Everybody ignores it, but there are websites and people who track everything you do online. Usually, authorities and snoopers can follow what you surf on the internet and your online transactions. All of this happens through your IP address. Your IP identifies your computer or mobile device and informs websites where you access the internet from.
Why Should You Hide Your IP Address?
From the moment you connect to the web, you expose yourself to cyber threats. Unfortunately, despite the cyber threats associated with your IP address, you can’t access the web without it. Every online platform you use can see your IP the moment you connect to it. This identification is necessary as it allows info to flow between you and the platform. Fortunately, you can mask your IP to access the web anonymously. Here are five compelling reasons you should start hiding your IP today. Let’s dive in.
No More Ad Tracking
Websites like Facebook, Google, YouTube, and even Instagram keep track of your browsing history. This action enables them to show you content, including ads, that are precisely targeted to your online habits and browsing history. You might not know this, but you gave them permission to do this when you opened an account with them. Although many individuals find targeted ads tempting and helpful, others find them irritating and intrusive.
Being constantly shown ads for a platform you accessed can be irritating. It can even be more dangerous if you have poor money management skills. Deleting your profiles might work, but it’s not always practical. Here’s a better solution: hiding your identity with an IPRoyal residential proxy or VPN to stop ad networks from keeping track of your online activities.
Say Goodbye to Geographical Barriers
You may have difficulty accessing some services and websites if you do not live in America. Streaming services like Netflix, for instance, limit the movies and series available to international viewers because of copyright laws. Fortunately, masking your IP can help you get around such barriers.
Usually, an IP is tied to your location. However, using a proxy server will appear as if you are accessing the web from another place. This way, the streaming service or website won’t know your exact country, and you can access content freely. Choosing a reliable proxy provider to mask your IP would be best. To get a trustworthy provider, start by checking out the best residential proxy providers. This site has a comprehensive list of reliable residential proxy services to help you make an informed decision.
Better Security When Connecting to Public Wi-Fi
You probably enjoy free Wi-Fi in restaurants, cafés, airports, and hotels, especially if you’re an avid traveler. But what many people don’t realize is that various security threats are associated with free public Wi-Fi. Usually, public Wi-Fi is a hacker’s best place to find victims. They use free Wi-Fi to prey on unsuspecting individuals. Consequently, this free web connection is vulnerable to hacking and spying attacks.
Today, public Wi-Fi is available in most places. Once you connect to these networks, you share your IP with the host. Coincidentally, hackers can snoop on the Wi-Fi you are accessing, and you’re giving them a complete view of your IP address. And once they see it, you can only hope they don’t get any valuable data from you.
Hide Online Activities From Your ISP
It is easy for your internet service provider (ISP) to keep track of your online activities. With all this info, your ISP can sell your traffic data to advertisers or marketing firms without your consent. Have you ever noticed that sometimes you get ads related to your recently searched item(s)? Your internet provider can easily see everything you do online and sell your info to third parties. Fortunately, you can keep your internet activities to yourself when you use a proxy or VPN.
Conclusion
No matter the reason, masking your IP is a practical way to enhance your privacy and security. Everyone has a right to surf the internet how they like without anybody keeping track of their movements. From your ISP to marketers, many parties want to track your data. So, always use reliable proxies or VPNs to keep your activities private.