There are many reasons why someone would want to change their IP address. This tutorial will show you how to change the IP address of a wired or wireless computer, not the IP address of an internet connection. (To do this, you will need to contact your service provider.) Read on to learn how to change your IP address on Windows and Mac computers.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Changing IP Address on Windows
Step 1. Disable your internet connection
Are you ready to bring your geek to life? Follow these steps to disable your internet easily:
- Press the Windows key and R to open the Run dialog.
- Then press Command and Enter.
- Finally, type "ipconfig /release" and press Enter.
Step 2. Open Control Panel
Go to Network And Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings.
Step 3. Right-click the internet connection you are using
(Your internet connection can be named "Local Area Connection" or "Wireless Internet Connection.") Click properties. If prompted, type the admin code to continue.
Step 4. Look for the Networking tab
Go to that tab, and click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Press the Properties button.
Step 5. On the General tab, click "Use the following IP address" (if it's not already highlighted)
Type a series of ones, so that your new IP address is 111-111-111-111.
Step 6. Press the tab key on your keypad to fill the Subnet Mask area with the automatically generated numbers
Click "ok" twice to take you back to the "Local Area Connection" screen.
Step 7. Understand that a dialog box may appear
A dialog box that says "Since this connection is currently active, some settings will not take effect until the next time you dial it" may appear. This is a normal thing. Click "ok."File:Change Your IP Address Step 7.jpg
Step 8. Right-click your local connection again, and select "Properties
Step 9. Under the Networking tab, click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
Press the Properties button.
Step 10. Check the box "Obtain an IP address automatically
Close the 2 properties box again and connect to the web. Your computer will have a new IP address.
Method 2 of 2: Changing IP Address on Mac OS
Step 1. Open your Safari browser
Step 2. Under the Safari dropdown menu, select Preferences
Step 3. Navigate to the Advanced tab
Step 4. Look for the Proxy category and click "Change Settings
…" This will open your network preferences.
Step 5. Check the Web Proxy (HTTP) box
Step 6. Look for the proper IP address that will serve as your Web Proxy server
You can do it in various ways. Perhaps the most efficient way is to look for sites that offer free proxy servers.
Step 7. Type "free web proxies" into a search engine and navigate to a reputable site
The site should offer a free web proxy, which clearly indicates several different factors:
- Country
- Speed
- Connection time
- Type
Step 8. Find the right web proxy and type the IP address of the proxy into the Web Proxy Server box in your network preferences
Step 9. Type in the port number
It will also be displayed on your free proxy website, along with its IP address. Make sure they match.
Step 10. Click "ok" and "apply" to apply the changes you made
Start browsing. You may be redirected to a web page for a few seconds before you are allowed to continue. Enjoy!
Tips
This is a useful site to see your IP address and to see if it actually works:
Warning
- Sometimes, if they're really lucky (or you're really unlucky and got a bad IP address) they can even find out which area you live in!
- It may not work all the time. That's why you should check it using the site featured in Tips.
- Only for Windows 7. Users of other OS such as Mac and Linux try using other sites.
- Unfortunately, even if you repeatedly change your IP address, many sites will still be able to find out your country and (if you're lucky) your city.
