How to hide your IP address without a VPN
It is essential to enable your device access the internet using an IP address. It is also known for compromising your privacy while browsing the internet.
You may hide your location for many reasons. Some include masking your location, bypassing censorship/geo-blocks, avoiding digital footprints, etc.
A VPN is an excellent option to hide IP addresses, but it’s not the only one. You’ll soon discover that there are other options.
Ready? Let’s begin.
How to hide your IP address without using a VPN
There are many ways to hide your IP address without using a VPN. A proxy server can be used to act as an intermediary between your device (and the internet) Another option is the TOR network, which routes traffic through volunteer-owned servers. A NAT firewall can be used to protect your identity behind a private network.
Here’s how it works:
Proxy server
Proxy servers are a gateway between you and the internet. It manages all of your internet requests and replies via remote routers.
This process will replace your IP address with an anonymous one. It conceals your identity online by doing this.
Proxy servers can be set up quickly and do not require any software installation like VPNs. You can set them up on any device with this flexibility.
Also, proxy servers are better at compressing data. This results in lower bandwidth costs. Unfortunately, some website features may be lost by proxy servers, which can lead to a sub-par user experience.
The TOR network
The TOR network is a reliable solution to anonymize internet interactions. It uses onion routing technology, which channels your traffic through opaque web servers.
The service can usually be accessed via a compatible TOR browser. It masks your IP by using a random address that is assigned by the network.
To increase your security, TOR networks route traffic to multiple servers. This doubles the encryption, making it difficult for anyone to spy on you.
NAT firewall
Another effective way to hide your IP is with a Network Address Translation firewall (NAT). It is a router/gateway that protects devices behind a private network.
NAT modifies your private address by replacing it with a public one. Your identity is kept secret for increased online security.
This solution acts as a middleman and proxy server. It’s actually located inside the house, not in remote locations.
Psiphon
Psiphon, which has IP masking capabilities, is an internet bypass tool that can be used to bypass internet censorship. It functions in a similar way to a VPN, but has better security.
Multi-hop technology is used to anonymize traffic. This solution includes thousands of servers. When connected to the network, it will replace your IP address with a unique virtual one.
Users can select their preferred region using the application, such as a VPN. You can also increase your speed for a small fee.
Each method has its pros and cons
First, you need to know how to hide your IP address without using a VPN. The next step is to analyze each method’s pros & cons so you can choose the best.
Proxy server
A proxy server conceals your IP address to protect your privacy, as we have already mentioned. This protects your personally identifiable information from being leaked on the internet.
This solution also uses heavy data compression to increase browsing speed. It may cause some websites to appear blurred, even though it reduces bandwidth.
A proxy server, like other solutions allows you to bypass geoblocks. You can access content that isn’t available in your area without any hassle.
Unfortunately, proxy servers lack the encryption capabilities of VPNs, TOR and Psiphon. Although it conceals your true identity, it will not protect you from spying.
It is not compatible with many local networks. Depending on the device, configuration may take some time.
TOR network
You can use the TOR network with any compatible browser for free. You only need one to get started.
Multi-hoping technology, which routes traffic to multiple servers, makes this solution secure. Your data is encrypted with each move, making them virtually impossible to hack.
The only way to access dark web is via TOR browsers. Although we do not encourage illegal activity, you might find clean and meaningful content that is kept secret from the public.
However, it can slow down your browsing speed. Some platforms might also block visitors who use TOR-based services.
Unlike Psiphon however, TOR does not encrypt the network at exit nodes. This means that some of your data could leak, which can compromise your security.
NAT firewall
A NAT firewall provides superior IP spoofing capabilities for large-scale operations. This firewall is best suited for organizations that need to protect employees or internal network systems.
This solution has the added benefit of lower internet anonymity costs. This solution requires a single gateway so institutions won’t have to purchase individual IPs.
A NAT can be configured to provide better security than other methods. It can be configured to block suspicious traffic or phishing URLs.
This solution is not for everyone. It requires special skills to setup and manage. Smaller organizations may be disappointed by the high cost of installation.
You can’t use a NAT firewall while you are on the go, unlike the other options. To hide your IP, you will need to use other VPN options.
Psiphon
Psiphon functions in the same way as a VPN. It’s free and compatible with all operating systems.
It is unique because it allows you to choose your preferred location. It also offers the convenience of using an IP that is regionally based.
To improve user security, Psiphon regularly changes its IPs. It is the only encryption solution that matches VPNs.
The service only offers moderate speeds. To speed up your browsing, you will need to buy a speed bundle.
Psiphon can be used on both mobile and PC phones. It is not possible to configure it on routers or other internet-enabled devices.
Conclusion
Let’s summarize!
Proxy servers are ideal for web scrapping and lightweight browsing. However, TOR is recommended if you wish to access sites on the dark internet.
A NAT firewall may be preferred by organizations to protect their systems as it reduces the need for individual IPs.
Psiphon provides a better browsing experience and VPN-like capabilities. It provides solid security and good browsing speeds. You can also switch between locations.
You now know how to hide IP address using a VPN. To help you choose the best solution for your needs, consider the pros and cons of each method.
