You’ve likely been browsing around online and visiting different websites for years now. Heck, you’ve likely even made several purchases online without thinking twice about it even though you’ve no doubt heard at least one or two horror stories about people getting ripped off. Don’t worry because you are not alone. People today are just accustomed to the Internet and shopping online. Heck, most people grew up doing this. Well, there was a time not that long ago when the Internet was something foreign. That aside, what you might not know is that when you are visiting these places, you are leaving behind a digital footprint. This footprint is known as your IP address and can later be accessed for a number of reasons.
What Is An IP Address
IP address stands for internet protocol and it basically is your identification. It is like your driver’s license, except you are leaving it behind everywhere you go. It’s almost like signing a guestbook and leaving your social security number printed in it. When you connect to the Internet, you are assigned an IP address. Sometimes this address might change and sometime it might stay the same, depending on the type of connection you have. This might sound harmless, but when your IP address is visible for the world to so, your privacy and safety are at risk.
Hides You Identity
The first reason is probably pretty obvious as to why you want to hide your IP. When you visit sites, those sites can see your IP. And, don’t think they aren’t looking because they do. They build profiles on your behavior on their website so they can target you. They’ll find advertisements that are specifically tailored to your browsing activities so that they can increase their chances of selling you something. When you hide your IP, they can’t do this.
Play Games And Steam Safely
You can watch movies and play games online today for free on a lot of sites where they would normally cost money. Heck, you can watch brand new movies online that are still in the theaters. While playing baccarat online is legal in most states, there are still somewhere it is considered illegal. If you are caught gambling, you could be subject to fines and jail time just like if you got caught gambling in public. And, don’t think your Internet provider doesn’t watch for this information. They do, but you won’t have to worry when you hide your IP.
Hiding Your IP
These two above are just two of the many reasons that you would want to hide your IP. There are tons of other reasons. That being said, there are also two primary ways that you can hide your IP address. The first would be by taking advantage of what is known as a proxy server or VPN (a virtual private network). The second would be to use an anonymous browser. Both of these methods are fairly straightforward and can be utilized for no charge. You can find more information online about both.
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