IP Masking: A Guide to Mask Your IP Online and What Are Advantages of IP Masking?

What is IP Masking?

IP masking is the procedure of hiding your original IP address, changing it with a new virtual IP address. It helps to cover your digital footprints and with the new virtual IP assigned, nobody is able to trace your actual location. It is required in several cases when we need online anonymity, security, privacy of actions or want to access geo-restricted content.

There are multiple ways to achieve this target.

Proxies:

Intermediate servers that use an entirely new IP address to route your internet traffic.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs):

Virtual Private Networks use secure tunnels that route your internet traffic through servers present at different regional locations. These networks ensure secure data transfer by encrypting whole data. Some browsers also come with built-in VPN that server you the same way. XNXUBD VPN Browser APK is one of them that helps you make secure connection online and enjoy browsing as you need.

SSH Tunneling:

It transfers data in encrypted form on a specific port using a secure SSH tunnel.

Tor Networks:

This network of virtual tunnels allows you to improve your privacy and security on the internet by wrapping your data in multiple encryption layers.

Internet is a public place where every kind of people are present doing their regular activities. If you are working online without any protection, it is obvious that anybody can monitor your activities and can read your private data using certain methods.

The suspicious online actors or tracking devices can easily track your activities and can intervene to access your personal data. Here comes the requirement to safeguard your activities and data. Certainly, we have a lot of solutions available now to ensure our privacy and online security. IP masking is a good starting point for achieving this target.

Masking IP addresses is a common technique. It helps individuals, businesses, and organizations to ensure their online privacy and security. However, it is important to consider that the legal and ethical standing of IP masking can vary depending on the specific use case and local regulations. According to United States laws, masking your IP address is not illegal.

Why is IP Masking required?

IP address is the basic information and the starting point if someone wants to extract data about your online existence, activities and further details. This is your identity while you are working online. IP masking tools are actually hiding this identity, securing you from potential threats and unwanted interference.

It is a secure way of hiding your identity from malicious programs or individuals who are looking for potential victims to steal data.

8 Key Advantages of Masking your IP Address

Following are the genuine reasons why we should consider IP masking while working online:

Privacy Protection:

Keeping our personal data and browsing habits & interests confidential.

Security:

Ensure protection against hackers, malicious characters and cyber-attacks.

Bypass Online Restrictions:

Access websites and content that is restricted or blocked for any specific region.

Anonymous Browsing:

Browsing while securing you from tools, websites and advertisers who are keen to know about your online engagements.

Safe Public Network Usage:

Protects you from exposing your communication and data while using public Wi-Fi networks.

Avoid Ads:

It prevents you becoming target of un-necessary advertisement campaigns based on your browsing activities and history.

Preserve Anonymity:

Helps you remain anonymous online that avoids unwanted surveillance.

Secure Private Communications:

Enables you to continue your private communications where your entirely personal or financial data is involved.

Steps Involved in IP Masking Process

IP masking creates a digital security shield between you and the internet. It makes difficult for others to access your data or track what online activities you are performing. This process diverts your traffic through intermediate server to reach your destination.

Following are the steps involved in IP masking process:

Establish Connectivity:

First you are connected to a masking service, which may be VPN, proxy server, or any other tool.

Traffic Diversion:

Your masking server immediately diverts your internet traffic through secure tunnels instead of direct connectivity to internet.

New Online Identity:

Now IP masking service assigns you a new online identity in the form of new IP address.

Data Travelling:

After assigning new IP, your traffic is directed towards your target website or server.

Preserve Identity:

IP masking service keeps your actual IP address with itself, and it remains hidden from the target website or server all the time till the request is served.

This way your actual identity & location is not disclosed at any point and your online activity remains private and secure.

How to Check your IP Address

It is safe to check IP address on your device before and after connecting VPN or any IP masking tool to be sure that you can start your secure browsing activities now.

Following is the process of checking your IP address on different devices:

Windows

• In the taskbar, select “Settings”.
• Click on “Network and Internet”.
• Click on Wi-Fi Properties.
• Your IP address will be under the IPv4 address.

Mac

• Under “System Settings”, click “Network”.
• Select your Wi-Fi network.
• Click on Details.
• Check under where it says IPv4 address to find your IP.

iPhone

• Open “Settings” on your iPhone/iOS device.
• Click on the Wi-Fi.
• Look at the right of your Wi-Fi network name, tap on the circular button with a lowercase “i” in the circle.
• Scroll down to find the caption “IP Address” to get your IP address.

Android

• Hit “Settings“.
• Tap on “About Phone“.
• Tap on “Status“.
• Go down to find entry with the caption “IP address” to find IP address of your smartphone.

When we are using VPN or any IP masking tool, it will create an encrypted stream of data between the computer and a remote server and will make all the communications go through it. Surely, it hides you from the eyes of your Internet Service Provider – ISP but still your VPN or tool provider is able to see your IP address.

While IP masking offers increased privacy, it’s essential to understand that it’s not a guaranteed shield against all online tracking. Malicious actors can still find ways to track users, and some online services may limit access if they detect the use of IP masking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide my IP address on iPhone?

Yes, simply install a VPN on your iPhone, turn it on and your actual IP address will be changed with new virtual IP address.

Can I hide my IP address for free?

Yes, one can hide his IP address using the Tor browser, a proxy server, or a free VPN.

Is hiding my IP address legal?

Yes, according to U.S. law, there is nothing illegal in hiding your IP address.

Can IP Masking secure you on public networks?

Yes, IP masking through any reliable tool can help you secure on public Wi-Fi networks.

Can a cell phone IP address be traced?

Yes, any phone’s IP address can be traced. That can be done by Internet Service Providers using some tools. Also, government agencies, special apps, and hackers or cybercriminals can find it using their resources. Only if you use a proxy or VPN on your phone, it can help hiding your IP address.

How to find IP address on iPhone?

Open “Settings” on iPhone >> Tap on Wi-Fi >> On right of Wi-Fi network name, tap on the circle with lowercase “I” inside >> Scroll down and find the caption “IP Address”.