Guide
How to hide your IP address
VPNs, proxies, Tor, mobile data and public Wi-Fi compared for hiding your IP — plus how to test for DNS, IPv6 and WebRTC leaks afterwards.
On this page
The five methods compared
| Method | Privacy | Speed | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPN | High | Fast | Paid | Everyday browsing, public Wi-Fi, geo-blocked services |
| Tor Browser | Very high | Slow | Free | Journalism, research, censorship circumvention |
| HTTP/SOCKS proxy | Low | Fast | Free/paid | Single-app routing, scraping, testing |
| Mobile hotspot | Low | Varies | Data cost | Getting a different address quickly |
| Public Wi-Fi | Low | Varies | Free | Temporary change of address only |
VPN — the practical default
A VPN builds an encrypted tunnel between your device and a server run by the provider. Websites see the server's address; your ISP sees only encrypted traffic to that server. Choose a provider with an audited no-logs policy, modern protocols (WireGuard or OpenVPN), a working kill switch and its own DNS resolvers.
Remember the trade-off: you move trust from your ISP to the VPN operator. And because VPN addresses live in datacentres, our checker will label them as such — expect more CAPTCHAs and the occasional streaming block.
Tor — maximum anonymity
Tor routes traffic through three volunteer relays with layered encryption, so no single hop knows both who you are and what you are requesting. It is the strongest freely available option, but it is slow, some sites block exit nodes outright, and you should avoid logging into accounts that identify you while using it.
Proxies — fast but shallow
A proxy changes the address a site sees, and that is all. Free proxies frequently log traffic, inject advertising or terminate HTTPS. Use them for automation and testing, never as a privacy tool.
Test for leaks afterwards
Changing your IP means nothing if something else gives you away. After connecting, run this four-point check:
- IPv4 check — open the IP checker. The address, ISP and country must all differ from your real ones.
- IPv6 check — the IPv6 row must show either the VPN's address or "Not available". Your real ISP prefix there is a leak.
- WebRTC check — the browser fingerprint panel on the home page should report "No leak detected".
- DNS check — your queries should resolve through the VPN's resolvers, not your ISP's.
Kill switch first. Without one, a dropped tunnel silently exposes your real IP mid-session. Enable it in your VPN client and re-run the checks above.
What hiding your IP will not do
It will not stop browser fingerprinting, cookies, tracking pixels or logged-in account tracking. If you sign in to a service, your IP is irrelevant — the account identifies you. Combine an IP change with a hardened browser, tracker blocking and separate profiles for genuine separation.
Next: understand exactly what your IP reveals, or check a suspicious address in the lookup tool.
Frequently asked questions
Is hiding your IP address legal?
In most countries yes — VPNs and Tor are legal and widely used by businesses. A handful of jurisdictions restrict or license them, so check local rules before travelling.
Do free VPNs hide my IP properly?
They change the visible address, but many free services log activity, inject ads or leak DNS and WebRTC data. If privacy is the goal, a reputable paid provider or Tor is a better choice.
Does incognito mode hide my IP address?
No. Private browsing only clears local history and cookies. Your IP address is unchanged and fully visible to every site you visit.
Keep reading
Check any other IP address
Investigating a suspicious login, a spam email header or a server log entry? Run any IPv4 or IPv6 address through the same geolocation and proxy checks.