Last Updated on September 23, 2024

Multiple Web Browsers – Surf with a Different IP Address

When you go online you basically have a single public IP address. It’s the one assigned to you by however you gain access to the internet from – maybe it’s your home broadband provider, the coffee shop you’re in or the library/hotel internet gateway. If you’re using a smart phone then it will be the mobile gateway you’re currently attached to and it could change at nay moment.

What’s the difference between a Public and Private IP Address

The distinction between public and private IP addresses is primarily about their scope and how they are used within networks. Here’s a breakdown of the differences:

Public IP Address

1. Public IP addresses are used on the wider internet. They are unique across the entire internet.
2.Assignment: Public IP addresses are assigned by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and are obtained from a pool of IP addresses managed by regional internet registries.
3.Accessibility: Devices with public IP addresses can be accessed directly from anywhere on the internet, making them suitable for web servers, email servers, and any other service that needs to be publicly accessible.
4.Example Ranges: IPv4 public addresses range from 1.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.255, excluding the private ranges.

Private IP Address

1. Private IP addresses are used within private networks. They are unique within the network but not across the entire internet.
2. Private IP addresses are assigned by network administrators within an organization. They do not require approval from ISPs.
3. Devices with private IP addresses cannot be accessed directly from the internet. They are typically used within home, office, and enterprise networks.
4.IPv4 private address ranges are:
– 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255 (10.0.0.0/8)
– 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255 (172.16.0.0/12)
– 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255 (192.168.0.0/16)

 

Key Points:
NAT (Network Address Translation): A technology often used to allow devices with private IP addresses to access the internet by mapping private IP addresses to a public IP address.
Security: Private IP addresses add a layer of security because they are not directly reachable from the internet. However, security measures like firewalls and VPNs are still necessary.
IPv6: With IPv6, the distinction remains, but there are many more addresses available, reducing the need for NAT. IPv6 private addresses are referred to as Unique Local Addresses (ULAs).

In summary, public IP addresses are for external communication across the internet, while private IP addresses are for internal communication within a private network.

Internet Facing IP address = Public IP Address

This is the important factor to remember – when you’re online it’s the public IP address which is used, if you see someone talking about their IP address then it’s generally this one.  It’s certainly the one attached to your connection, or revealed to any site you visit through your internet browser.

We can get hundreds of private IP addresses very easily by just creating them on a private network – but it’s public IP addresses which are important.  These are completely unique and we don’t control them at all – although we can gain access to additional IPs through a proxy or VPN service.

Using Multiple IP Addresses on different Browsers

Here’s how we can assign multiple public IP addresses to different browsers – this uses NordVPN.

In this video – opening multiple web browsers with different IP addresses, we’re effectively running different IP addresses on the same computer. We don’t ‘own’ these IP addresses and we can’t assign them directly to the NIC (network interface card) in our device but we can use them to browse online under these two identities.

How to Use a VPN to Bypass Geo-Blocks

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to bypass geo-blocks is a straightforward process. Here are the steps:

• Choose a Reliable VPN Provider: Select a trustworthy VPN service that has servers in the location you want to access content from. Some popular options include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost.
• Sign Up and Download the VPN App: After choosing a VPN provider, sign up for their service and download the appropriate app for your device (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, etc.).
• Install and Open the VPN App: Follow the installation instructions for your device. Once installed, open the VPN app.
• Log In to Your Account: Use the credentials you created during the sign-up process to log in to the VPN app.
• Select a Server Location: Choose a server in the country where the content you want to access is available. For example, if you want to watch a show available only in the U.S., connect to a U.S. server.
• Connect to the VPN Server: Click the connect button to establish a connection to the selected server. The VPN will route your internet traffic through this server, making it appear as if you are browsing from the chosen location.
• Access the Content: Once connected, visit the website or open the app with the geo-blocked content. You should now be able to access it as if you were in the server’s location.
• Disconnect When Done: When you no longer need to bypass the geo-block, open the VPN app and disconnect from the server.

Additional VPN Tips

• Make sure your VPN provider has strong encryption and a no-logs policy for better privacy.
• Some streaming services actively block VPN servers, so you might need to try different servers or contact your VPN’s customer support for assistance.
• Regularly update your VPN app to benefit from the latest security features and server options.

Using a VPN can help you bypass geo-blocks and access content from different regions while maintaining your privacy and security online.