Hackers can steal your information with your IP address — how you can hide it now

What is an IP address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to a computer network.

There are two types of IP addresses. The first is your public IP address, which is assigned to your entire home network by your ISP, and what websites see.

Then there's your private IP, which your router assigns to each device inside your house. This allows the router to make sure that the Netflix movie you started on the TV doesn't accidentally play on your laptop instead.

Your public IP is the one that’s most at risk, as it can be easily seen by websites, applications, and in some cases, hackers or bad actors.

Your IP address is not "secret," but it also doesn't reveal your name or your exact front door. It typically shows your general location, the name of your ISP and your online identity, allowing your internet service provider (ISP) to log which customer was using which IP address at any given time.

What hackers can do with your IP address?

While your IP address doesn’t let a hacker instantly control your computer, it is a critical piece of information that can be used to launch more sophisticated attacks.

Because an IP gives you an approximate location, it allows them to potentially launch more sophisticated attacks to target you.

Hackers could launch targeted DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attacks, which flood your internet with data that can knock you off the internet. They can also see which city or ZIP code you are in. While they usually can't see your front door, they can combine this with other public data to find out who you are or find your physical address.

Hackers use tools to see ports on your router and see if they are open. If you have an outdated router or a poorly secured smart device, they can exploit those openings to install malware on your network.

That’s why it’s important to hide your IP address when you can, as it helps increase privacy online and helps mask you from potential hackers.

But which VPN should you use to protect your privacy?

The best VPN to hide your IP address

It’s important to use a VPN that values your privacy and hides your IP address with no risk of it revealing vital information.

Our top pick is ExpressVPN, which is world-class when it comes to privacy. ExpressVPN is an award-winning VPN with gongs from the likes of Techradar, CNET, and Tom's Guide, with praise for its servers dedicated to fast, reliable streaming from anywhere in the world.

Monthly prices start from £1.99 a month, and unlock ExpressVPN across up to 14 devices. Once installed, connect to a UK server from ExpressVPN's network of over 3,000 servers across 105 countries.

The service uses proprietary Lightway protocol for enhanced speed and reliability, ensuring smooth streaming of festival performances.

The service works across all your devices — Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, smart TVs and streaming devices like Fire TV Stick. You can even use ExpressVPN's MediaStreamer feature to watch on devices that don't normally support VPNs, such as PlayStation or Xbox.

ExpressVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to watch the entire festival risk-free and recover your investment if you're not satisfied with the service.

VPNs are not illegal and are often mandated by companies to improve online security for employees. However, it's your responsibility to ensure that you're using these popular apps for legal purposes. Always check the terms and conditions of the streaming service.

Benefits of ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is particularly well-suited for streaming as it boasts VPN server locations in 105 countries, providing access to global coverage.

It offers ultra-fast speeds on a 10-Gbps network, essential for high-quality streaming without buffering. With military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and features like split tunnelling and a kill switch, your online activity stays private.

Based in the British Virgin Islands — outside Five Eyes jurisdiction — it avoids mandatory data retention laws, which means that even if the company were collecting data (it's not), law enforcement from the UK and US would be unable to compel ExpressVPN to hand over any information about its subscribers.

ExpressVPN supports a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and routers. There's no limit on the number of ExpressVPN apps that you can download on your devices, and with a single subscription, you can connect to the VPN on 10x gadgets at once.

It also has a dedicated team that optimises the service for major streaming platforms. Round-the-clock customer support is available if you encounter any issues during race weekend.