How to Block Your IP Address

							How to Block Your IP Address
Anytime you connect to the Internet, your computer is assigned a long
number called an IP (Internet Protocol) address. This IP address is
transmitted to any servers that you visit and is logged on those servers,
leaving a trail of your Internet activity. While it is not possible to
surf the web without using an IP address, there are several techniques
you can use to hide an IP address and increase your privacy when online.
By following a few simple steps, you can learn how to block your IP
address.

<Steps
1Use a web-based proxy server. A proxy server is a server that allows you
to specify the web page you want to view, and then makes a request to
that page on your behalf. Your IP address remains hidden, because only
the proxy server's IP address is transmitted to the web page. Proxify.com
is an example of this type of service.<Web-based proxy servers require no
software installation. You navigate your browser to the proxy service's
home page, and then specify the site you want to visit through their
forms (instead of through your browser's address bar). As long as you
continue to browse through the proxy, your IP address will never be
visible to the websites you visit.
Note that many of these proxy servers can be identified as proxies. What
this means is that even though your personal IP address is safe, the
websites you visit may be able to tell you are routing your information
through a proxy. They may block your requests on this basis.
Some web-based services are free, and some require a fee. Free services
are generally much less reliable.

2Configure your browser to surf through a proxy server. Instead of
visiting a website and typing URLs into their forms, you can configure
most web browsers to automatically hide your IP address through a proxy
server. This type of service will require you to download and install a
plug-in for your web browser. An example of this type of service is the
Switchproxy extension for Mozilla Firefox, which pools all of its users'
IP addresses and randomly assigns them to different users.
3Install a proxy server application on your computer. Some proxy surfing
services offer a piece of software that you can purchase and install on
your computer. This software is often much more reliable than using web-
based or browser-based services, and it will usually contain other
features such as virus and spyware protection. An example of this type of
software is Hide My IP. Most of these applications will offer a free
trial version that you can test before purchasing.
4Connect to the Internet through a virtual private network (VPN). A
virtual private network is a service which aims to provide the level of
security found on private networks (like a school or office network)
while surfing the Internet. These services work by routing your IP
address through a host server in a city of your choosing; this will hide
your IP address and also allow you to access content that is censored in
the country you are currently in. An example of this type of service is
VyprVPN.<

Tips
Proxy servers vary in their level of security. Read reviews of different
services to find out which one is right for you.
<Things You'll Need
Proxy software


Related wikiHows
How to Reverse an IP Address
How to Change Your IP Address
How to Ping an IP Address
How to Find the IP Address of Your PC

Sources and Citations
http://whatismyipaddress.com/hide-ip
http://www.livinginternet.com/i/iw_ip.htm