How to Change Your IP Address and Become Anonymous in 2024
Let’s face it, we’re living in a world that is slowly but surely taking away our privacy. In order to remain completely “off the grid” you really need to avoid things like owning a computer or smartphone and staying offline as much as possible. That life is not ideal, and certainly not for everybody. Thankfully, if you just want to change your IP address and stay anonymous online, you won’t have to go such extremes, just use any of the 5 methods detailed below and you should be OK. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Why Do You Need to Change Your IP Address?
There is a lot of information that can be gathered from your IP address, and in reality, there is no reason for anyone to know. Changing your IP address is also a good idea from a security standpoint, unrelated to ISP’s and Government agencies.
If you are being targeted in cyber attacks by identity thieves or hackers, all they need is to get their hands on your IP address and they are just a few keystrokes from getting all your personal data.
Spending a few dollars a month is a very worthwhile way to prevent your data from falling into the wrong hands.
Secure your personal data risk-free
5 Simple Techniques to Change Your IP Address
Your IP address is similar to a mailing address in the sense that people can look at it and see where you are located. Unlike a mailing address, it won’t give away exactly where your house is, but it will pin it down to a general geographical area. Your ISP can use it to track what websites you’ve been to and throttle your internet speeds. Government agencies can demand this information from the ISP and use it in an investigation or just to build a profile on you.
So wouldn’t it be nice to throw everyone off the scent with a fake IP Address while you enjoy freedom online?
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
1. Download and Install a VPN
Choosing a reliable VPN is the most convenient and secure method of changing your IP. Some of the benefits you’ll find in using such services include:
- Changing your IP Address
- Powerful security encryption
What’s clear is that the advantages of using a VPN are more than just changing an IP address, but it includes robust security features as well. Setting up a VPN takes just a few minutes and you can quickly connect with servers all over the world. Once you’ve done so, it gives you a different IP address.
Now, with all these in mind, we know that the next question in your mind is, “which VPN should I use to change my IP address?” Well, after carrying out extensive tests both on speed and performance, we’ve come up with 3 of the most reliable services around today.
The Top 3 VPNs for Changing Your IP Address Securely
1. ExpressVPN
Once you connect with any of the 3,000+ servers in over 105 countries your online activities will remain anonymous. ExpressVPN is located in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands and maintains a strict no-logs policy. This means that even if it was subpoenaed and somehow forced to turn over any information, it would have nothing to give over. This was proven during a 2017 investigation when Turkish officials seized their servers only to discover that there was no information to be collected.
If you want to change your IP address, Express is one of the best VPNs I’ve tested. It has fast speeds to avoid any buffering.
Don’t take my word for it! With ExpressVPN’s “no questions asked” refund policy, you can try it risk-free for 30 days.
Change your IP Address with ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost
When it comes to anonymity, there is nothing better than being a ghost. That is the idea behind CyberGhost, a VPN with servers in over 100 countries and the option to choose from several security protocols such as OpenVPN, L2TP-IPsec, and PPTP. The app also has DNS and IP Leak protection which allows you to test the program to ensure that your IP address is being properly changed.
You can try all of CyberGhost’s security features for yourself with its money-back guarantee. When you sign up for a longer plan, you get 45-days completely risk-free!
Change your IP Address with CyberGhost
3. Private Internet Access (PIA)
Private Internet Access (PIA) shields your online activities from snoops by blocking trackers, ads, and malware automatically with its MACE feature. You can test for various critical security issues such as DNS, IPv6, and email leaks through the company website.
PIA also maintains a no-logs policy and allows payment with Bitcoin for guaranteeing anonymity.
Just like the other VPNs on this list, you can try out PIA risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee.
Change your IP Address with PIA
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
2. You Can Use a Proxy (Although they’re not as fast as a VPN)
Proxy servers are decent tools that will effectively change your IP address. They act as ‘middlemen’ as they connect your internet information packets to their various destinations while at the same time transforming their appearance as they navigate through the proxy. Basically, proxy servers intercept your web-browsing traffic and take control of your entire connection.
The problems with using a Proxy
The ability to change your actual IP address is where the similarities between proxies and VPNs end. So, here are some of the distinguishing factors you should remember before you decide to pick a proxy server over a VPN:
- Proxies run very slowly. This can be frustrating when trying to browse the web
- Proxies don’t have security protocols
- Proxies don’t encrypt your data
- Proxies intercept user traffic per application only while a VPN will protect all data moving in and out of your entire system.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
3. Use TOR
TOR or commonly known as the “The Onion Router” is a free system that anonymously connects users to volunteer-operated server networks. As such, it assigns you a brand-new IP address just like the way a VPN does.
Unfortunately, since TOR is a widely available, anonymous, and free network, it’s become popular with criminal activities.
Another significant disadvantage of using TOR is that it’s extremely slow as it routes your data packets through long routes, relaying them from one server to another until they eventually reach their destination. Of course, this is done to keep your internet activities safe.
Change your IP Address instantly with a VPN
4. Use Your Cell Phone Networks
Another fast method of changing your IP address, if you fear yours being compromised is by using your mobile’s data. As it’s an entirely different system, it will have a somewhat unique IP address. However, we wouldn’t advise you to substitute this with your PC workstation/laptop. Instead, use it in cases of emergency, for instance, when your IP is facing an imminent attack. That being said, we realize that relying on cell phone data is not only a short-sighted method but also ineffective.
5. Use Someone Else’s Network or a Public Wi-Fi
If you don’t wish to trouble yourself with complicated downloads and app installation steps, just connect to public Wi-Fi like those found in airports, hotels, and cafes. This is another alternative technique of changing your IP address as you’ll be browsing using your connected network.
While this will give you anonymity with an untraceable IP address, it does leave your data vulnerable to hackers. Therefore we strongly advise that if you are going to rely on unsecured or public wifi that you connect with a VPN that can encrypt your data and give you a secure connection.
Change your IP Address reliably
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Use These Top VPNs to Effectively Change Your IP Address in 2024
