Ivan Yenisenko – expert in solving problems.
- Public WiFi access points can be dangerous because anyone can connect to them and intercept data.
- To protect yourself from identity theft and maintain your privacy while surfing, you should hide your IP address.
- Although you can do this manually, we recommend using a VPN as it is faster and easier.
- Read our guide to learn how to set up a VPN on your Wi-Fi network.
Public WiFi networks are the sirens of modern technology. They lure you in with their beautiful song of the free internet, and before you know it, your ship is sunk. For this reason, you should hide your device’s IP address on WiFi networks.
Many people are unaware of the real dangers of public WiFi access points. As long as you use your own WiFi network at home, you are more or less safe. But using a public WiFi network makes you completely vulnerable to all kinds of attacks, hackers and other shady stuff.
But that doesn’t mean you should avoid public networks. And in some situations, that’s probably impossible. But if you are using an open network, you must take certain security measures to protect your data, privacy and identity on the network.
The best security measure you can take when connecting to a public WiFi network is to change your IP address. I will now explain why I think changing your IP address is the best precaution you can take, and of course how to do it.
Changing the IP address when using a public WiFi network
The dangers of open WiFi networks
First, let’s explain why you should be careful when using public WiFi networks.
Open WiFi networks have absolutely no security, and any data you send over the Internet is completely unencrypted. This means that anyone connected to the same network can access your personal information. So you don’t have to be a hacker to hack a computer.
Of course, if you’re dealing with a hacker, it’s much worse. Because an attacker has a clear path to your data, including all your passwords, bank accounts, cloud data, work data, and just about everything you do while surfing the web.
There are even scenarios where hackers deliberately create a fake open Wi-Fi network. If you connect to such a network, you’re screwed. This makes it even easier for a hacker to access all your data or even install malware. The attacker can use your computer as if it were you.
What makes all this possible, apart from the fact that your data is not encrypted at all, is the IP address. As soon as you connect to a WiFi network, your device gets an IP address. So the attacker knows your IP address before you connect.
The best way to beat the joker is to disguise the IP address. If you do not use the default IP address on a public network, it is much harder for an intruder to find you. If you don’t know how to change your IP address, stick with me. Statement below.
Hide your device’s IP address on a WiFi network with a VPN.
When you connect to a virtual private network (VPN), you create a virtual tunnel that not only encrypts your data, but also uses the IP address of the VPN server. So you solve both problems of open WiFi networks with a single application.
Using the VPN service is very simple and uncomplicated. Basically, you have to install the application, connect to the internet and that’s it. If you want to learn more about how IP addresses and VPNs work, read our article on hiding your IP address when browsing the web.
There are dozens of VPN services, and almost all of them can get the job done. However, if you want to play it safe, you should invest in a premium option. We recommend private Internet access because it provides everything you need to safely browse the web while connected to a public WiFi network, and more.
Private Internet Access allows you to connect to a secure server and take a different IP address. This means that every website you visit will not see your IP address, but the IP address of the server. For even better protection, you can also redirect your VPN connection to an additional location.
PIA allows you to define which applications you want to use with your VPN. All your traffic can be encrypted and routed through a secure VPN tunnel, or you can configure certain applications to always use or bypass a VPN.
In addition to protecting your data, using a VPN can also unlock geographically restricted services, such as streaming platforms. For example, if you travel outside the United States and want to watch a show on HBO Now, you can connect to the U.S. server and watch the show from anywhere in the world.
Here are some other features of private internet access:
- Protects up to 10 devices simultaneously
- Secure VPN tunnel
- WiFi encryption
- Peer support
- Blocks ads, trackers and malware.
- Unlimited bandwidth
- A strict no-magazine policy
- Multi-platform support for mobile devices, Windows, Linux and Mac.
- More than 3,300 servers in over 45 countries
Private Internet access
Private Internet Access hides your IP address and guarantees the confidentiality and security of your surfing. Benefit now from an exceptional discount!
Now you know how to avoid problems when connecting to public WiFi networks. And don’t forget that the World Wide Web is the Wild West and it’s too beautiful to walk around there unprotected. So make sure you use a good VPN to hide your device’s IP address on WiFi.
FAQ: How to hide your IP
- Does the VPN hide your IP address?
Yes, the VPN hides your IP address when you connect to the server. Moreover, your data is encrypted and thus remains secure even if intercepted.
- How can I hide my Android device on WiFi?
Use a VPN that has an Android application. Private Internet Access supports Android and iOS, as well as Windows, Linux and macOS. Plus, you can use it on up to 10 devices at once.
- What does it mean to control the device via WiFi?
This is a common bug in Chromecast/Google Home, where every Android device connected to the same network can interfere. You can disable this feature in the Settings menu and the problem will disappear.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in November 2017 and revised and updated to be current, accurate and complete in February 2021.
frequently asked questions
How can I hide the devices connected to my WiFi?
Hide your device’s IP address on WiFi networks with a VPN. When you connect to a virtual private network (VPN), you create a virtual tunnel that not only encrypts your data, but also uses the IP address of the VPN server. So you solve both problems of open WiFi networks with a single application.
How can I prevent my phone from showing that it is connected to wifi, so that the administrator cannot block me?
If you have an Android device, you can keep your phone connected to the Wi-Fi network and turn off the Wi-Fi search feature. Just go to Settings > Security and privacy > Location access > Advanced settings > Wi-Fi scanning. iPhone users can also adjust their Wi-Fi settings so that their phone doesn’t send connection requests.
How do I hide the IP address when connecting to WiFi?
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