How to hide your IP address and connect to websites

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

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.

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” 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.

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

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)

By using a VPN, you can also save money on subscriptions, like YouTube Premium, Netflix and more.

For example, the price for YouTube Premium in the US is $11.99/month. But the price in India is around $1.57/month. So you can save around $10.40/month ($125/year) if you contract via India.

Save Money with a VPN – 6 of the Best Subscription Services

5. Avoid censorship 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 what we think are some excellent VPN services.

ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds

ExpressVPN has some of the fastest internet speeds of the VPNs we have used. ExpressVPN is consistently found by review sites to be one of the fastest VPNs. Furthermore, they have more than 5,200 servers in 94 countries, so you have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. We have confirmed that you can even connect to servers in China, where restrictions are strong. And ExpressVPN 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.

Prices	1-Month: ＄12.95 6-Months: ＄9.99/month 12-Months: ＄8.32/month
Money-back Guarantee	30 days
Countries	60
Servers	5,200
Devices	5

▼Official Site▼

\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/

NordVPN:  The Ultimate Balance of Price and Internet Speed

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 5,400 servers in 59 countries, so you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. We also have confirmed that you can even connect to servers in China, where restrictions are strong. 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.

Prices (standard plan)	1-Month: ＄11.99 12-Months: ＄4.99/month 24-Months: ＄3.99/month
Money-back Guarantee	30 days
Countries	59
Servers	5,400+
Devices	6

▼Official Site▼

\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/

Surfshark: Impressive Performance with a Lower Price

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 99 countries. Just like the other VPNs, you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. And also, we have confirmed that you can even connect to servers in China, where restrictions are strong. And SurfsharkVPN also has a no-log policy.

After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using Surfshark by downloading their app.

Prices (standard plan)	1-Month: ＄12.95 12-Months: ＄3.99/month 24-Months: ＄2.30/month
Money-back Guarantee	30 days
Countries	99
Servers	3,200+
Devices	Unlimited

▼Official Site▼

\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/

Conclusion