Changing your IP address may seem unnecessary after you have installed anti-spyware and anti-virus software on your computer, but you should never underestimate the importance of protecting yourself and your identity while surfing the internet. Your Internet Protocol address is just one more way for hackers and scammers to track you down and get their hands on your personal information, and unless you make it a habit to hide your IP, you are giving them an opportunity every time you use the web.
Your IP address is used in a lot of different ways. Some websites track your activity for more accurate marketing, which is why there are so many pop up ads that catch your eye. The most common sites you visit are probably social sites or email providers, and even they can use your IP to find out your location. But the scariest of them all is that hackers can access your computer through your IP address and have access to all of your personal information. Anything you post online or share through the internet could be potential fodder for hackers. It also gives them the ability to attach spyware to your files directly without your knowledge.
It is very important to understand how much information is available online, and how easy it is for someone to use that information wrongly. Then you will see that you should always surf anonymously, and make sure you are changing your IP address to keep hackers from tracking you down. No matter how much anti-spyware and anti-virus protection you have on your computer, your Internet Protocol is still not protected. Turning off pop-ups and cookies also does not prevent you from being tracked.
Proxy servers and IP changing software are the only two methods of protecting your IP. Proxy servers allow you to surf the internet through their website while they hide your IP. These services are generally free, but not always reliable. However, you can also purchase software that will change your IP address for every site you visit, making you nearly untraceable. This software is definitely not free, but compared to the cost of identity theft, the programs available are very reasonably priced.
For many of us, surfing the internet is a daily activity, but oftentimes we are unprepared for the risks we take just by checking our email or reading stuff in a forum. Knowing how to hide your IP address is just one more step towards preventing identity theft, and keeping your personal information safe.