What hiding your IP address does and doesn't do

Your IP address is a number that identifies your device on the internet — like a return address on a letter. Websites, apps, and internet service providers can see it. Hiding your IP address means routing your internet traffic through another computer so that websites see that computer's address instead of yours.

This is useful if you want to browse without your ISP logging which sites you visit, or if you're on a public WiFi network and want to prevent others from seeing your traffic. It does not make you anonymous — your ISP still knows you're using a VPN, and the VPN company itself can see your traffic unless you use one that doesn't keep logs. It also does not protect you from malware, phishing, or viruses. Those threats work the same way whether your IP is hidden or not.

Key Takeaways

  • A VPN (virtual private network) is the most common way to hide your IP address, and most cost between $3 and $12 per month.
  • Your ISP will know you're using a VPN but won't see which websites you visit; the VPN company will see your traffic unless you choose one that doesn't keep logs.
  • Free VPNs often sell your data or inject ads, so a paid VPN from a known company is safer than a free one.
  • Hiding your IP address does not protect you from viruses, phishing, or malware — you still need antivirus software and caution with links and downloads.
  • Some websites block VPN traffic, so you may not be able to access them while a VPN is on.

Using a VPN to hide your IP address

A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in another location. When you visit a website, that site sees the VPN server's IP address, not yours. Most VPNs cost $3 to $12 per month and work on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android.

To set up a VPN, download the app from the company's website (not from a third-party app store if you can avoid it), create an account, and open the app. You'll see a list of server locations — pick one and click Connect. Once connected, your traffic is encrypted and routed through that server. You can check whether it's working by visiting a site like whatismyipaddress.com before and after turning the VPN on — the IP address shown should change.

Choose a VPN from a company with a clear privacy policy that states whether they keep logs of your activity. Companies like Mullvad, ProtonVPN, and IVPN publish transparency reports and don't keep logs. Avoid free VPNs — they often sell your data to advertisers or inject ads into websites you visit. Your traffic is more valuable than the cost of the service, so they have to make money somehow.

What to expect when using a VPN

Your internet speed will usually drop slightly because your traffic is being encrypted and routed through another server. The drop is often small enough that you won't notice it, but on slower connections it can be noticeable. If you're downloading large files or streaming video, try different server locations — a server closer to you geographically usually gives better speed.

Some websites and services block VPN traffic. Netflix, banking sites, and some streaming services detect VPN use and either refuse to load or ask you to turn it off. This is intentional — they want to see your real location for licensing or fraud prevention. If you need to use those services, you'll have to disconnect the VPN temporarily.

Your ISP will see that you're using a VPN but won't see which websites you visit or what you do on them. The VPN company itself will see your traffic unless you've chosen one that doesn't keep logs. This is why the privacy policy matters — read it before you sign up.

Using Tor for stronger anonymity

Tor is free software that hides your IP address by routing your traffic through multiple computers run by volunteers around the world. It's stronger than a VPN because no single computer can see both where you're coming from and where you're going. Download the Tor Browser from torproject.org, open it, and click Connect — it works like a browser and hides your IP automatically.

Tor is much slower than a VPN because your traffic bounces through multiple servers. Websites often load slowly, and some block Tor traffic entirely. Tor is useful if you need serious anonymity — journalists, activists, and people in countries with heavy internet censorship use it — but it's overkill for most people who just want to hide their browsing from their ISP.

Hiding your IP on specific devices or apps

If you only want to hide your IP for one app instead of your whole device, some VPNs let you choose which apps use the VPN and which don't. Open the VPN app's settings and look for "split tunneling" or "per-app VPN" — if it's available, you can turn the VPN on for your browser but off for everything else.

On iPhone, you can set up a VPN in Settings > VPN & Device Management, then choose which apps use it. On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN, add a VPN, and some apps will let you route traffic through it. This is useful if a streaming service blocks VPNs but you still want to hide your IP for other browsing.

When hiding your IP address won't help

Hiding your IP address does not protect you from phishing emails, malware downloads, or viruses. Those threats work by tricking you or exploiting software flaws, not by targeting your IP. You still need antivirus software, caution with links and attachments, and regular software updates.

It also does not hide your identity from websites if you log into an account. If you sign into Facebook, Gmail, or your bank while using a VPN, those companies know who you are because you've told them. The VPN only hides your IP — it doesn't hide your username or password.

If you're trying to hide your activity from your employer or school network, a VPN will hide it from the network itself, but your device's local logs may still show what you did. If someone with physical access to your computer wants to know what you've been doing, they can check your browser history and cache files — a VPN doesn't erase those.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is using a VPN legal?

Yes, in most countries. VPNs are legal in the United States, Canada, the UK, and most of Europe. A few countries restrict or ban VPNs — check your country's laws if you're outside the Western world. Using a VPN itself is legal; using it to break other laws (like accessing pirated content) is not.

Can my ISP see what I'm doing if I use a VPN?

Your ISP can see that you're using a VPN and how much data you're sending, but not which websites you visit or what you do on them. The VPN encrypts that information. However, your ISP still knows you're using a VPN, which some people want to avoid.

Will a VPN slow down my internet?

Usually a little, but often not enough to notice. The slowdown depends on how far the VPN server is from you and how busy it is. If you notice a big slowdown, try connecting to a different server location — one closer to you geographically usually works better.

What's the difference between a VPN and a proxy?

A proxy hides your IP address but usually doesn't encrypt your traffic, so your ISP can still see what you're doing. A VPN encrypts your traffic and hides your IP. VPNs are more secure for hiding your activity from your ISP, but proxies are faster and work for specific apps.

Do I need to hide my IP address?

It depends on your situation. If you use public WiFi often, a VPN prevents others on that network from seeing your passwords and traffic. If you want your ISP not to log which sites you visit, a VPN helps. If you're just browsing at home on your own network, hiding your IP is less critical — your main security concerns are malware and phishing, which a VPN doesn't prevent.