How To Change Your IP Address in 2021 – Security.org
How to Change
What is an IP Address
Where to Find It
Pros & Cons
Recap
Even though you may be in cyberspace, you’re still in a specific, virtual location, and that location is defined by your IP address. But for those of us that want to stay private, get around government restrictions, and the like, changing your IP address is a simple first step. In this article, we’ll tell you how to change your IP address, step-by-step, along with providing you with more information about the types of IP addresses, the pros and cons of changing them, and more. Get your invisibility cloak ready because we’re about to go private, or at least as private as you can be online.
ExpressVPN is the #1 Way to Change Your IP Address
See the exact steps to changing your IP address on an iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows computer. Also, learn why you would want to change your IP address in the first place.
How To Change Your IP Address
There are a few different ways to change your IP address, and the most straightforward ways simply involve adjusting your device’s settings. If you already have a replacement IP address, then you can enter it in the settings section of your device. Here are more detailed instructions for how to change your IP addresses manually on different types of devices.
How to Change Your IP Address on Mac Manually
Go to System Preferences.
Click Network.
Click Network Connection.
Click Configure IPv4.
Select Manually.
Type in your IP address.
Changing You IP – Command Prompt on Windows
How to Change Your IP Address on Windows Manually
Click Administrator Account.
Click Start.
Click Control Panel.
Select Local Area Connection.
Click Properties.
Select TCP/IP.
Type in the IP address.
How to Change Your IP Address on Android Manually
Go to your Android Settings.
Navigate to Wireless & Networks.
Click on your Wi-Fi network.
Click Modify Network.
Select Advanced Options.
Change the IP address.
Changing You IP – On Android, Scroll to IP address to see your IP address.
How to Change Your IP Address on iOS Manually
Go to your iOS device’s Settings.
Click Wi-Fi.
Select IPv4 Address.
Click Configure IP.
Enter your IP address.
How to Change Your IP Address on Router Manually
Turn off your router.
Turn it back on a day later.
Go to your administrative interface and reconnect to your ISP.
If you want your device to pick a new IP address for you automatically, here’s what to do.
How to Change Your IP Address on Mac Automatically
Go to your Mac’s System Preferences app.
Select Network Connection.
Click Configure iPv4.
Select Using DHCP.
How to Change Your IP Address on Windows Automatically
Enter your Administrator Account.
Go to Network Connections.
Click Location Area Connection.
Click Obtain An IP Address Automatically1
How to Change Your IP Address on Android Automatically
Click Settings.
Select Connections.
Select the network you’re on currently.
Click Advanced.
Select either DHCP or Static.
How to Change Your IP Address on iOS Automatically
Go to your iPhone or iPad’s Settings.
Select Network.
Select your network.
Click IPv4 Address.
Choose Automatic.
If you don’t already have a new IP address or you don’t want one the automatic address from your device, then you can connect to a Virtual Private Network or VPN. VPNs will replace your IP address and encrypt all of your web activity. You may get the same IP address every time you connect (static), or a different one each time (dynamic). Some VPNs also offer dedicated IP addresses, if you want to be the only one with that address. With any VPN:
How to Change Your IP Address with a VPN
Download the VPN app.
Create an account.
Click Connect.
To learn more, read about the best VPN for every occasion or our comprehensive VPN guide.
A sister to VPNs is proxy servers, intermediary devices that hide IP addresses. 2 Here’s how to connect to a proxy server on your Mac, Windows, Android or iOS device.
Ivacy VPN iPhone Screenshot
How to Connect to Proxy Server on Mac
Open Safari, Macs’ default browser.
Click Preferences.
Select Change Settings.
Update the Settings with the information that the network administrator provided in the System Preferences pop-up.
How to Connect to Proxy Server on Windows
Go to your Administrative Templates.
Select Windows Components.
Click Data Collection and Preview Builds.
Click Configure Authenticated Proxy Usage.
Select Disable Authenticated Proxy Usage.
Hit Apply.
How to Connect to Proxy Server on Android
Go to your Android’s Settings.
Select Wi-Fi.
Select your networks’ name.
Hit Modify Network.
Select Manual.
Enter in your proxy port and hostname.
Click Save.
How to Connect to Proxy Server on iOS
Enter your phone or tablet’s Settings.
Click on the “I” button next to username.
Click HTTP Proxy.
Select Edit Proxy Settings.
Turn on Authentication.
Return to the previous window.
Tor
Tor is a secure browser that, along with hiding your IP address, will also prevent tracking and targeted ads. Once you’re off a website, its cookies will clear as will your browsing history. Both your IP address and your web activity will be encrypted not once, not twice but three times. 3 Just download the browser from Tor’s website to hide your IP address when browsing online!
Note: Although the websites you visit won’t be able to see your private IP address, Tor will log it themselves, according to their Privacy Notice. If you don’t want your IP address logged, choose a VPN with a strict privacy policy.
What Is An IP Address?
Of course, some people may not be totally clear on what an IP address actually is; no shame here! An IP address, which standards for an internet protocol address, is a device’s identifying number associated with a specific computer or network of computers. Basically, IP addresses let computers send and receive information, but they can also be used to track the physical locations of users, 4 a nightmare for those concerned with privacy. And according to our VPN usage research, that accounts for 40 percent of VPN-users.
Get Started with ExpressVPN and Change Your IP
Types of IP Addresses
Not all IP addresses are created equal! Rather, they can be divided into a few different categories, some of which have certain advantages over others.
Public: Each and every internet-connected device has a public IP address, distributed by the Internet Service Providers vis-à-vis the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. What, you haven’t heard of ICANN? Nevertheless, these public IP addresses are searchable on the web, which is why we can find our printer simply by Googling its IP address.
Private/ local: In contrast to public IP addresses, private IP addresses aren’t searchable on the web. Rather, they’re numbers that routers assign the devices on their networks so that they can communicate with each other.
Dynamic: Dynamic IP addresses, as we mentioned before, are any type of IP address that change every time you connect, usually through a VPN. This makes users hard to track online, as their literal address keeps changing.
Static: Static means that the IP addresses do not change. With VPNs, static IP addresses are usually shared with thousands of users in order to obscure their identities. However, some websites block these shared IP addresses, which necessitates users getting dedicated IP addresses. What a convenient transition!
Dedicated: Dedicated IP addresses are assigned to only one user rather than being shared by several. They usually cost a different fee on top of the regular VPN subscription.
Changing You IP – On Windows, Turn on IPv4 and fill out the fields IP address, Subnet prefix length, and Gateway. Hit Save when you’re done
IPv4: Internet Protocol version 4 is used by 99 percent of networks, but since it can only store 4. 3 billion addresses, it’s being replaced by IPv6, which we’ll get to in a second. Unlike IPv6, IPv4 addresses are four one bite numbers separated by dots like 555. 555. 1. 1.
IPv6: While they’re only used by less than 1 percent of networks, IPv6 has its advantages over IPv4, namely that it can provide an infinite number of addresses. It also allows for larger payloads and is compatible with a greater number of mobile networks. Although they’re starting small, eventually, IPv6 will replace IPv4. 5
Where To Find Your IP Address
Feeling lost in the sauce? Finding your IP address isn’t that complicated, even if you’re not a tech expert like us.
Where to Find Your IP Address on Mac
Enter your Mac’s System Preferences.
Select your Wi-Fi network.
Look where it says IPv4 Address.
Changing You IP – Advanced Settings on Mac
Where to Find Your IP Address on Windows
Enter your TaskBar.
Click on Wi-Fi Network.
Look under IPv4 Address.
Where to Find Your IP Address on Android
Enter your phone’s Settings.
Click About.
Click Status.
Look at the IP Address.
Where to Find Your IP Address on iOS
Click on the “I” button next to Network.
ILook under IPv4 Address.
Changing You IP – Proxy Settings on iPhone
Pros and Cons of Changing Addresses
Of course, there’s always the debate of whether or not to change your IP address in the first place. While the angel on your shoulder tells you it’s a great way to increase your privacy and access other country’s servers, the devil tells you that it could be costly, that some websites won’t work and that your ISP will still be able to see your address. There’s truth to both of these sides, so we recommend making your decisions on a case-by-case basis. That being said, we broke down the main reasons why you should and shouldn’t change your IP address.
Why You Should Change Your IP Address
Avoid tracking: If you’ve ever searched for anything related to consumerism, then you probably already notice how your searches seem to follow you around the internet like you owe them money. This sort of tracking is made possible by cookies, which some antivirus software can disable.
Bypass government restrictions: Governments like China greatly restrict internet usage in their country, so if you want to bypass firewalls, changing your IP address is a must.
Access international servers: Maybe you simply want to see what’s on Netflix Canada from your apartment in California. By changing your IP address to a Canadian one, you can trick the streaming giant into showing you a whole lot of new content.
FYI: Not all VPNs are compatible with Netflix. To find one that’s right for you, read our review of the best VPNs for Netflix.
Gain privacy: Maybe you’re an activist, a journalist, or anyone else handling sensitive information, or maybe you just don’t want your Internet Service Provider to track your every move. If that’s the case, changing your IP address is a step in the right direction in terms of privacy.
Increase security: Most people think nothing of joining public Wi-Fi networks (and depending on your settings, this may even happen automatically). However, using public Wi-Fi opens up a slew of security risks, with hacking at the forefront. But by hiding your real IP address, you greatly lower your risk of hackings.
Why You Shouldn’t Change Your IP Address
Some websites won’t work: Some websites, like the aforementioned Netflix, won’t work with certain VPNs or proxies. So while they may be able to bypass government restrictions, that doesn’t stop individual websites from blocking certain IP addresses.
Not always legal: Depending on where you are, VPNs may not be legal; they’re banned in China, Belarus, Iran and a few other countries, so keep that in mind before you connect.
May slow down connection: Any added encryption will slow down your browsing speeds, although the exact slowdowns will differ from service to service. Still, if you’re performing tasks that require a lot of bandwidth like streaming video or video chatting, you might experience some frustrating lag.
VPN may log data: Again, depending on the service, your VPN company may be logging the very information you want to hide, like your IP address and web traffic. Our advice? Always read the VPN’s privacy policy, which we cover in our individual VPN reviews.
Could cost money: Not all VPNs are free (except of course, the ones that are; check out the best free VPN is to see what we’re talking about). Still, free VPNs typically have limits on time, data, or servers, so if you want full coverage, you might have to pony up some dough.
ISP will still be able to see IP: Even with a new IP address, your Internet Service Provider will be able to see it, so you’re never truly “private” when you’re online.
Conclusion
Overall, we’re of the faith that changing your IP address is a necessity at times, and we love that there’s more than one way to do it. We hope we answered all of your questions about changing your IP address, but if we didn’t, read on.
FAQs
Being public digital security experts, we’re constantly inundated with a number of questions surrounding changing your IP address. Here are those questions, with, you guessed it, answers.
Is there a way to change your IP address?
You can change your IP address in your device settings or by using the Tor browser, a VPN or a proxy server.
Is changing your IP address illegal?
Changing your IP address may or may not be legal; it depends on how you do it and where you’re located. For example, using a VPN to change your IP address is legal in the U. S but illegal in China.
Why does my IP address show a different city?
Your IP address may show a different city if you’re connected to a VPN or proxy server with servers in that city. That may be the closest server to you, or simply the one that allows for the lowest bandwidth usage.
Does resetting my router change my IP address?
Resetting your router may or may not change your IP address, depending on how long you wait before you turn it back on. We recommend waiting for about a day in order to get a new IP address.
How to Get a US IP Address for Free in 2021 – 5 Easy Steps – Comparitech
We’ll show you how to get a US IP address from outside America so you can access your favorite shows, content and apps (including Netflix) from anywhere. Better still, we’ll show you a clever trick to get a top-rated VPN free for a month.
@osman_husain UPDATED: September 18, 2021
The easiest and most efficient way to get a US IP address is by signing up for a suitable VPN provider. In this article, we’ll teach you how to get an American IP address to access content and services only available in the US as you travel abroad. This method works for most popular devices including Mac and Windows desktop PCs, Android smartphones and tablets, iPhone and iPads, the Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV, plus many more.
How to get a US IP address
Getting a US IP address is easy, just follow these steps:
Sign up for a Virtual Private Network (VPN). We recommend NordVPN.
Register for the service and download the VPN software or app
Clear your cookies and restart your device to remove old location identifiers
Log in to your VPN provider and connect to a server in the US
Access your US site like you normally would
WANT TO TRY THE TOP VPN RISK FREE? NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use the VPN rated #1 for getting a US IP address with no restrictions for a month—perfect for accessing US services during a short trip outside of the country.
There are no hidden terms—just contact customer support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll receive a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
Why get an American IP address?
People might want to obtain a US IP address for several reasons. American residents traveling abroad can use it to regain access to geo-restricted media streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. Netflix restricts its catalog depending on where you’ve logged in from, so it’s a good choice if you would like to obtain the full range of movies and TV shows. That’s similar to how HBO GO and Vudu operate, so a VPN is a good tool for those as well.
Others might want to keep in touch with live sports such as Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), or the National Football League (NFL) by streaming ESPN.
With a US IP address, you can also access online banking and other services that block non-US users.
What’s the best VPN to get a US IP address?
In this section, we’ll take you through our list of what we think are the best VPNs that’ll give you a speedy and stable connection to a US server.
We’ll cover the best VPNs for getting a US IP address in detail. If you don’t want to read the whole article here is our summary list of the 7 best VPNs to get a US IP:
NordVPN Our #1 Choice! Dozens of superfast servers in multiple locations throughout the US. Lets you stream a huge range of content abroad. Includes 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark Steady speeds, no connection limit, and plenty of American servers to choose from. Impressive security and privacy features.
ExpressVPN A reliable, reputable VPN boasting real versatility, high-speed American servers, and top-notch security features.
CyberGhost Good choice for beginners. Hundreds of servers in the US. Apps are easy to install and use.
IPVanish Preferred by Kodi users for their interface which works well with remote controls. Fast servers.
VyprVPN Reliable provider with secure and private servers operating in the US. Cheaper options higher on this list.
Hotspot Shield High-speed connections and servers in 27 US cities. Easy-to-use apps and streaming-optimized servers.
Criteria for selecting the best VPNs to get an IP address for the US
We go into more detail on the exact criteria used for selecting a VPN to get a US IP address later, but here is a quick rundown of a few key areas we look at:
Large range of server locations in the US
Speed and stability of connection
Rigid encryption protocols so your location remains hidden
Ease of use
Apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS
Without further ado here’s our run down of the top VPNs for US IP addresses:
1. NordVPN
Oct 2021
Apps Available:
PC
Mac
IOS
Android
Linux
NordVPN is an excellent option for advanced users who want customized options coupled with tier-1 service. In fact, out of all the VPN’s we’ve tested, this is by far the fastest.
NordVPN allows you to select servers based on your specific requirements – such as anti-DDoS, video streaming, double VPN, Tor over VPN, or P2P. NordVPN operates more than 5, 000 servers in total, and a large portion of those are in the US.
It works well with Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, among others.
NordVPN uses the 256-bit AES protocol encryption standard by default coupled with 2, 048-bit SSL keys. DNS leak protection is enabled. It holds zero user data – this includes browsing habits, timestamps, and server information.
There’s apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
NordVPN speed test data
NordVPNAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)111. 7 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)122. 3 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)112. 0 Mbps
Pros:
Beats all of its rivals when it comes to speed
Excels at securely accessing region-locked services
No logs policy
Strong security and privacy features
Tons of servers
Cons:
Desktop app is a little sluggish
BEST VPN FOR A US IP ADDRESS:NordVPN is our first choice for getting a US IP address. It’s extremely fast, has a major security focus, and allows up to 6 simultaneous connections. Best of all, it keeps no logs and has a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here’s our full review of NordVPN.
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2. Surfshark
Surfshark operates VPN servers in 11 US cities. It’s also one of the only providers on this list to allow users an unlimited number of connections on a single plan. This VPN works with plenty of platforms including US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, among others. Kill switches come built into both the mobile and desktop apps, so you never have to worry about leaking your real IP address.
Live chat support is staffed around the clock. Surfshark uses strong encryption and keeps no logs. Torrenting is allowed.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Linux, and Android.
Surfshark speed test data
SurfsharkAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)170 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)230 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)220 Mbps
Great for American Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video
Generally strong speeds
Impressive security offering
Keeps no logs
Unlimited devices
Relatively small server network
Occasional slow server
BEST BUDGET PICK:Get a US IP for as many devices as you want with Surfshark. This VPN is fast, affordable, and security-conscious, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review.
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3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is an impeccable VPN service that’s easy to set up and comes with a simple design. The service packs a punch when rated on both speed and encryption standards. The US occupies the bulk of ExpressVPN’s server locations with options in 13 cities. Overall there are over 3, 000 servers in 94 countries and 160 locations spread across the world.
The company has a stated policy of not storing any user or traffic logs, so it scores high marks from a privacy angle too. The only minimal data it does extract is the “date (not time) of connection, choice of server location, and total bandwidth used”. This is used to improve service quality standards. It’s important to note that your individual IP address won’t be recorded.
If you’re still feeling skittish, we recommend you sign up for the service via a burner email account and pay through Bitcoin. It’ll become extremely difficult for your digital footprint to be traced back to you.
Encryption standards are military grade. The service leverages 256-bit AES-CBC protocols as well as HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy. An internet kill switch is included, which ExpressVPN refers to as a ‘network lock’. This feature means all web traffic will be temporarily halted if the connection drops.
The service is able to securely access Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max.
There are apps for Android and iOS as well as desktop clients for Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
ExpressVPN speed test data
ExpressVPNAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)135. 7 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)134 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)136 Mbps
Strong connection security
Fast, stable speeds
Plenty of servers
Great for streaming content from anywhere
30-day money-back guarantee
Slightly more expensive
GREAT ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable choice Great for streaming. Strong privacy features and a no-logs policy, not to mention a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here’s our in-depth ExpressVPN review.
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4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost will appeal to beginner users who want a relatively inexpensive VPN. It delivers on both speed and security, as well as the ability to securely access streaming sites like American Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
The company is headquartered in Romania, which means it’s not required to store any user information, so it keeps zero logs.
Apps are available for both Android and iOS as well as desktop support for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Encryption standards are among the best in the business. An internet kill switch is included.
CyberGhost speed test data
CyberGhostAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)78. 7 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)54. 7 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)39. 3 Mbps
Works with lots of streaming sites
Fast connections
Great security
Zero logs
Not suitable for users in China
Few customizable features
BEST FOR BEGINNERS:CyberGhost has a simple set up and is easy to use. Streams HD video reliably. Limited in use with some popular streaming sites. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of CyberGhost.
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5. IPVanish
Fast speeds and strong encryption are the pillars of IPVanish. It is completely logless, meaning it won’t ever store usage data of any nature.
Encryption protocols are tough. The company leverages 256-bit encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2, 048-bit key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. The latter feature means that even if an intrusive entity breaks into your account, it’ll be impossible for it to decrypt past session data. IPVanish includes an internet kill switch and leak protection.
Servers deliver great speeds and are stable and secure. US server locations number in the hundreds, which make up the bulk over 1, 000 servers across the globe.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV.
IPVanish is popular with Kodi users because it allows them to download the Android APK directly to their device. The interface is also remote control friendly for Kodi devices that lack a keyboard and mouse.
IPVanish speed test data
IPVanishAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)72 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)31. 3 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)52. 3 Mbps
Very fast connections
Strong security
Kodi-compatible
Sometimes struggles with streaming services
No anonymous payment options
LARGE NETWORK:IPVanish can connect any number of devices and is great for families. Recommend for their high standard of privacy, but keep shopping if you want to stream American Netflix. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of IPVanish.
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6. VyprVPN
VyprVPN is a mature VPN provider that’s been around for over seven years. Privacy advocates love it because it’s one of the few that’s able to circumvent China’s Great Firewall. The company operates servers in eight US cities.
Having said that, some users might be troubled by the fact that the company chooses to retain user data. Specifically, the data that’s stored is “the user’s source IP address, the VyprVPN IP address used by the user, connection start and stop time, and total number of bytes used. ” But VyprVPN insists that it’s only kept for a period of 30 days and is used for troubleshooting.
Traffic is secured by the OpenVPN protocol, 256-bit AES encryption, 2, 048-bit RSA keys without perfect forward secrecy, and SHA256 authentication. VyprVPN also owns entire data centers and doesn’t rely on third-party operators at all. This helps it secure traffic.
Apps are available for both Android and iOS as well as desktop support for Windows and MacOS.
VyprVPN works with Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
VyprVPN speed test data
VyprVPNAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)41 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)44. 3 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)47. 3 Mbps
Very secure
Works in China
Good for American Netflix
Logs users current IP address
A little pricey
UNLIMITED DATA USAGE:VyprVPN is user friendly. Good speeds and uptime as all servers are owned by VyprVPN. Not the cheapest option. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of VyprVPN.
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7. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield has around 3, 200 servers in 70+ countries worldwide, including the US. What’s more, this VPN works with most major region-locked services like Netflix, Hulu, and Sling TV, so there are very few limits on what you can watch. Up to five devices can be connected at once, allowing you to stream both at home and on-the-go.
This VPN keeps your traffic secure using 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. You can also choose to only encrypt traffic on specific websites, for instance, if you wanted to watch Netflix US during a trip abroad but still use services that are only available in your current location. 24/7 support is available over live chat in case of any problems.
Hotspot Shield offers apps for Windows, Android, iOS, and MacOS devices.
Hotspot Shield speed test data
Hotspot ShieldAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)48 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)49 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)48 Mbps
Fast, reliable server connections
Works with a wide range of geo-blocked platforms
Strong on connection security
Has had privacy issues in the past
Doesn’t accept Bitcoin
LAG-FREE STREAMING:Hotspot Shield is fast enough for flawless live media streaming, able to use major streaming services, and very security-conscious. Better still, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
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Should I use a free VPN?
Free VPNs are heavily advertised on the internet and some users may be tempted to sign up. However, many such services have a poor track record of impinging on users’ rights by stealing their data and selling it to third-party advertisers.
After all, even free VPNs are registered businesses. Hence they need to make money to pay for staff salaries, server maintenance, and general office overheads. That’s why the route for monetization becomes users themselves.
Even if your data isn’t stolen, expect bandwidth throttling, weak encryption standards, and data caps. So it’s likely that you’ll be booted out if you stream Netflix for an hour or so. Tons of invasive advertisements are also common, with the real risk of contracting a malware infection. We recommend you avoid the random free VPNs on the web.
See also:
Best VPNs for USA
Best VPNs for US TV
Some VPNs to avoid
If you’re trying to obtain a US IP address, it’s pivotal that your privacy and anonymity is secured at all times. The VPNs mentioned in this list don’t have a history of handing over user data but there are several other unscrupulous ones. We think you should turn your back on them.
Here are two such cases:
1. PureVPN
There’s evidence to suggest that VPN provider PureVPN collaborated with law enforcement agencies to help identify one of its users.
PureVPN and the FBI joined forces after an unnamed 24-year-old woman filed a complaint about falling prey to an online blackmailing plot. She suspected her roommate, Ryan Lin, to be culpable.
The FBI traced the internet activity back to PureVPN, who then used its logs to identify the culprit. Ryan was arrested. PureVPN insists that it didn’t record the content of communications, but it did have a ‘no-logs’ policy in place. There’s a real question mark on how ethical they might have behaved.
2. HolaVPN
Israel-based Hola, a popular VPN extension for Chrome, used its sizable user base of almost 50 million for illegal purposes. The company turned this critical mass into a massive botnet in 2015, leveraging individual user bandwidth to engage in Distributed Denial of Service Attacks and distributing copyrighted material. Users were completely in the dark.
I’ve downloaded a VPN. What do I do next?
After registering and signing up for one of the VPN services we’ve recommended in this article, it’s a simple matter of downloading the client software and installing it on your device (Windows, MacOS, Android, or iOS).
Once that’s done, scroll through the list of available server locations until you come across options for the US. As mentioned before, each VPN in this list has a sizable number of said locations so this shouldn’t be a particularly cumbersome task.
The ones higher up in the list should be the speedier ones so go for those if you can. Once the connection is successfully established, a green icon should show up in the taskbar. That means you’re now ready to browse the web anonymously and with a US IP address.
Use an American DNS server
Nearly as important as your public IP address is the server your device uses to look up the IP addresses of different web pages and other online content. DNS, or Domain Name System, works sort of like a phone book in which names (domains) are matched with phone numbers (IP addresses). When attempting to access geo-locked content, many websites not only check where you’re calling from, but where the phone book is located.
Even when you have an American IP address, if a DNS request is sent to a server outside of the US to look up a public IP address, the website or app can see this and still block you. Therefore, it’s important that the DNS server you use is in the same country as your IP address. In this case, you need a DNS server inside the US.
All of the VPNs in the above list have apps that take care of this for you. When you connect to the VPN server, your DNS requests are also sent through the encrypted tunnel. Good VPNs, like the ones we recommend, operate their own private DNS servers, so your DNS requests cannot be used to track which websites you visit by your Internet Service Provider or another DNS server provider. You might need to toggle this option on in your VPN app’s settings.
Some mediocre VPNs will send your DNS requests through the tunnel, but then use a public DNS service like Google DNS on the other side. This will let you use DNS servers in the US, but Google would be able to record which websites you visit and when, which is not ideal for privacy. Other VPNs fail to tunnel DNS requests altogether.
If your VPN provider doesn’t tunnel DNS traffic for you, you can manually configure DNS servers on most devices. We recommend a service like OpenNIC, which offers free DNS servers in specific countries including the US. The exact process for changing DNS servers varies between devices, but you can usually add primary and secondary DNS servers somewhere in your network configuration settings.
Windows 10 users in particular should be aware that their operating system often sends such requests in tandem, one over the IPv4 protocol and one over IPv6. Windows uses whichever one comes back faster, however, IPv6 requests are often sent outside the VPN tunnel. If your VPN doesn’t offer IPv6 leak protection, you may need to disable IPv6 altogether in your wifi settings.
What are the other ways to get a US IP address?
There’s the option of using the Tor browser. This is a free service available to everyone on the web and designed to provide encryption and anonymity. Many people including journalists, human rights activists, and whistleblowers use Tor to keep their identity hidden on the web.
It is possible to acquire a US IP address with Tor, but the process is a bit complicated and requires multiple steps. This guide breaks it down in more detail. Having said that, speeds on the Tor browser are buggy at best so if you’re looking to download or stream HD video, this isn’t a suitable option. Best to go with a VPN instead.
The last possible option is to use a free proxy server. But these work in a similar vein to free VPN services. There are download caps and unclear privacy policies. Be prepared to be booted out just halfway into your episode of House of Cards. HTTP and SOCKS proxies often aren’t encrypted, and they only route internet traffic from certain apps, such as your web browser.
Finding the best VPNs to get a US IP address: our methodology
Traveling abroad may have some impact on your usual online activity, particularly when it comes to streaming. There are a number of hurdles to overcome including geographic restrictions, slow speeds, and poor security on public wifi. To make your life easier, we evaluated each VPN to ensure it meets the criteria as listed below:
Servers in the US: Of course, in order to get a US IP address, you’ll need to use a VPN that offers servers in the US. It also helps if these servers are spread across multiple cities. That way, you can select a server closer to your location for faster speeds. That’s why we’ve covered only the fastest VPNs.
Speed: The faster the speeds offered by a VPN, the easier it will be to stream and torrent. All of the VPNs recommended in this post provide not only fast server speeds but unlimited bandwidth. This becomes most obvious when streaming as you’re less likely to encounter lag and buffering.
Network size: Traveling outside the US may mean you occasionally need more than just a US IP address. Indeed, there may be websites or services from other countries that you wish to access. A VPN should therefore provide servers in dozens of countries around the world.
Security: If you’re going on vacation, you may find yourself using public wifi. Unfortunately, this comes with some security risks. However, using a VPN protects your data from hackers and snoopers alike. This is done with encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and more.
Privacy: There are a number of things a VPN can do to protect your privacy. One of the biggest is to have a no-logs policy. That’s why we’ve assessed 140 VPN logging policies to find the very best. It also helps if a VPN allows you to pay anonymously in cryptocurrency.
Ease of use: It doesn’t hurt if a VPN provides apps that are easy to use for beginners! Indeed, the very best VPNs allow you to connect to a server with a single click. There should also be a live chat and email support as well as resources including setup guides.
Value for money: Some VPNs offer very few features yet charge a similar price to the VPNs covered in this post. We believe we’ve found VPNs that are fairly priced for what they offer. Better still, our discount coupons can help you save even more on the price of a subscription.
The above is just part of our full VPN testing methodology. By testing each and every aspect of a VPN for ourselves, we can develop an in-depth understanding of it. This is how we provide you with information that is not only accurate, but up-to-date.
How to get an American IP Address FAQ
Can I get an IP address from a specific US city? Many VPNs allow you to choose not just the country that your chosen city is in, but also the city. This makes sense: the US is a huge country, so there could be a significant difference in speeds between servers on the East and West coasts. Most providers offer servers in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, at the very least. Is getting an IP address from US legal? Of course — there’s no legal requirement to use the IP address that your Internet Service Provider gives you. That said, you could run into problems if you use a VPN with the intent of committing crimes online. As long as you’re not planning on downloading copyrighted content, harassing anyone, or accessing illegal material, you should be fine. How do I set up a VPN on my home network? Unfortunately, there’s no one size fits all guide. This is because there are several competing manufacturers, each with its own firmware, which all have slightly different processes for installing a VPN. If your VPN supports routers (and not all do) you should be able to find manual installation instructions on its website. Alternatively, you can ask customer support for help; they deal with questions like this every day and will have you up and running in no time. Can an American proxy hide my IP address? An American proxy server will hide your IP address, but they don’t really hold up to VPNs when it comes to security or privacy. For instance, even if your proxy server is encrypted, it’ll still only secure traffic from your browser. In contrast, a VPN will protect data from any app on your device.
Additionally, when you use a reputable VPN provider, you know exactly what personal information is recorded and who has access to it. However, proxy servers, particularly free ones, come with no such I access online banking in American with a VPN? Although VPNs are primarily used to enhance your digital privacy, many banks still don’t allow you to access their online banking services while connected. The main reason for this is to help prevent fraud (for instance, by recording foreign login attempts). Unfortunately, if you’re traveling, this means that you may be forced to access your online banking service over a public wifi connection, which are notoriously insecure.
Here’s the thing: it’s just not possible to detect every VPN. The Chinese government has been trying for years, and still hasn’t succeeded, so banks just don’t stand a chance. Even if a service is blocked, most major providers will find a workaround in days (or sometimes hours), making it a constant game of cat and mouse. In other words, if your current VPN doesn’t work with your bank, you can just try a different do I determine the physical location of an IP address in the US? You can’t determine the exact physical location of an IP address. Tracking an IP address will only show the approximate server location. Regardless, by using a VPN to get an IP address in the US, you can hide your IP address and have improved privacy protection. Internet traffic is encrypted while you also share the same US IP address as other users on the same server. All user activity is mixed up as a result, allowing you to browse an IP address from the US hide my internet activity from my ISP? ISPs in the US can see what you’re doing online. This includes the websites you visit and how long you spend on them. You can hide your internet activity from your ISP by using a VPN. This encrypts your internet traffic so your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online. Furthermore, any reputable VPN should have a strict no-logs policy. This means that even if data were requested, there shouldn’t be anything to share.
How to change the IP address of an Android phone or device
Updated: 06/30/2020 by
On the Internet, your IP address is similar to a postal address. It uniquely identifies where you are so that information can be sent to you. Your IP address can change depending on what network you’re using to connect. You can also change it, within certain limitations, if desired.
If you want to change your IP address on an Android device, follow these instructions.
The basics.
Change the local IP address of your Android device.
Change the public IP address of your Android device.
Change your device’s IP address on a mobile network.
The basics
Before reading any of the below information, you need to be aware of some network basics.
Know the difference between a static IP address and a dynamic IP address. See each link for additional information about each of these terms.
When on the Internet, it is up to your ISP (Internet service provider) to assign and give you your network address seen by the Internet. When on a LAN (local area network) or WAN (wide area network), the home or corporate router assigns the IP addresses.
If you’re planning on designating or using a static IP address, be aware of how IP address ranges are handled and be familiar with the netmask. See each of these links for additional information.
Change the local IP address of your Android device
Your local IP address is tied to your computer’s wireless network. By default, a home router uses DHCP to assign an IP address to each device that connects to your network. Each IP address assigned by your router uses NAT to translate the internal network IP to the ISP assigned IP address.
You can change your Android local IP address by connecting your router and adjusting the router settings for your Android device. For example, you can assign a static IP to your Android device, choose the option to re-assign the address, or remove the device and be assigned a new address.
How do I adjust the settings of my home router?
TipSome routers may re-assign your Android device a new IP address if rebooted. If you don’t want to adjust your router settings, try unplugging the power to the router for a few minutes and then plug the power back into the router.
NoteThese steps only change the IP address of your Android device on your local network. Steps for changing your public IP address (external to your local network) are mentioned below.
Change the public IP address of your Android device
TipBefore proceeding, it’s good to know your device’s public IP to verify its changes. You can do this by doing a Google search on “What’s my IP address? ” The result is your public IP.
To change the public IP address requires that the IP address assigned by your ISP changes. Although not always possible, suggestions on how to change your routers public IP address in the link below. If these steps do not help, you can hide your IP address behind a VPN by following the steps in the following section.
How do I change my IP address?
Hide your public IP address behind a VPN
A VPN (virtual private network) allows any device including an Android device to hide behind one of the VPN’s IP address. In other words, connecting to a website or anything on the Internet, your IP is the VPN IP address and not your public IP address. To install a VPN on your Android device, follow the steps below.
Visit the Google Play Store and download the free app called PureVPN.
After you install the app, open it, and sign up for an account.
Once you’ve verified your account, open PureVPN and click the green Quick connect button in the center of the screen.
Once you’ve connected, your public IP address is changed.
TipTo change your public IP address again, disconnect and reconnect to PureVPN.
Change your device’s IP address on a mobile network
There is no need to change your devices IP address on a mobile network because mobile networks use DHCP to assign IP addresses, so they change frequently as is. However, if you’re also concerned about assigned mobile network IP addresses, choose to connect to the Internet using a VPN app, as mentioned in the above suggestions.
Additional information
How to determine the IP address of a computer or website.
How do I determine the physical location of an IP address?
How to fix an IP conflict.
See the IP definition for further information about this term and related links.
Network and network card help and support.
Frequently Asked Questions about how to change my ip address to usa on android
How do I change my IP address to USA?
How to get a US IP addressSign up for a Virtual Private Network (VPN). … Register for the service and download the VPN software or app.Clear your cookies and restart your device to remove old location identifiers.Log in to your VPN provider and connect to a server in the US.Access your US site like you normally would.Sep 18, 2021
Can you change IP address on Android phone?
You can change your Android local IP address by connecting your router and adjusting the router settings for your Android device. For example, you can assign a static IP to your Android device, choose the option to re-assign the address, or remove the device and be assigned a new address.Jun 30, 2020
How can I change my Android IP address to another country?
A VPN, the easiest way to change your IP address?Sign up with a VPN provider (preferably ExpressVPN).Download and install the VPN app on the device you’re using.Launch the application.Connect to a server in the country you wish to have its IP address.Check your new IP Here.More items…•Sep 19, 2018
