Start with what you want to protect
Online privacy involves your connection, browser, device, and accounts. Hiding your public IP can reduce exposure of your usual network address, but it does not remove every identifier or make you invisible.
Ask who you want to limit information from: websites, a local network operator, your ISP, or someone using your device. Different tools protect different parts of that picture.
Protect your connection
A VPN sends covered traffic through an encrypted connection to its server. A proxy relays selected requests, with encryption and coverage depending on its configuration. Tor Browser routes browsing through a relay network and includes protections against tracking and fingerprinting.
Use HTTPS to protect browser connections to websites. Changing from home Wi-Fi to mobile data changes networks, but does not create a VPN tunnel or anonymity.
Review browser privacy
- Review site permissions for location, camera, and microphone access.
- Limit unnecessary extensions and keep your browser updated.
- Use built-in controls to limit tracking and manage cookies.
- Remember that signing in can identify you even after your IP changes.
Private browsing mainly limits what stays in the browser after a session. It does not replace your public IP. Mozilla explains private browsing’s protections and limits.
Secure your accounts and devices
Use unique passwords, a reputable password manager, and multi-factor authentication where available. Install operating system and app updates. Be cautious about unexpected login requests and links. A VPN does not prevent account compromise or phishing by itself.
Understand location information
IP geolocation estimates a network location. GPS, Wi-Fi positioning, browser location permissions, and an address supplied to an account are separate sources of location information. Review them independently.
Know what this website does
Our homepage displays the public IP used to reach the site and approximate network information. It does not turn on a VPN or verify that every application is protected. The lookup reports provider estimates for VPN, proxy, and Tor use. These signals can be incomplete and do not verify that every application is protected or test DNS and WebRTC leaks.
Read our Privacy Policy for how this website handles information, or return to the IP privacy guide to compare your options.