When you are online and you browse websites your Internet Protocol (IP) addressis used to identify your computer. It can be used to locate your computer and trace your online behaviour. Anytime you browse online a track of your movement is kept on the sites you access with the help of your IP. There is a few ways you can change your IP.
Manually change your IP address
If you work in a company where private networks are used, you might need to beable to change your IP in order to get access to one of those networks. It depends on the platform you are working on, but here is a step by step manual for the most common ones.
How to Change IP address on a Mac
- SelectSystem Preferences.
- ChooseNetwork.
- Select an active network interface from the sidebar.
- Note your current IP address so you can make an informed change.
- Click the Advanced button.
- SelectTCP/IP.
- SelectManuallyfrom the Configure IPv4 menu.
- Enter a static IP address in theIPv4 Address field.
- ClickOKand then clickApply.
How to Change IP address on a Windows 10 Computer
- Open Network and Sharing Center in Control Panel.
- Click on the Connections link.
- Click on the properties tab of the window that opens.
- SelectInternet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IP v4).
- Choose Use the following IP address and fill in the IP address.
- Select Use the following DNS server and enter the appropriate address.
- Check the Validate settings upon exit box and clickOK.
- Your PC automatically runs network diagnostics and verifies your connection
These are general instructions, if your Windows is a different version then there might be some minor differences in the steps.
Automatically Change your IP
The IP address is provided by your router, which gets its address by your ISP. Once you have your current IP you can proceed and later verify that your IP is actually changed. The first thing you can try is turning off your router for about five minutes or a bit longer. You can also try leaving your router off overnight. Your IP address is dynamically assigned by your provider but your ISP might havea longer lease on your address and that is why you should leave it off longer. Once you turn it on your IP address should be different. Another way to change itis to connect to another network, for example an internet café or a neighbour’s Wi-Fi network. The IP address is dynamically assigned to your device by the provider.
Change your IP with a VPN
Any of the previous ways to change your IP might have worked for you, using a VPN can be utilised when you need a more advanced needs. You might need to circumvent geo-blocking or you might just want to keep your online privacy. When you use a VPN you are masking your IP address and then when you browseonline the IP address they see is not your actual machine’s IP address. VPN services usually have servers in multiple locations around the world, and these servers’ addresses are used when you use their service. There are many VPN services you can find with different features, prices, number of servers, etc. Find the one that suits your needs best and keep your secrets to yourself.
These are just three ways to change your IP if you need to.