Hiding your IP isn't one technique — it's a spectrum from "good enough for casual privacy" to "defending against a nation-state." Here are five real options ranked by what they actually protect against.

1. VPN — the everyday default

A VPN encrypts all your traffic and routes it through a remote server. Websites see the VPN's IP. Your ISP sees only encrypted traffic going to the VPN. Best for: daily privacy, geo-unblocking streaming, public Wi-Fi safety. Watch out for: free VPNs that log and sell data, and DNS/WebRTC leaks (how to verify it's actually working).

2. Tor — strongest anonymity

Tor routes traffic through three random volunteer relays, encrypting at each hop. The destination sees the exit node's IP, no relay knows both you and the destination. Best for: journalists, whistleblowers, anyone who needs strong anonymity. Trade-off: slow, breaks many sites, exit nodes can sniff unencrypted traffic.

3. Proxy server — quick, light, weak

A proxy forwards your requests from a different IP. Best for: casual geo-unblocking on a single browser. Trade-off: usually no encryption, the proxy operator sees everything, leaks IP via WebRTC and DNS by default.

4. Switch to mobile data (or vice versa)

Disconnect Wi-Fi, enable cellular — instantly different IP from a different network. Often enough to bypass a temporary block or rate limit. Doesn't hide you from your carrier, but does hide your home IP from the next site.

5. iCloud Private Relay (Apple users only)

Built into iCloud+. Safari traffic routes through two relays — Apple knows your IP, the relay knows the site, neither knows both. Best for: Safari users who want light VPN-like privacy without installing anything. Trade-off: Safari only, doesn't cover other apps.

Verify whatever you use

After turning on any of these, check your IP to confirm what websites now see. If your real IP, ISP, or city is still showing, your protection isn't doing what you think it is.

Try it now

Curious what your IP is showing the world right now? Check your IP address & location instantly with our free tool — no signup, nothing stored. Or trace any other IP to see its geolocation, ISP, and network details.