What is an IP address?
If you were to send a letter to a friend of yours through the mail, you would need to write their address on the envelope for it to reach them. Similarly, each computer has its own IP address which is the machine’s unique identifier when sending data out to other computers on a network.
Generally, most networks and all computers on the internet use a TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) as a standard communication language or protocol over a network. Every computer’s unique identifier is located within the TCP/IP protocol.
The standard IP addresses come in two formats. The first – that all computer with an IP address currently use – is the IPv4 (IP version 4) address which is made up of 32 binary bits that creates a unique code for each device such as 96.35.982.692
The IPv6 (IP version 6) address uses 128 binary bits. IPv6 addresses are denoted by eight groups of hexadecimal quartets separated by colons in between them.
Here is an example of a valid IPv6 address: 2001:cdba:0000:0000:0000:0000:3257:9652
How can I keep my IP address hidden?
Whether you are researching sensitive information, organizing with other activists, or just prefer to keep a low profile online there are ways to mask your IP address from prying eyes.
A proxy server is a server that acts as the ‘middle person’ for requests between an individual and the resources on the intended server which is being accessed. As well as masking your IP address, using a proxy allows you to bypass restrictions to websites. In short, once you have connected to a proxy server, you are “outside” of your network and any ‘traffic’ or data being viewed or uploaded/downloaded appears to be coming from the proxy server rather than from your direct network.
Each proxy server offers different services and it is well worth researching which one may be right for your needs. Proxy.org offers a comprehensive and regularly updated web proxy list of the proxy servers out there that you can use.
