An IP address is a unique address that identifies your device on the internet or a local network. An IP address is the key to discovering the location and other information of visitors to websites and other online services. If you want to protect your online activity, you should hide your IP address. The most useful way to connect to websites while hiding your IP address is to use a VPN.
How to Hide Your IP Address and Connect to Websites:
1.Register with a VPN (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
2.Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server
- ExpressVPN: Recommended for those who need higher internet speed
>>Sign up through our site get an extra 3 months free! - NordVPN: Recommended for those who want to balance price and internet speed
- SurfShark
: Recommended for those on a budget
How do VPNs Hide Your IP Address?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a secure connection method between your device and the internet. Using a VPN changes your IP address. Changing your IP address with a VPN helps hide your IP address.
Websites like YouTube determine where they are accessed from based on the location of the IP address, and show content based on that determination. This includes language, pricing, and so on. If you access websites restricted to Japan from a US IP address, content limited to Japan will not be shown.
However, if you access the websites via an internet provider in Japan, screen content for Japan will be shown. This includes language, pricing, and so on.
For example, an IP address from access via an internet provider in the US is shown below on the left, and an IP address from access via a VPN server in Japan is shown below on the right.
You will find that using a VPN changes and hides your IP address regardless of where you are.
If you are concerned about your online activity being exposed by a VPN service, you should choose VPN services with no-logs policies like ExpressVPN, NordVPN and SurfsharkVPN. A no-logs policy means the VPN service keeps no activity or connection logs, and doesn’t collect or share your private data. So, they can’t provide any details about you to third parties, even if they are asked to.
Examples of online activity: websites you visited, files you downloaded, software you used, and when and for how long you were connected
How to hide your IP address
Let’s take a look at how you can hide your IP address using ExpressVPN, one of our recommended VPN services.
- Register with ExpressVPN
- Download and launch the app and connect to a server
You need to access websites while connected to a server in the country of the website that you want to connect to, so that they will treat you as if you are accessing it from that country.
STEP1. Register with ExpressVPN
To register with ExpressVPN, click the “Get ExpressVPN Today” button as shown below. After the price plan is shown, follow the instructions.
STEP2. Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server
After registering with ExpressVPN, download and launch the app. For example, if you want to connect to Japan, click “…” in the app and type “Japan” in the search box. Now, you can find a server in Japan.
Select a server and click the power icon in the middle. Now, you can connect to a server in Japan.
As an example, an IP address from access via an internet provider in the US is on the left, and an IP address from access via a VPN server in Japan is on the right. You will find that your IP address changes when you change what country you are connected from.
Five Advantages of Using a VPN to Hide Your IP Address
Here are five advantages of using a VPN to hide your IP address.
- Protect Your Online Activity from Outsiders While Using Free Public Wi-Fi
- Use Internet Services as if You were still in Your Home Country while Traveling
- Unblock Websites which are not Available in Your Country
- Get Subscriptions for a Lower Price (YouTube Premium, Netflix, Spotify, etc)
- Avoid Sensorship and Surveillance
1. Protect Your Online Activity from Outsiders While Using Free Public Wi-Fi
Using free public wi-fi is very useful for internet browsing or shopping. But there are some problems in terms of privacy and security, such as theft of passwords, financial information, and more.
By using a VPN, your online activity goes through an encrypted tunnel. This can keep your online activity private and ensure safety.
ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and SurfsharkVPN, our recommended VPN services, keep no activity or connection logs. They do not log traffic data, or anything that could be used to identify you. If you use one of these services, you can maintain high security such that it is difficult to identify you, even for the police.
2. Use Internet Services as if You were still in Your Home Country while Traveling
Sometimes you can’t access internet services available in your home country while traveling. Content on variouse websites is different country by country because of copyright issues and more. But by using a VPN, you can get access to your favorite content as if you were still in your home country.
3. Unblock Websites which are not Available in Your Country
Similar but opposite to the above, by using a VPN you can get access to content which is not available in your country, such as YouTube, HBO Max, Paramount+, BBC iPlayer (which is restricted to UK residents only), and more.
How to watch “Video unavailable” videos on YouTube
How to watch BBC iPlayer from anywhere you are
4. Get Subscriptions for a Lower Price (YouTube Premium, Netflix, Spotify, etc)
Subscription services that are provided around the world, such as YouTube Premium and Netflix, are priced differently country by country. This is done to maximize profits by setting prices for each country based on the economic conditions there. For this reason, prices are high in developed countries and low in developing countries.
By using a VPN, you can also get subscriptions for a lower price, so we recommend VPNs for people who want to subscribe to these services as cheaply as possible.
Save Money with a VPN – 6 of the Best Subscription Services
5. Avoid Sensorship and Surveillance
In some places around the world, especially in China, internet restrictions are very strong. You will notice that popular websites like LINE and Facebook are not available in China. But by using a VPN, you can access these websites on your mobile phone and PC, even from China. If you are staying in China long term, it can be said that a VPN is an essential service.
Is it legal to use a VPN in China?
The Best VPN Services for Hiding Your IP Address
Here are some excellent VPN services we recommend.
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | SurfShark | |
| Prices | 1-Month: $12.95 6-Months: $9.99/month 12-Months: $6.67/month | 1-Month: $11.99 12-Months: $4.99/month 24-Months: $3.99/month | 1-Month: $12.95 12-Months: $3.99/month 24-Months: $2.39/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Countries | 105 | 60 | 100 |
| Servers | 3,000+ | 5,800+ | 3,200+ |
| Maximum devices supported | 8 | 10 | Unlimited |
| Connection Speed | Ultra Fast | Fast | Fast |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch | AES-256 Kill Switch | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Privacy | No-logging | No-logging | No-logging |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support |
ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds
| Prices | 1-Month: $12.95 6-Months: $9.99/month 12-Months: $6.67/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 105 |
| Servers | 3,000+ |
| Maximum devices supported | 8 |
ExpressVPN offers some of the fastest internet speeds among the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. Review sites consistently rank ExpressVPN as one of the fastest VPNs. Additionally, with over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, you have a wide choice of countries to change IP addresses to. Real humans are available 24-hour live chat support to help you with setup and troubleshooting. ExpressVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can use it to easily browse the internet just by downloading their app.
- Place a high importance on internet speed
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance of Price and Internet Speed
| Prices (standard plan) | 1-Month: $11.99 12-Months: $4.99/month 24-Months: $3.99/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 60 |
| Servers | 5,800+ |
| Maximum devices supported | 10 |
NordVPN’s excellent service, and balance of price, internet speed, servers, and countries, has allowed it to gain the greatest market share in the world. Overall, NordVPN consistently receives great reviews from leading experts. NordVPN has more than 5,800 servers in 60 countries, so you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. You can et help and advice from our friendly customer support team through email or live chat for your 24/7. And NordVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using NordVPN just by downloading their app.
- Want to balance price and internet speed
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
Surfshark: Impressive Performance with a Lower Price
| Prices (standard plan) | 1-Month: $12.95 12-Months: $3.99/month 24-Months: $2.39/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 100 |
| Servers | 3,200+ |
| Maximum devices supported | Unlimited |
Surfshark offers impressive performance with a lower price. You can get Surfshark much cheaper than other services if you apply for the 24-month plan. Furthermore, Surfshark has no connection limits. So, you and your family can connect and use all your devices simultaneously. Surfshark has more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries. Just like the other VPNs, you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. Customer support experts are there for you 24/7, if you need a helping hand with them via live chat or email. And SurfsharkVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using Surfshark by downloading their app.
- Who are budget conscious and want to want to connect with lots of devices
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
Conclusion
- The most useful way to connect to websites while hiding your IP address is to use a VPN. If you use VPNs services with a no-log policy, you can enjoy online activity with more peace of mind.
- You need to access websites while connected to a server in the country, so that they will treat you as if you are accessing it from that country.
- Five advantages of using a VPN to hide your IP address:
1. Protect your online activity from outsiders while using free public wi-fi
2. Use internet services as if you were still in your home country while traveling
3. Unblock websites which are not available in your country
4. Get subscriptions for a lower price (YouTube Premium, Netflix, Spotify, etc)
5. Avoid censorship and surveillance
- ExpressVPN: Recommended for those who need higher internet speed
>>Sign up through our site get an extra 3 months free! - NordVPN: Recommended for those who want to balance price and internet speed
- SurfShark: Recommended for those on a budget
