An IP address, or Internet Protocol address, is a unique numerical identifier of a gadget on the network, which is needed to transfer information between devices. Every computer, tablet, smartphone connected to the Internet has an IP address. It can be static (permanent, provided by the provider) and dynamic (changes every time you connect to the Internet).
Please note: the widespread opinion that any information about any person can be calculated from an IP address is not true. But at the same time, with the help of an IP address, if you wish, you can really set the geolocation of the user (for example, the city of residence) and determine the provider. It can be particularly dangerous for residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. After all, the provider, in turn, can provide information about a person at the request of Russian special services.
Due to Russia's occupation of some territories of Ukraine and the destruction of the peaceful Ukrainian population by the Russian invaders, the issue of strengthening people's security, in particular, when they are on the Internet, has become quite acute. Masking the IP address can be considered as one of the options for increasing the level of personal protection in the virtual space, which makes it possible to avoid tracking and visit blocked sites.
How to hide your IP address:
The easiest and most reliable way is with the help of VPN services. As State Special Communications previously explained, when connecting to a virtual private network, a secure channel is created between the user's computer and the VPN server. The data in it is securely encrypted: your Internet provider does not know your location and the web resources you have visited. When using a VPN, the updated IP address is usually generated from a different city or country.
Using the Tor browser, designed to provide anonymity on the Internet through multiple encryption. It not only hides the user's IP address, but also allows you to visit blocked sites, does not save website browsing history, cookies and any information about visited pages. You can download the browser for free.
Using an anonymous proxy server that acts as an intermediary between the device and the Internet.
In any case, before using it, be sure to check the reputation of the service and do not trust the Russian ones.