Change Your Public IP Address: Tips & Methods

There are many reasons you may choose to change your IP address, some personal and some technical. Before you begin, however, you’ll need to find your current IP address . Now that you’ve found your IP address, you probably still have no idea of what it is, what it does, or why you might want a new one.  Read on for helpful information about this mysterious “IP address,” why you might need to change your IP address and a guide for changing it on nearly any operating system. You can also learn differences about dynamic and static IP . If you’re not entirely clear on what an IP address is or what it does, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that nearly 98% of all casual internet users don’t know, either. In simple terms, your IP address is your computer’s public network address created so the internet knows where to send your email, data, and other information. It’s also a useful way to keep you logged in to websites so you don’t have to re-enter passwords for each visit (so many passwords!). Suppose, for example, you must re-enter your credentials when visiting familiar websites from new devices, or you need to enter a security code to gain access with your credentials. In that case, it’s because each device you use has its own IP address and unless you’ve used that device to access a website before, the site doesn’t recognize the IP address of the device you’re using. Various tools to change IP are available to help users customize their internet connections, resolve technical issues, or protect their privacy. Most commonly, the IP address is assigned through your Internet Service Provider (ISP). One way your IP address may be tracked is through cookies, which aren’t quite as delicious as they sound. Cookies do more than remember you, they store your personal information, what pages you’ve visited, purchases you’ve made on the site, and your geophysical location among other somewhat invasive pieces of information. Instead of a side of ice-cold milk with your cookies, you’ll get a heaping helping of targeted ads. If you don’t want your browsing history shared with third-party sites, hackers, and even intrusive government spying, you can mask your IP address with a VPN or change it on your devices. There are a few reasons you may want (or need) to change your IP address . These may include: An easy way to change an IP address is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). The VPN creates a private tunnel for sending and receiving data. It bypasses the normal route for internet traffic, which involves sending data directly to your ISP. By bypassing the ISP servers, your traffic looks as though it’s being sent and received through a server located somewhere else entirely. A VPN not only helps you hide IP address but also acts as one of the most efficient tools for enhanced privacy and security. It masks the IP address from any websites you visit and helps to ensure anonymity in your internet browsing by encrypting your connection. VPNs are available for a small monthly fee, with some versions offered for free . Using a VPN is a way to mask your IP address rather than having to change it. The easiest way to use a VPN is to simply download the program and install it on your device. You’re connected, masked, and ready to browse privately. You can run a speed test through the app to make sure the server is running smoothly, and if it’s not, choose another server. It’s important to note that you can choose from multiple servers in multiple locations to appear that you are located nearly anywhere across the globe. This is a great feature for those looking for content from sites in locations that may ban users from certain countries from accessing their sites. A proxy is similar to a VPN in that it acts as a sort of middleman, connecting you to websites using its address instead of your personal IP address. It will not encrypt your connection like a VPN will, and will not offer as many features as a VPN provider. It also lacks the security of a VPN, so it’s a little riskier. It’s still an easy-to-use way to mask your IP address, however, and can be done right from your internet browser. Start by searching “proxy server list” online and choosing one. Here are a few popular browsers and examples of setting up a proxy in each. Choose settings from the three dots in the upright-hand corner. You may choose to change your IP address manually. Some of these methods are more technical but they aren’t difficult to do, even for non-tech-savvy users. The easiest way to change IP manually is simply to reset your router. Note that this method will simply issue a new dynamic IP address (constantly changing) rather than a static one. If you're working within a local network, you might also need to consider your private IP address , which is used to identify devices within the same network. You can also choose to refresh your IP address. Here are the ways to do so on the popular operating services. Another alternative is to change your IP manually on all your devices as explained below. If you use windows, you can change the IP address in just a few steps. You can manually change IP on Mac easily from the Systems Preferences menu. Changing IP on Android takes just a few easy steps. Apple users, don’t feel left out! It’s easy to change IP address on all iOS devices, too. If you’ve tried some of the methods above and still have questions or problems, join the online Change IP Address Forum to search for answers or ask questions of our members.