How to hide your IP address

Quick answer

There are three real ways to change the IP that sites see, in rough order of practicality.

1. A VPN

A VPN routes your traffic through its server, so sites see the VPN’s IP instead of yours. This is the everyday answer: easy, covers all your apps, and encrypts the connection. Choose a provider with a credible no-logs policy — the VPN can see what your ISP otherwise would, so trust matters.

2. Tor

The Tor Browser bounces your traffic through volunteer relays, hiding your IP behind an exit node. It’s free and strong for anonymity, but slow and unsuitable for streaming or large downloads.

3. A proxy

A web proxy changes your IP for a single browser or site but typically doesn’t encrypt traffic. It’s the weakest option and best reserved for low-stakes geo-unblocking.

One caveat for VPN users: check our WebRTC leak test, since some browsers expose your real IP even with a VPN active.