How to Change Your IP Location Without VPN
If you’re looking for ways to change your IP (Internet Protocol) location without using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), then this article is for you. We’ll cover the basics of geolocation and then walk you through the steps to change your IP address. Before we begin, it’s important to note that this is a legal issue and you may run into trouble if you aren’t careful. So, make sure you’re aware of and abide by any geo-location restrictions when changing your IP address.
What is Geo-Location?
Geo-location is the practice of identifying and locating a device or entity’s physical location (usually, but not always, associated with a particular country or region). You might be familiar with using geo-location services like Google Maps or Apple Maps to find businesses or directions, respectively. These services use a variety of methods to determine your location, including IP (Internet Protocol) geolocation, cell tower triangulation, and GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking.
While these services can be quite useful, they can also be rather intrusive (especially if you have an IP address that’s not tied to you). For example, if you have a cell phone, your carrier (and potentially the government) can determine a lot about you simply by analyzing your phone’s network traffic, even though you haven’t done anything illegal. So, using these services to find directions or learn about a nearby business can potentially put your privacy first. This is why we generally recommend against using geo-location services when changing your IP address. It’s also why we don’t recommend using free geo-location tools like Google GeoLocation and MapQuest Geolocation, as these services can’t help but spy on you.
Why do I need to change my IP address?
If you’re looking for ways to change your IP address for ANY reason, then this article isn’t for you. However, if you’re looking to do so because you’re tired of being tracked by your ISP (Internet Service Provider), then you might find this article helpful. We’ll cover why and how your IP address is determined below. If you’re not sure what an IP address is, here’s a brief lesson:
Every device or server on the internet has an IP address. Think of it as the postal address of the device. This address consists of four numbers: the first two numbers indicate the region the device is located in (e.g., North America), the third number indicates the country, and the last two numbers indicate the specific unit or segment the device is located in (e.g., 203.122.124.1).
If you have a static IP address (one that doesn’t change), then it’s usually 192.168.0.1. If you’re looking for a new IP address, then you can use one of these online tools to find a random address that’s not in use:
- IPvanish: (www.ipvanish.com) – Get a free 14-day trial and cancel anytime.
- PureVPN: ((www.purevpn.com)) – Get a free seven-day trial and cancel anytime.
- Private Tunnel: ((www.privatetunnel.com)) – Get a free 30-day trial and cancel anytime.
- NordVPN: ((www.nordvpn.com)) – Get a free 30-day trial and cancel anytime.
- CyberGhost: ((www.cyberghostvpn.com)) – Get a free one-month trial and cancel anytime.
- Sage Bikes: ((www.sagebikes.com)) – Get a free one-month trial and cancel anytime.
Once you have a new IP address (and VPN if you’re using one), you can use the websites and services you normally use to browse the web. However, ensure that your VPN is set to disconnect when you browse online (this can be found under the advanced settings for your VPN account). Disconnecting your VPN when you browse the web stops any tracking that your ISP might do and prevents the web sites you visit from collecting your personal information. This is a security and privacy measure that’s highly recommended.
How is my IP address determined?
There are several ways your IP address can change, but only one of them is under your control. The way your IP address is determined is called DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).
DHCP is a protocol that allows a device to be configured automatically when it connects to a network. Most residential and small business connections come with DHCP capabilities built-in. This means that when you connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot at a coffee shop or airport, your computer automatically grabs an IP address from a pool (belonging to one of your neighbors, for example) and configures itself for web browsing. In most cases, this is a desirable feature as it saves you from having to memorize several IP addresses and manually input them whenever you want to use a specific website or service. However, if you don’t want other people to know what kind of computer or device you have (or if you want to be able to browse anonymously), then you should disable DHCP on your home network.
What is DHCP’s default setting?
With DHCP, the IP address assigned to your computer is determined by your router’s settings. If you have a router with DHCP capabilities, then chances are it’s set to assign the IP address to the same subnet every time a device connects to the network. This means that whenever someone else connects a device (e.g., a printer or camera) to the network, they will automatically receive the same IP address as you.
If you have a residential connection or a small business connection that’s not set to assign a specific IP address to each device, then it’s likely your DHCP is set to give out a random address every time a device connects to the network. In these cases, it’s best to either set a static IP address for each device or to connect the device to the network manually (so DHCP doesn’t get in the way when you need a specific IP address).
How do I prevent my IP address from being tracked?
There are several ways you can prevent your IP address from being tracked, but they all require a bit of a stretch. If you have a VPN, then you should already be aware of the security and privacy risks associated with leaving it connected while you browse the web. Disconnecting your VPN when you browse the web stops most tracking that your ISP might do and prevents the web sites you visit from collecting your personal information. This is a security and privacy measure that’s highly recommended. While it’s not always possible to completely prevent every instance of online tracking (e.g., if you use social media or search engines to find information online), it’s possible to limit the information others can get about you.
Is there any way to completely prevent my IP address from being tracked?
Yes, there is a way to completely prevent your IP address from being tracked, but it requires a bit of a hack. If you really want to be anonymous while browsing the web, then you should look into using a free VPN and disconnecting from the internet when you’re not using it. This way, your IP address will be hidden and any personal information that might be associated with it (like your name or address) will remain undisclosed. Make sure to keep in mind, though, that when you’re online, your VPN is connecting you to resources across the globe, which might negate the privacy you’re trying to protect.
Hopefully, this article was helpful. Knowing how to change your IP address without using a VPN (or other similar services) can help you increase your privacy and security when browsing the web. If you’re looking for ways to change your IP address for legal reasons, then this article isn’t for you as you’ll need to connect with a VPN to ensure your privacy and security while browsing the web.