Intro – Hide Your IP Address On a Mac
An internet protocol address is necessary for getting anything done over the internet. Often when more than one computer is networked together and that network is online an IP Address conflict can occur. Also if you are using the IP for discrete reasons, you wouldn’t want this address conflict to occur.
The good news is an IP Address isn’t like a fingerprint and they’re pretty easy to change. Hiding your IP Address on a Mac is just as easy as on a PC, but the steps to online anonymity are a little different.
Hiding your IP on both requires the use of a proxy server. A proxy server or “proxy” is a second IP that bridges you and the content that you are searching for. Your Mac sends the instructions to the proxy and the proxy sends those instructions to your destination. The outside world would only see the proxy’s IP instead of your own. This can be convenient in any number of ways. Once these are set up, you’re done.
If you stick with Safari for most of your internet needs, the first thing you do after opening a new window is click
Preferences > Advanced > Proxies
and then change settings. Because you are doing this manually click that option. There should be a Secure Web Proxy and a Web Proxy
(HTTP) boxes to check. On the “Bypass proxy” box type in the loop back address “localhost 127.0.0.1” You don’t need to really understand what a loop back address is so you’re safe there.
Now you just need to find a proxy service. There are many to choose from, so make sure you find one that works for you. At this point it doesn’t matter that you are on a Mac instead of a PC. After you’ve found it you’ll need to change your IP port information to match their servers. Copy and paste it into the Web Proxy Server button that was under the Advanced tab. From there all you have to do is hit “Apply now” to save the changes.
If you’re using Firefox the steps are similar. After launch, go to
Preferences > Advanced > Network
Now you should see a “Configure how Firefox connects to the internet” option available. Their should be a radio shaped icon next to the “Manual proxy configuration” button. Now check the box next to “Use this proxy server for all protocols”. Now you need to find a
good proxy to use.
After you’ve found it, copy and paste the IP Port information into the “Web proxy” box. The option is under the advanced settings where we found “Network”. Now type “Localhost 127.0.0.1”or copy and paste it into the “No Proxy for_____” box. When you’re done click the OK button and exit out. You should be good to go!
2 More Ways To Hide Your IP Address On A Mac
Some premium proxy services save you the time and headache of everything you just read. For example, with SecuriTales, all you need to do is sign up, click a link, and you are instantly anonymous online.
>>> Read More About Premium Proxy Services
These services are more aimed at unblocking sites, rather than serious anonymity online. If your online identity is a concern, you may be interested in a virtual private network. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) works in a similar fashion and is more reliable and more secure.
Make sure that you cover all of your options so that you see where you feel comfortable in the balance between anonymity and practicality.
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