceals your identity online via multiple layers of encryption. When you access Tor, typically by using the free Tor Browser, your traffic is relayed and encrypted through a series of three relay nodes, each of which decrypts one layer of encryption to learn the identity of the next node. When your traffic leaves the final node, it’s fully decrypted and sent to its destination.
The relay system hides your IP address, but not without cost: because Tor’s encryption system is so thorough, it takes a long time for your traffic to complete its journey. You’ll be sacrificing browsing speed for Tor’s anonymity. This is a worthwhile tradeoff when it really counts, such as for whistleblowers and political dissidents. But if you’re simply seeking to hide your IP address, when comparing Tor and a VPN, you’ll find a VPN to be a far more convenient and faster solution.
How does Tor hide your IP address?
When you use Tor, each relay node along your traffic’s pathway through the Tor network knows only the IP address of the node immediately before and after it. Even if an attacker manages to intercept your traffic while it travels from the final node to your destination server, it’d be very difficult at that point to parse your original IP address.
3. Use a proxy
A proxy server handles your internet traffic on your behalf. A proxy sits in front of a client or network of clients, forwarding requests while also receiving and delivering responses from servers. You may need to manually adjust your device’s proxy settings if you want to use a proxy.
Unlike a VPN, most proxies won’t encrypt your traffic, and they also won’t hide your IP address from anyone who can intercept your traffic on its way from your device to the proxy. Proxy servers, especially free web-based proxies, tend to be less reliable than VPNs. That’s why proxies are best used as a quick, temporary solution as opposed to a long-term privacy plan.
How does a proxy hide your IP address?
Some proxy servers can mask your IP address with a fake one. You’ll appear as though you’re based in the same country as your proxy server. If you’re using a proxy to hide your IP, be aware that not all proxies offer equal protection.
Transparent proxies conceal neither your IP address nor your use of a proxy.
Anonymous proxies hide your IP address but not your use of a proxy.
High anonymity (or elite) proxies hide both your IP address as well as your use of a proxy.
Some sites or content platforms may block traffic from known proxies, so you’ll have to be careful if you’re trying to use a proxy to access media.
Why should I hide my IP address?
Your IP address identifies you online, and in today’s data-driven world, your online activity is very valuable. It’s important to hide your IP address so that you can regain control over your privacy while you’re online. Among other sensitive info, your IP can reveal your shopping and buying habits as well as your physical location. So why hide your IP? You’ve got plenty to gain, and not much to lose.
Hide your IP to browse anonymously
Advertisers and marketers can track you across the internet and analyze your browsing habits with the goal of marketing to you more effectively. Unfortunately, even hiding your IP address won’t stop them, because tracking cookies also deliver this information — which is why you should regularly take the time to delete cookies from your browser.
To take private internet browsing to the next level, consider a dedicated private browser like Avast Secure Browser. It includes a range of advanced anti-tracking features to let you use the internet without leaving any clues behind that companies and individuals can use to follow your activity.
Hide your IP to shield your location
Hide your IP address behind another IP in a different part of the world and no one will know where you really are. This includes websites and services that host geo-restricted content. For example, if you’re traveling abroad and want to access movies or TV shows that are available only for your home country, you can use a VPN or proxy to unblock that website with a false IP address in the correct location.
Many IP addresses are linked to a real-world address, or at least to a general location. If you’re frequently using false IP addresses to change your online location, no one will be able to figure out where you actually are.
Can my IP address ever truly be hidden?
While it’s not possible to hide your IP address from everyone, you can achieve an effective level of privacy sufficient for everyday needs. With a VPN, the only entity that can link your online activity to your IP address is your VPN provider itself. This is why it’s so important to choose a VPN provider with a reliable reputation for security, and one that doesn’t keep logs of user activity.
Your ISP can see the type, timing, and amount of traffic you’re sending to the VPN server, but they won’t know the specifics. The same goes for Tor. Many proxies don’t encrypt your traffic, and so your ISP will be able to access your activity if it wants to while you’re using a proxy. And, as mentioned earlier, all the websites and services you use while connected to a VPN will see only the VPN’s IP address, not yours.
The primary purpose for hiding your IP address is to protect your online activity and location from third-party observers: websites, advertisers who use ad tracking techniques, and cybercriminals. When your safety and privacy is at risk, it’s important to be proactive.
What is IP masking?
IP masking is the technique of concealing your IP address by adopting a false one. This is how hiding your IP address works — they’re two ways to refer to the same thing. If you’re interested in learning how to mask your IP address, you can apply the same techniques described in this article. After all, the only way to hide your IP address and still use the internet is to mask it behind another one.
Your traffic is always going to need an IP address online, since that’s how websites and services know who’s making the requests and where to send the replies. Clients use IP addresses to reach servers, and servers use IP addresses to send requested data back to the correct client.
That request-and-response system is part of the TCP/IP model, which governs how devices on the internet communicate with one each another. IP addresses are classified in a variety of ways: IPv4 vs. IPv6, public vs. local, and static vs. dynamic IP addresses. Read more about IP addresses here.
Hide your IP the easy way with a VPN
Avast SecureLine VPN lets you hide your IP address by choosing from any one of our blazing-fast servers located in dozens of countries all over the world. With your online activity securely encrypted and our no-logging policy, you’ll be able to easily access blocked content, disrupt tracking techniques, and browse the internet freely, with complete confidence in your online privacy.
Top 10 Best IP Blocker Apps (IP Address Blocker Tools In 2021)
Read this Informative Review of Top IP Blockers Including Features, Comparison And Pricing to select the Best Free or Paid IP Address Blocker Tool For Your Business:
IP blocker apps are programs that are used to add security to mail, the web, or any other internet servers. These apps shroud the IP addresses of the said parties in anonymity and block hostile threats.
Thus, the IP address blocker’s main focus is to prevent any hacks or unwanted contacts. While this may seem identical to what a VPN does, there is indeed a technical difference.
An IP proxy app connects through private connections instead of using the public internet. Hence, the vital company data can remain protected. Critical data like video calls and digital voice recordings can also remain completely hidden from public domains.
What You Will Learn:Review of Top IP Address Blocker AppsFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)List of Best IP Blocker And Masking AppsComparison Of The Top IP Address Blocker Apps#1) NordVPN#2) IPVanish#3) ExpressVPN#4) BeeThink IP Blocker Software#5) A2 Hosting#6) Windscribe#7) Ninja IP Hider#8) Proxy#9) Hotspot Shield#10) Proton VPN#11) Easy-Hide-IP#12) CyberGhostConclusionRecommended Reading
Review of Top IP Address Blocker Apps
Fact Check: The global IP proxy network market is forecasted to grow at an annual rate of 16. 8% reaching $259. 7 million in 2025. The total revenue from combined market participants in 2018 was $76. 3 million.
IP Blocker Market Size 2018-2025 ($Million)
Pro-Tip: The best pro-tip for selecting an IP blocker and masking app is the same for selecting any program. You should select the tool that most closely matches your requirements. Other tips you that you should remember is the platforms they support, and the availability of customer support.
Also, if you need the best download speeds wherever you are, then select the one with the best download speeds. Don’t cheap out to save a few bucks and sacrifice performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q #1) What is an IP Address Blocker App?
Answer: Every computer is assigned a unique numerical label known as IP i. e. Internet Protocol: an address that identifies the device in the network. You can use an IP Blocker app to ban specific or a group of IPs for security purposes.
Additionally, the IP masking feature allows you to hide your IP address to keep your connection private.
Q #2) What are the general features of IP Blocker Apps?
Answer: The features include rerouting traffic through a virtual private network and encrypting traffic. Other features include blocking ads, trackers, and access to blocked websites.
These general features simply service the goal of keeping your online traffic private and keeping hackers away.
Q #3) What are the uses of IP Blocker Software?
Answer: IP Adress Blockers, also called IP VPNs usually use multiprotocol label switching technology. This means that they prioritize the internet traffic they use to avoid any hacks or compromises. This results in increased security.
It protects against DDoS attacks that can overwhelm the bandwidth and take down the site.
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List of Best IP Blocker And Masking Apps
NordVPN
IPVanish
ExpressVPN
BeeThink IP Blocker Software
A2 Hosting
Windscribe
Ninja IP Hider
proxy
Hotspot Shield
ProtonVPN
Easy-Hide-IP
CyberGhost
Comparison Of The Top IP Address Blocker Apps
#1) NordVPN
Best for providing security features and allows six simultaneous connections.
NordVPN Pricing: Currently, there is a sale and offers a 2-year plan with 68% off. So it is available now for $3. 71 per month. 6-month plan and 1-month plan are also available and will cost you $9. 00 per month and $11. 95 per month respectively. It offers a 30-days money-back guarantee.
NordVPN is the VPN service that will hide your IP and physical location. It encrypts internet traffic. NordVPN will give you secure and private access to the internet. NordVPN’s account can secure up to 6 devices at the same time.
It supports almost every major platform such as Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android TV. The encrypted proxy extension is available for Chrome and Firefox browsers.
Features:
NordVPN uses next-generation encryption to keep your internet data safe.
It will give you a fast connection without limits on the bandwidth.
It has over 5300 servers in 59 countries.
It has features to block malware and ads.
NordVPN also offers a business solution, NordVPN Teams. This cloud VPN will protect your business network.
Cons
6-month plan and monthly plan are very expensive.
Verdict: NordVPN provides secure and private access to the internet. It is simple and easy to use. It has a strict no-logs policy. 24*7 support is available from the expert team of NordVPN.
#2) IPVanish
Best VPN service that offers secure access and high speeds.
IPVanish Pricing: IPVanish offers a monthly plan ($10. 99 per month) as well as a Yearly plan ($3. 75 per month). Both the plans are for unlimited devices and provide high-speed bandwidth.
IP Vanish offers VPN and backup tools, a Wi-Fi hotspot shield, safe file access, etc. It provides powerful internet privacy through an anonymous IP addresses shield. It will shield your internet traffic from getting spy by a third party.
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IPVanish provides secure access to online content from anywhere and without the risk of getting blocked.
Its advanced encryption standards will safeguard any connection and provides uncrackable security for handling personal data.
It protects daily internet activity privacy.
The solution offers the facility of securing every device that you have.
Cons:
No such cons to mention.
Verdict: IPVanish offers 24/7 live chat & phone support and a user-friendly app for all platforms. It has servers at more than 75 locations worldwide. It gives safe access to censored apps and websites.
#3) ExpressVPN
Best For: ExpressVPN is great for all types of users. It carries the functionality that can benefit the largest of corporations as well as the ease of use for conglomerates.
ExpressVPN Pricing: $8. 82 to $12. 95 per month | 30-day trial.
ExpressVPN is a well-known Virtual Private Network software option that has nearly 3000 servers in over 94 countries. The program is supported on all major native clients including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and even Blackberry.
It also has a lot of custom firmware for routers and DNS content that can unblock streaming media devices.
Features
Supports nearly 30, 000 IP addresses and can support 5 devices on a single account.
Supports enterprise-level encryption.
Bitcoin payments are accepted.
P2P and Bit torrent support.
DNS leak protection.
Limited simultaneous connection.
Servers not labeled
Verdict: ExpressVPN is a solid IP blocker with a lot of security features. It gives you great value for money and supports a lot of devices simultaneously. If you’re looking to invest in a VPN as an individual or a company, then you could do a lot worse.
#4) BeeThink IP Blocker Software
Best For: Small and medium-sized businesses that need unlimited IP blocking for their data.
Price: $69. 95 | 5-day free trial
BeeThink app can be used to block a list of user-defined IPs. Hence, it can prevent a lot of remote computers from accessing your system. The interface of the software is such that it’s user-friendly as well as complex in its operation.
Thus, you won’t feel the need to be an expert in software or encryption to use it.
Supports multiple IP list formats including. htaccess, P2P, TXT, DAT, LST, and ZIP.
Filter network based on IP address, protocol, port, and other TCP/IP factors.
Black list and white list IPs.
Supports unlimited connections without IP limits.
Supports only Windows OS.
Verdict: BeeThink is the most straightforward IP Address Blocker. It does exactly what is advertised and nothing more. It has a strictly business-like approach. Hence, it’s a good investment for large businesses that just need IP blocking but not for individuals or small businesses.
Website: Beethink
#5) A2 Hosting
Best For: Small and medium-sized businesses that want a web hosting solution with IP blocker feature.
Price: Monthly Subscription – Shared Hosting: $3. 92 – $9. 31 | Reseller Hosting: $9. 21 – $30. 38 | VPS Hosting: $5 – $25| Dedicated Server Hosting: $99. 59- $141. 09
A2 Hosting has been around since 2001 and thus it has a lot of experience in the field of internet hosting. They not only promise some of the best speeds on the internet, but also some of the best IP blockers in the business.
Shared, VPS, Reseller, and Dedicated hosting services with IP blocker support.
24/7 support
Linux based server
Servers in Europe and the US.
Only two data centers in North America and Europe. If your audience resides elsewhere then you should search for another service.
Limited support for Windows Server.
Verdict: A2 hosting may have some straightforward IP blocking options but it’s not for the small business or the individual. It’s for large businesses that are looking for specific add-ons.
Website: A2 Hosting
#6) Windscribe
Best For: Small businesses and individuals who want to block IPs and keep web connection private.
Price: Basic: Free | Premium: $4. 08 – $9. 00 / month | Customized: $1 per location / month.
Windscribe is generally considered as a good VPN. It supports Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Hence, you won’t have any problem in finding support for it even if you don’t run major platforms. It will function on web browsers so you’re safe.
Windscribe functions in 110 cities in 60 countries, thus it has a pretty wide network.
Block IPs
Mask IP through a proxy server.
Connect via IKEv2, OpenVPN UDP, TCP or Stealth.
The download speeds aren’t the greatest.
No 24/7 customer support.
Long-distance servers feature slow download speeds.
Verdict: Windscribe’s main attraction is its unlimited device connections feature. It is something that not all VPNs, no matter how secure, don’t deliver. If you have a small business with a large employee base or a large business then you can benefit immensely. It’s one of the best IP Address Blockers around.
Website: Windscribe
#7) Ninja IP Hider
Best For: Individual users
Price: Basic: Free |Pro: $29. 99 (One time license).
Ninja IP Hider helps to replace public IP addresses with new ones from a huge list of worldwide IPs. The simple user interface and operation of Ninja IP hider is great for beginners. It offers support only for Windows though.
While the performance of Ninja IP Hider Free has been called into question by a lot of reviewers, the Pro version fares much better. The app supports Windows 10 and Xbox One.
Mask your primary IP address.
Easy user interface
Restricted functionality
Verdict: Ninja IP Hider is extremely restrictive in its operation and only supports Windows. The app is recommended for individuals who want to mask their IPs.
Website: Ninja IP Hider
#8) Proxy
Best For: Small and medium enterprises.
Price: Basic: Free | Premium: $4. 99 – $12. 95 / month | 30-day free trial.
proxy is known for its speed, transparency, and security. The service doesn’t keep logs and their privacy policy is very reliable.
It supports most major platforms and has over 1500 servers in 60 countries. That’s more than enough for most of the small businesses and individuals to keep connections private.
IP masking
AES-256 encryption
+1500 servers in 60 countries
Kill switch to disable all connections instantaneously in case of a breach.
Simultaneous connections
Split tunneling
Fewer servers than the competition.
Can’t get past Netflix geo-blocks.
Verdict: is incredibly fast, secure and transparent. The software can mask IPs by making your connection private. It’s one of the fastest IP proxy applications that can block your IP address from getting detected online.
Website: Proxy
#9) Hotspot Shield
Best For: Small businesses and individual users can take advantage of its great price and value for money. However, it may not have enough options for big businesses.
Price: Basic: Free | Premium: $8. 86 – $14. 40 per month | 7-day free trial.
Hotspot Shield is one of the most famous VPNs online. It has nearly 2500 servers in over 70 countries. It can also connect 5 devices simultaneously. The premium version shows no ads on the service at all, which is always a huge plus.
Hotspot Shield is supported on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, and some smart TVs.
Larger servers +2500
HTTPS encryption
Simultaneous connection
There is a little flexibility due to the use of the Catapult Hydra Protocol.
OpenVPN standards aren’t supported and thus manually setting up routers or game consoles isn’t possible.
Verdict: Hotspot shield is great for small businesses and individuals who want fast speeds. However, the restrictive nature of its protocols means that large businesses won’t find much use for it.
Website: Hotspot Shield
#10) Proton VPN
Best For: Small businesses and individuals who require low-cost plans.
Price: Basic: Free | Premium: $4 – $24 per month |7-day free trial.
Proton VPN offers low-cost plans and a large focus on physical security. It’s a multi-platform VPN with a built-in IP blocker. The app supports Tor connections and is P2P friendly.
+60 servers in 44 countries.
DNS leak prevention
P2P file sharing
Kill switch
Fewer servers and locations than the competition.
Verdict: Proton VPN may be great for individuals and small businesses but it’s not ideal for medium-sized and big businesses. The low-cost plans suit small businesses the best. Individual customers may not find much use for the bundled packages.
Website: Proton VPN
#11) Easy-Hide-IP
Best For: Individuals, small and large businesses.
Price: $3. 95 to $5. 95 per month | 7-day free trial.
Easy Hide IP does exactly what it says. It hides your IP from being tracked online by rerouting your internet traffic. When active, the traffic is routed through Easy Hide IP so it’s impossible to track by the advertisers and hackers.
+150 servers in 26 countries.
OpenVPN/Stunnel, IPSec IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP.
Unlimited bandwidth and speed.
2048-bit encryption
Torrents and P2P Networks
Limited servers when compared to the competition.
Verdict: The IP masking app supports the highest encryption standard when compared to the other apps in this list. This makes the app best for individuals, small businesses, SMEs and even large businesses.
Website: Easy-Hide-IP
#12) CyberGhost
Best For: This is great for individual users and small businesses. There isn’t quite as much support for large businesses.
Price: $3. 69 – $17. 99 per month | 45-day free trial.
CyberGhost is a Romanian and German-based VPN. It has a user-base of over 10 million users. It supports Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. CyberGhost’s main highlight is its task-based app interface.
It allows you to see which website you want to unblock with your IP so that it can select the best one.
Private connection
+6000 servers in over 90 countries.
Automated HTTPS redirection
Automated data compression
Optional dedicated IP
The Desktop interface can seem complicated at times.
Not all connections share equal speeds and can tap out at 10 Mb/s.
Verdict: CyberGhost may not be the best, but it’s a solid choice if you’re a small business. Just make sure that you take advantage of that 45-day money-back guarantee to get your money’s worth. The time is sufficient to decide whether the service is for you or not.
Website: CyberGhost
Conclusion
Any of these IP address blockers is a great choice. However, as mentioned in the protip, you have to figure out which one is right for you based on your requirements.
The best apps for blocking IPs include BeeThink IP Blocker Software, Windscribe, and ProtonVPN. In addition to the IP blocking feature, if you also want online hosting services, then you should select the A2 Hosting plan.
In case you just want to mask your IP address for private connection, then the best apps include Windscribe, Ninja IP Hider, and Hotspot Shield.
Research Process
Time taken to research and write this article: 10 hours
Total Tools researched: 10
Top Tools shortlisted: 5
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How to Hide Your IP Address on Android: 3 Easy Solutions
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Unless you fully trust your ISP, you should hide your IP address on your Android phone or tablet. The best way to do this is with a VPN, though some providers are better than others. Today, we cover the top VPNs with apps optimized for Android devices, and show you how to use one to enhance your privacy online.
An IP address is a unique string of digits that represents your specific device, and it can be used to track your online activities. If you are concerned about privacy or if you want to improve your security, then hiding your IP address is an important step in improving your overall digital protection.
Looking to hide your IP address? Android users trust these VPNs the most:
NordVPN – Best Spoofing VPN – NordVPN stands above the competition with the world’s most robust server network and encryption methods. Secure your virtual IP with their intuitive Android app.
Surfshark – Modest network in terms of size, but has anonymizing measures you won’t find elsewhere. Static IPs and mult-hop available.
ExpressVPN – Blazing fast network with servers all over the world.
CyberGhost – A great generalist VPN with the biggest network. Best for less tech-savvy Android users.
It is particularly important to hide your IP address from your phone, as it holds a huge amount of information about yourself and your location as well as your online activities. Android is by far the most popular mobile operating system in the world, so knowing how to hide your IP address on this OS is an immensely valuable skill. Read on for an in-depth tutorial on how to hide your IP address on Android.
30-days money back guarantee
How To Hide Your IP Address On Android – Read the Solution
Use a VPN
The best way to hide your IP address on Android is to use a virtual private network. A VPN works by installing an app on your Android device, and this app then encrypts all of the data that your device sends over the internet before it leaves your device.
This encrypted data passes through your internet connection as usual, though no one else can access the data or read it. The data is then sent to a server located elsewhere in the location of your choosing, and at the server it is decrypted and sent on to its original destination. When the data leaves this server, it is assigned a new IP address which corresponds to the location of the server rather than your actual location.
This process means that your real IP address is masked behind the new address assigned to you by the server. If you are based in one location – such as Germany, for example – you can connect to a server in another location – such as the UK – and your German IP address will be hidden behind a UK IP address. Then, when you visit a website, you will appear to be browsing from the UK and you can access UK content like the BBC iPlayer. This also means that your real IP address will be kept safe and private.
READ ALSO: How To Fix The BBC iPlayer Proxy Error Screen
Using A VPN App On Android
The particular app that you will use to connect to your VPN server on Android depends on the VPN provider that you choose. However, the general principals of these apps are all the same. If you need getting started, check out our guide to installing a VPN onto Android. Otherwise, continue reading below.
When you open a VPN app for Android, you will not yet be connected to the VPN. First you need to find the list of servers that are available in the VPN app. Often this will be on a separate tab in the form of an alphabetical list, or there may be a map showing locations of available servers.
Decide which server that you want to connect to, based on the following factors:
Firstly, consider the country of the server. If you want to access region locked content, then you need to select a server in the region where you want to access the content from. Alternatively, if you do not need to access region locked content, then you should choose a server that is nearby to your actual location for the best possible speeds.
Secondly, look at the ping and load of the servers. The ping is an indicator of how fast the server is responding to messages sent to it, so you want a server with a low ping so that it will respond quickly and you can get a fast connection. The load indicates how many users are currently using the server, so you want a server with a low load so that you are not sharing limited resources with too many other people.
Once you have selected the server that will best meet your needs, click on the name of the server and you should see a message indicating that you are being connected to that server (it should only take a few seconds for the connection to be made). Once the connection is made, you will see an indicator on the app that the VPN is running, usually in the form of a green light or icon. You will also see a key symbol in your Android status bar to show that you are connected to a VPN.
Now your IP address is hidden, and most VPN apps will show you your new IP address if you navigate to the home screen. This means you can now browse the internet safely and privately from your Android device.
Top Three VPNs For Hiding Your Android IP
There is a massive selection of VPNs available for various devices, so to help you choose which VPN provider is right for you we have compiled a list of our top VPNs for Android, based on the following criteria:
Software support for Android and other operating systems, so that you can install your VPN and use it to protect your Windows, Mac, and iOS devices as well as your Android device.
Excellent security to keep your data safe and private, such as the use of strong 256-bit encryption and a no logging policy so that your online activities will never be recorded.
Fast connections so that using your VPN doesn’t slow down your browsing or downloading too much.
Many servers available so that you can easily find a server in the location that you need, and that doesn’t have a high load on it.
Considering these factors, here are the VPNs that we recommend for Android:
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is a top provider among the greater VPN market largely due to its massive offering of servers. To date, their network numbers 5, 500 nodes across 59 countries, which on its own is an almost ludicrously large amount. However, where NordVPN truly shines is with its array of specialty servers which are optimised for a variety of tasks, such as P2P, anti-DDoS, onion over VPN, double VPN encryption and more. Whatever you may want to do online, NordVPN will help you do it in the utmost security without compromising on performance.
Speaking of which, NordVPN offers some of the fastest connection speeds on the market. This is especially useful for those Android devices with gorgeous full-HD displays that are so often used as mobile streaming centres. And yes, NordVPN does work with Netflix and Hulu. You just have to spoof your IP address in the country where you want access, kick back, and enjoy your streams. If you have trouble connecting, NordVPN has graciously provided troubleshooting guides on their website and is directly available via their customer service.
The Android app makes it easy to select your preferred server with an attractive map interface. Backing this exceptional utility is industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption, and one of the most comprehensive no-logging policies you’ll find anywhere. The icing on the cake? NordVPN offers dedicated IP addresses, so you can hide your location without getting caught in the same dragnet as the shared IPs offered by most VPNs. Your subscription will cover your other devices as well, including Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, Chrome OS and even Windows Phone.
Read our full NordVPN review.
Pros
SPECIAL OFFER: 2-yr plan (68% off – link below)
Over 5, 400 servers in 61 countries
Strong encryption is used on all connections
Strict zero logs policy on both traffic and metadata
24/7 Live Chat.
Cons
Some servers can be unreliable
Apps can sometime be slow to connect.
2. Surfshark
Usually, server count is king when it comes to IP spoofing. In that regard, Surfshark falls a little short of the competition. But, it has a few aces up its sleeve that make it stand out as a truly modern solution to hiding your IP address on Android.
While there are “only” around 800 servers to choose from, every one of them has a breadth of functionality that other providers would reserve for their few specialty servers. This includes Surfshark’s Camouflage mode, which is a method of obfuscation capable of beating even Netflix’s harsh VPN ban. Moreover, there’s the CleanWeb anti-malware/tracking/adware/popup module which you can add to any connection for a safer browsing experience overall.
And with 256-AES-GCM cryptography, an independently verified logging policy, RAM-only servers, and even Bitcoin payments, Surfshark does everything they can to maximize your anonymity online.
Reliably unblocks Netflix US, UK, Japan, and more
One of the first VPNs to implement RAM-only servers
Trial in confidence with a 30-day money back guarantee
Absolutely no logging of connection data, IP addresses, bandwidth used, or traffic
Get help any time of day via email, phone, or live chat.
Speeds occasionally suffer a noticeable drop
Young VPN still has plenty of room to grow in terms of advanced functionality.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is another recommended VPN not only for Android, but across most major platforms. This is largely due to its foolproof user interface, which places simplicity front and center while backing it up with considerable security provisions. All you’ll see on your android device when you fire the app up is a simple green “on” button, which automatically connects you to the nearest server. Of course, you can take a look under the hood and manually select one of their 3, 000+ servers located in 94 countries to dial in your VPN experience.
Underlying this streamlined user experience is unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, and a no-nonsense logging policy which guarantees never to track your traffic online. Extra features include a built-in speed test and the option to launch the app upon starting your Android, ensuring that you’re never without VPN protection. Your subscription extends protection to your other devices as well, including Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Linux, and more.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
Works with US Netflix, iPlayer, Hulu and other services
Super fast servers (minimal speed loss)
Torrenting allowed
Strict no-logs policy for personal information
Slightly pricier than competition.
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost focuses on ease of use, making it ideal for new users who do not have a lot of experience with VPNs. Towards this end, the Android app has a simple graphical interface which makes it dead simple to use. However, this simplicity doesn’t come at a cost to security, as CyberGhost boasts the incredible 256-bit AES encryption along with a strict no logging policy. What’s more, there are over 5, 900 servers available in 90 countries to choose from, giving you a truly unlimited internet.
Perhaps most importantly to Android users seeking to hide their IP addresses is the option for a dedicated IP address. This is especially useful since many VPN blocking efforts such as those deployed by Netflix target the shared IP addresses which most VPNs offer. Having your own unique, masked IP address opens up a world of possibility. Regardless of where or how you choose to connect, CyberGhost promises fast and reliable connections across its entire network.
CyberGhost’s incredible protection is available across multiple platforms in addition to your Android device, including iOS, Windows, and Mac OS.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
Works with Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu
3, 600+ servers, 55+ countries
Robust encryption standards
No logs policy
24/7 Live Support.
Some streaming sites cannot be unblocked.
How Android Users Are Assigned An IP Address
Whenever your phone connects to an online network, it is automatically assigned an IP address. This is a string of numerical characters which is used to uniquely identify your device’s connection to the internet, as well as to alert websites of where you are physically located in the world.
With this information, ISPs and websites (along with other third parties) can effectively track your activity online, as well as your geographical movements. Scary stuff, right? Luckily, a large degree of anonymity can be retained by simply masking your real IP address with that of a VPN’s proxy server.
Why Android Users May Want To Hide Their IP Address
There are many reasons that Android users might want to hide their IP address, such as the following:
Protect Your Privacy
When you leave your actual IP address exposed, any site that you visit can record your IP address and keep records of your activity on that site. This means that there exists a record of all of the sites that you visit and all of your online activities, which are linked by your IP. Your ISP or the government can easily use your IP address to keep tabs on you, even when you try to use a site anonymously. Hiding your IP address makes it much harder for your online activities to be tracked.
Download in Safety
If you are going to participate in file sharing, then you absolutely need to take steps to protect yourself. This is especially important if you use torrent files, as when you download using these files, you expose your IP address while others download from you. This means that it is very easy for your downloading activities to be tracked. By hiding your IP address, you throw down a virtual smoke bomb that makes it impossible for third-parties to see what you’re downloading, or even that you’re downloading anything in the first place.
Improve Your Security
When your IP address is public, it can be used to target you for cyber attacks. For example, a DDoS attack occurs when a person wants to knock your device off the internet. This type of attack, called a distributed denial of service attack, works by co-ordinating various machines from around the world to send huge packets of data to the same IP address – in this case, your IP address – to overwhelm the server you are connected to and thus knock you offline. You can protect yourself against DDoS attacks, as well as other cyber attacks such as phishing and vishing, by hiding your IP address so that malicious actors cannot target you.
Bypass Regional Restrictions and Censorship
One way that IP addresses are used by websites is to restrict the access to content based on the location of the user. For example, sites like the BBC iPlayer can only be used to watch video within the UK. When you try to visit the iPlayer website, the site reads your IP address and works out your location. If your location is within the UK, you are allowed to watch the videos, but if your location is elsewhere then the videos will not play. This means that if you want to watch region locked content like the BBC from outside the UK on your Android device, then you will need to hide your IP address.
Conclusion
Android users may want to hide their IP address for a variety of reasons, such as improving digital security and protecting from DDoS and other attacks, getting around regional restrictions to access the internet more freely, to download files more safely, and to protect their privacy. All of this can be achieved through the use of a VPN which allows you to mask your real address behind an IP address assigned by the VPN server. We have recommended a number of VPNs which provide dedicated software for Android devices. Read about how to your IP on iphones.
Have you tried any of these VPNs for Android? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions about best free way to hide ip address
What is the best free IP address hider?
List of Best IP Blocker And Masking AppsA2 Hosting.Windscribe.Ninja IP Hider.Hide.me proxy.Hotspot Shield.ProtonVPN.Easy-Hide-IP.CyberGhost.More items…
How can I hide my phone IP address for free?
Use a VPN. The best way to hide your IP address on Android is to use a virtual private network. A VPN works by installing an app on your Android device, and this app then encrypts all of the data that your device sends over the internet before it leaves your device.Dec 6, 2020
Do free VPNS hide your IP?
A virtual private network (VPN) can hide a user’s internal protocol address (IP address) and block their location and browser history, allowing them to share and receive information on public internet networks more privately. … Even if you use a private browsing mode, your IP address can still be collected.