The IP address is the number after which each network device identifies each other. The entire Internet is basically a huge database of IP addresses that make all communication work. The IP address is one of the foundations of the modern Internet.
In the context of this article and the place of the user, our computer also has an IP address. Our computer, router, telephone, also communicates thanks to the exchange of data between the equipment with an assigned IP address.
Since we already know that our equipment uses an IP address, we also need to be aware that the IP address allocates (“lends”) to us our Internet service provider for the time of using this Internet. At the same time, since the operator lends us an IP address for the duration of the use of the boarding school, he also knows whom this address is assigned to. Exactly with your name or company name. In the end, we usually have a signed Internet Agreement where we provide our data for the implementation of the contract.
The exception are public places where there are so-called HotSpots. There you are anonymous, of course, to some extent, of course. We do not give any of your data, for example an e-mail address or if you do not log in with the help of even Facebook.
Why change the IP address?
The world of the Internet is very muddled and sometimes there is a need to hide your identity, feel a bit of freedom and sometimes even safety. And it does not always have to be about some macho, scams, etc. Today we are under surveillance at every step. Many websites and applications use our private data from computers or smartphones to steal our data, contacts, photos, preferences, etc. Usually through plugins and applications installed on our equipment.
Sometimes we voluntarily agree to it. By accepting regulations or policies, e.g. cookies. Today on almost every page there is a message about Cookies. Remind yourself! Have you read one of these contents ?!
When installing the software, there are regulations that we usually do not read. They are so common that we simply automatically click on them and accept everything that is written there without even a cursory analysis. Changing the IP address is a change for a moment of our identity. The identifier with which we appear on the Internet.
This is especially useful for people who exchange information between themselves, where disclosure and confidentiality can be broken. and point directly to a specific user. Also in case if any website or service on the Internet is limited by the number of connections from a given IP address or geographically.
Often, some websites (eg websites) may be limited in content (e.g. YouTube) or completely blocked for users of different countries. People traveling abroad, a lot of travelers may particularly feel a certain ‘censorship’.
What does it give and what does this IP address change bring?
Thanks to several ways, changing the IP address can change our whereabouts. Not really, but theoretically we are moving into a completely different place in the world. For example, we can be seen from around the world as a citizen from another country. By using the boarding school in Poland, the world identifies us as if we were currently in Chile, Romania or Ecuador. Although it is not true physically. In fact, our data may travel around the globe just to hit back “by the wall”.
Here are some basic ways to change the IP address:
- Modem / router restart – in the case of large operators who usually give a certain access device, eg modem, router.
Probably the simplest but also the most limited way to change the IP address. Simply turn the modem off and turn it on again after a long while. Practically, this forces the operator to grant a new IP address. this is due to the fact that our device (modem, router) after running to operate must receive an IP address and it rarely happens to receive such as before.
At the same time, the note is that we are still within one operator and such a change does not ensure our anonymity or security. - Using Proxy – this is the so-called broker through which data is sent and he further transmits it as if on our behalf. It is a very old method but often used by the simplicity of use. Its nice feature is that we can use only one service to hide the identity. It is most often used to browse websites and websites. All the rest of the traffic from our computer can work normally. There are many free proxy servers available around the world that you can use. Others, in turn, are paid, but I also have fewer restrictions. It’s worth rethinking.
- Using VPN – it is a very nice way to pass all of the traffic from our equipment, changing the IP address does not only apply to the browser, but to all traffic! In addition, various VPN systems additionally encrypt all traffic. The downside is that in order for the VPN to work, we have to connect to the VPN server, which is not as easy as Proxy. Fortunately, some Internet browsers such as Opera, Firefox or Chrome offer the possibility of using a VPN server. However, please remember that in this case traffic will be sent only from the browser, and the IP address change will be visible when using the websites. Of course, it’s enough to browse the pages. Personally, however, I see that it works differently especially in the case of the Opera where it sometimes disconnects and even more often does not connect to the VPN server at all.
- Tor network – the most controversial and interesting way, probably for this because the Tor network itself is shrouded in a lot of different opinions. Well, but to change the IP address is a very good way. Tor is the whole network created for anonymity to take place on the Internet. This is the most extensive system. Additionally, encrypted and the whole structure allows for safe and anonymous use of the Internet.
To use the Tor network for websites. You can install the appropriate browser created for this purpose is called Tor Browser. But we do not have to limit ourselves only to websites. I recommend looking for more on the subject on the Internet. A very interesting and very wide subject.
Practical:
I remember an anecdote where a friend asked me for help. One of the Polish banks blocked the IP addresses of the operator from whom the company had the Internet. The problem scaled up on a larger scale because it concerned the medium size of the company. Accountants could not make transfers. With the help of simple and fast proxies through which for a moment we passed traffic for the time of making money transfers. By which the bank saw traffic not from IP which is blocked but from a completely different one.
