How to change your IP address (and what it's for) ?

© Unsplash/Priscilla du Preez

Your IP address, whether IPv4 (as four groups of numbers from 1 to 255, separated by a dot as follows, 192.168.0.1) or IPv6 (for example 2001:0db8:0000:0000: 0000:8a2e:0370:7334) is one of the things that permanently identifies your PC, Mac, or mobile on the internet.

With your IP address, a malicious actor can test and possibly test security vulnerabilities on your machine or communicate with malware on it. It can also use this information to track your movements, for example. Beyond that, a cybercriminal can intercept traffic from your computer or smartphone and thus collect sensitive data such as your banking information.

This is why controlling this data is a major security measure. However, it is necessary to distinguish between two types of IP addresses. The first type is the local IP address. This is the one that identifies your machine on a so-called 'local' network. That is to say a network distinct from the global network, identified on the latter by another IP address – which is the second type of IP address, the one that identifies you on the global network.

If your angle is secure, it is advisable to use a VPN to override the addresses automatically assigned by your device. In other cases, it is possible to change, at least, your local address.

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Changing the local IP address is generally very simple, whether you are on Windows, Mac, or on a smartphone.< /p>

Note that a local IP address cannot be changed to any combination of numbers. You must respect the convention in force on your network (do the addresses start with 192.168.1.xxx or something else), as well as the subnet mask (255.255.255.xxx). Copy this last information exactly as it is and only change the last group of numbers.

To change other groups of numbers, it is necessary to modify the settings of your router. By convention, local IP addresses always remain within these limits 10.0.0.0-10.255.255.255, 172.16.0.0-172.31.255.255 and 192.168.0.0-192.168.255.255.

Here is the procedure:

Windows 11

• Open the panel settings.
• Go to Network & Internet in the left panel.
• Select the active connection (Wifi or Ethernet).
• Select Manage then Edit.
• To change your IP address you need to select Manual instead of Automatic (DHCP).
• Change the last digits of the IP address matching your router settings.
• Click Save .

MacOS

• Click the fan in the top bar of the Finder.
• Click WiFi Settings.
• Click on Details to the right of the active network, then go to TCP /IP.
• Change DHCP to Manual.
• Change the last digits of the IP address corresponding to your router settings.
• Click OK.

Android and iPhone

• Go to the Settings and go to the Wifi or Network settings.
• Click the gear or three dots to the right of the active network.
• DeselectDHCP and choose a static address.
• Change the last digits of the IP address corresponding to your router settings.
• Save if the interface prompts you to do so.

Changing an external IP address is generally not possible without going through an external service, especially a VPN that lets you allows you to encrypt your connection in a “tunnel” leading to another point on the network, and provided with a distinct IP address.

We therefore recommend this article to choose a VPN service suited to your case. Some provide a dynamic IP address, while others offer a dedicated IP address. In any case, it is rather recommended to opt for a commercial VPN service to ensure that your personal data will not be exploited for bad purposes.

Here in the following table is a comparative table of some popular services in 2024:

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 111 countries covered

 30 days money back guarantee

 10 simultaneous connections

9.8 /10

Our test Monthly price €3.09 24 MONTHS €4.99 12 MONTHS €11.99 1 MONTH Our opinion: A very good VPN for security and anonymitySpeed ​​Security Features Simplicity Customer support Quality/price VIEW + 1

 3000 servers

 105 countries covered

 30 days money back guarantee

< p>

 8 simultaneous connections

9.4 /10

Our test Monthly rate €6.70 15 MONTHS €9.59 6 MONTHS €12.44 1 MONTH Our opinion: One of the best VPNs on the market!Speed ​​Security Features Simplicity Customer support Quality/price VIEW + 2

 12000 servers

 100 countries covered

 45 days money back guarantee

< p>

 7 simultaneous connections

9.2/10

Our test Monthly price €2.19 26 MONTHS €6.99 6 MONTHS €11.99 1 MONTH Our opinion& nbsp;: An excellent VPN with a very large networkSpeed ​​Security Features Simplicity Customer support Quality/price VIEW + 3

 3200 servers

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 30 days satisfied or refunded

 Connections unlimited< /b>