Surf The Net Anonymously to Change Your IP Address

Your IP address is your ID on the internet. That means it carries your name, your address, and possibly more intimate information about you.  This is a convenient way for your ISP and your government to keeps tabs on you. It's also a good way for websites to identify past users. Unfortunately for you, sometimes this has some disadvantages. It can mean a loss of privacy on the internet. It can mean restriction for some websites.  It can mean a security breach.  You can surf the net anonymously, change your IP address, and fix all these problems.Loss of PrivacyWhen you surf the internet, you IP is most likely being recorded at each website you visit. Each link you click, especially advertisements will make a mark down of who you are, and various online entities will build an online profile of you. What do you like to click? Where have you been recently? What cookies are stored in you browser settings?  What kind of shopper are you?  Most people don't realize this, but when they do, they're not to happy.  Hiding your IP address means that its next to impossible for these people, websites, or organizations to profile you and track you online.  If they can't see your real ID, then they can't see the real you.Restricted AccessSome websites, like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and a few other streaming media sites restrict access to their sites based on location.  If you're outside The USA, you can't access Netflix. If you're outside The UK, you can't access iPlayer.  Users outside Canada can't access the CBC streaming website, and there are country specific sites for each country in the world.  Being able to change your IP address means that you can get an identity from anywhere in the world.  As long as the software you get is up to date and provides decent encryption, then you don't have to worry about your real ID being exposed.Security BreachConnecting to open networks, like at an internet cafe, dormitory, or other public place means that you share a network address with other users. This also means that with the right kind of software, they can monitor and hijack your online data.  It's not hard to do - you don't have to be Neo to get it done.  Hiding your IP address to surf the net anonymously means that you disappear from shared networks.  If you don't exist on the network, they can't find you.  This is the best way to prevent a security breach of you sensitive online data.