As we become more reliant on the internet to perform important online activities such as communicating, banking, and working, among others, our need for greater digital privacy and security also grows. One way to protect that security is through a virtual private network (VPN).

However, a lot of misinformation has spread about VPNs, what they do, and the security benefits they offer. In this article, you will gain a better understanding of how a VPN actually works, the benefits it brings to your privacy, and clarify common misconceptions surrounding this technology.

Keeping your data safe with a VPN

A VPN is an app that you install on your device to help keep your personal data safe as you browse the internet. VPNs are particularly helpful when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, securely wrapping your connection in an encrypted tunnel while routing the traffic on your device—from browsing to streaming—to a specialized server.

This process masks your actual IP address, replacing it with the VPN server’s IP address and preventing your internet service provider (ISP), websites you visit, and anyone on that local network from seeing your online activities and physical location.

Essentially, your VPN IP address changes every time you connect to a different server location. If you connect to a server in London then switch to one in Tokyo, you will be assigned a new IP address. Some VPN services may also assign you a new IP address from their pool each time you reconnect to the same location, known as dynamic IP assignment.

Most consumer VPNs use shared IPs, meaning you share the same address with other users for added anonymity. To get a new IP address at any time, simply disconnect from your current server and connect to a new one.

It’s important to understand, however, that a VPN cannot hide your identity and online behavior when you log into your accounts, such as Google or Facebook, regardless of your IP address. Similarly, a VPN doesn’t block cookies, which websites can use to recognize and track your activity on their site.

Advantages of using a VPN

Using a VPN offers a range of benefits that go beyond just hiding your IP address. Below are some of the key advantages of using a VPN to enhance your online security and privacy.

  • Enhances privacy on public Wi-Fi: Encrypts your connection to protect your personal data from hackers and snoops at airports, cafes, and hotels
  • Secures online transactions: Keeps your financial information safe when banking and shopping online by making them unreadable to third parties
  • Reduces digital profiling and ad tracking: Makes it harder for data brokers and advertisers to build a profile of your browsing habits, interests, and lifestyle
  • Enables secure remote access: Connects safely to your work or home network from anywhere in the world without exposing sensitive data

Use cases for using a VPN

When to use a VPN really depends on your needs. For example, you may find yourself using unsecure public Wi-Fi at the airport or a café to do banking or emailing a co-worker. In this case, using a VPN is ideal.

Many people use a VPN for privacy reasons, like stopping advertisers from tracking them. The searches you perform or websites you visit won’t be trackable, which means you can use that shared family computer to plan a surprise vacation with your spouse. The VPN will block advertisers from spoiling the surprise and bombarding your device with ads for plane tickets and hotels.

Guide to changing or masking your IP address with a VPN

Changing or masking your IP address with a VPN is a simple process to protect your online privacy and access content securely from different locations. Follow this quick guide to easily change your IP address and browse with greater privacy and security.

  1. Install a trusted VPN: Choose a reputable VPN provider and install their application on your computer, smartphone, or tablet.
  2. Sign in: Open the app and log in with your account credentials.
  3. Choose a server: Select a server location from the provided list. You can choose a server in a different city or country.
  4. Connect: Click the connect button to establish a secure, encrypted connection to the server.
  5. Verify your new IP address: Open a web browser and search for “what is my IP address” to confirm that your public IP has changed.
  6. Enable security features: For added protection, go into the VPN settings and turn on features such as an automatic kill switch and auto-connect on untrusted networks.

Ways to hide your IP address

While a VPN offers the most comprehensive solution to hide your IP because it encrypts all of your device’s internet traffic, other methods exist. These alternatives, however, come with different features and trade-offs in terms of security, speed, and ease of use. Check out these options to help you choose the right tool for your specific needs.

Proxy server

A proxy server acts as an intermediary for your web traffic, before forwarding it to the website you want to visit. The website sees the proxy’s IP address instead of yours. However, most proxy servers do not encrypt your traffic, making them less secure than a VPN and leaving your data vulnerable to being intercepted. They also typically only work on an app-by-app basis, such as in a web browser, rather than securing your entire device.

Tor

Short for The Onion Router, Tor provides a high level of anonymity by routing your internet traffic through a volunteer-operated network of servers. It encrypts your data in multiple layers, and each “hop” through the network peels one layer off, so no single server knows both your identity and your destination. This makes it very difficult to trace your activity. The main trade-off of this multi-hop process is reduced speed, significantly slowing down your internet connection and making it unsuitable for streaming or large downloads. For the best security, Tor should be accessed using the official Tor browser.

Mobile hotspot

Using your phone’s data through a mobile hotspot assigns a different IP address than your home network, providing a temporary change in location. However, your online activity is still linked to your mobile carrier account, and your general geographic location can still be identified, offering limited privacy protection.

Apple Private Relay

Apple’s iCloud Private Relay is an internet privacy service for Safari users on iOS and macOS launched in 2021. Available with an iCloud+ subscription, the Private Relay is similar to a VPN in that it changes your IP address to block websites from determining your exact location.

When you turn Private Relay on, your device connects to a server that sends your browsing data to a second server, before it travels through the internet. The first server gives you a new IP address to make it harder to track, while the second server hides that information from the website you’re browsing. The first server only knows your original IP address, while the second server only knows what you’re browsing, but not your IP. To activate the Private Relay on your Apple devices, follow these instructions:

  • On your iPhone: From the iCloud tab, navigate to Settings > Private Relay to turn it on. Scroll down to Turn On for Safari > IP Address Location and choose between Approximate or Broader Location.
  • On your Mac: Click on iCloud and navigate to System Preferences > Private Relay > Options > Private Relay for Safari > IP Address Location to change Approximate or Broader Location.

Private Relay only works with Safari on iOS and macOS. Even if you are using an Apple device, a VPN is still a good idea to protect the information that your device sends outside of Safari.

VPN for current McAfee subscribers

If you’re already a McAfee Total Protection subscriber, you have access to unlimited VPN usage. This enables you to mask your IP address and secure all your devices while you shop, bank, and browse online. If you haven’t already signed up, now’s the perfect time.

Choose the best VPN for your needs

With many VPN services available, finding the right one can feel overwhelming. The best VPN for you depends on how you use the internet—whether it’s for streaming, working remotely, protecting your privacy, or accessing geo-restricted content. By focusing on key features like security, speed, privacy policies, and device compatibility, you can confidently choose a VPN that fits your specific needs and ensures reliable, secure online access. Consider these factors:

  • When choosing a VPN service, it’s crucial to select a reputable VPN that puts your privacy first.
  • Look for a provider with a strict no-logs policy, which guarantees they do not record your online activity.
  • Ensure they use modern, strong encryption to keep your data unreadable to others.
  • Key features like DNS leak protection and a kill switch prevent your real IP address from being accidentally exposed.
  • Finally, choose a trustworthy brand that offers support for all your devices and provides reliable customer assistance when you need it.

Quick tips to protect your IP address

Exposing your IP address can reveal your general location and browsing habits, making you vulnerable to tracking or cyber threats. Fortunately, there are simple, effective steps you can take to safeguard it. Below are quick tips to help keep your IP address private:

  • Use a trusted VPN: The most reliable way to hide your IP address is with a reputable VPN service that offers strong encryption and a no-logs policy.
  • Enable auto-connect on public Wi-Fi: Configure your VPN to connect automatically whenever you join an unsecured network to ensure you’re always protected.
  • Verify for leaks: Periodically use an online “DNS leak test” or “IP leak test” to confirm your VPN is working correctly and not exposing your real IP address.
  • Keep your apps updated: Ensure your VPN application and other device software are always up to date to benefit from the latest security improvements.
  • Avoid oversharing on unsecured networks: Even with a VPN, exercise caution and avoid sharing sensitive personal information when connected to networks you don’t fully trust.

FAQs about virtual private networks

Can a VPN protect my search history?

A VPN protects your search history through the secure connection you share. When you search for a website or type a URL into your navigation bar, your device sends something called a DNS request, which translates the website into the IP address of the web server. This is how your browser can find the website and serve its content to you. By encrypting your DNS requests, a VPN hides your search habits and history from those that might use that info to build a profile of you. This type of info could be used in a variety of ways, from legitimately serving targeted ads to nefarious social engineering.

Can a VPN protect my identity?

A VPN can protect your identity by tricking online trackers into thinking that your browsing activities are coming from a different device and location. This throws off the profile advertisers who want to build your profile. A VPN also prevents some types of hacking, stopping man-in-the-middle attacks on public Wi-Fi when a bad actor tries to get between you and the website you’re visiting.

Does a VPN make me anonymous?

A VPN cannot make you anonymous. Your ISP still knows when you’re using the internet, they just can’t see what you’re doing, what sites you visit, or how long you’ve been on a site.

What happens when you hide your IP address?

When you hide your IP address, your online traffic appears to originate from the location of the server you’re connected to, not from your actual location. You might also notice that content and advertisements change to reflect the region of the VPN server. Some security-conscious services such as your bank and subscription services, may prompt you for extra verification because it looks like you are logging in from an unusual place. It’s a key step for privacy. Remember, however, that it doesn’t provide absolute anonymity, as your activity can still be tied to your accounts when you are logged in.

Do I need a VPN if I use Incognito mode?

Private browsing modes can help protect your privacy. They’re useful if you share a device with other people and you don’t want them to see your search history.

Is hiding your IP address illegal?

In many countries, using a VPN to hide an IP address for privacy and security is completely legal. Most countries in North America and Europe do not have laws against masking your IP for legitimate purposes. However, using a VPN does not make illegal activities lawful. You must always adhere to local laws and the terms of service of any website you use. Some countries have specific restrictions or regulations on VPN use, so it is always a good practice to be aware of the rules in your location.

Final thoughts

A reliable VPN is a simple yet powerful tool that helps you hide your IP address, securing your data on any network, from your home Wi-Fi to a public hotspot. By encrypting your connection and masking your location, you can browse, shop, and stream with greater confidence. Now that you know how to hide your IP, you can confidently take the next step in protecting your digital life.

When considering VPN services, choose one from a reputable and trusted VPN provider, like McAfee. Aside from providing antivirus, scam detection, identity protection, your McAfee subscription to this comprehensive solution gives you access to unlimited VPN usage. This enables you to mask your IP address and secure all your devices while you shop, bank, and browse online. Sign up for a McAfee account today.