The easiest and most efficient way to get a US IP address is by signing up for a suitable VPN provider. In this article, we’ll teach you how to get an American IP address to access content and services only available in the US as you travel abroad. This method works for most popular devices including Mac and Windows desktop PCs, Android smartphones and tablets, iPhone and iPads, the Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV, plus many more.
How to get a US IP address
Getting a US IP address is easy, just follow these steps:
- Sign up for a Virtual Private Network (VPN). We recommend NordVPN.
- Register for the service and download the VPN software or app
- Clear your cookies and restart your device to remove old location identifiers
- Log in to your VPN provider and connect to a server in the US
- Access your US site like you normally would
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Why get an American IP address?
People might want to obtain a US IP address for several reasons. American residents traveling abroad can use it to regain access to geo-restricted media streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. Netflix restricts its catalog depending on where you’ve logged in from, so it’s a good choice if you would like to obtain the full range of movies and TV shows. That’s similar to how HBO GO and Vudu operate, so a VPN is a good tool for those as well.
Others might want to keep in touch with live sports such as Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), or the National Football League (NFL) by streaming ESPN.
With a US IP address, you can also access online banking and other services that block non-US users.
What’s the best VPN to get a US IP address?
In this section, we’ll take you through our list of what we think are the best VPNs that’ll give you a speedy and stable connection to a US server.
We’ll cover the best VPNs for getting a US IP address in detail. If you don’t want to read the whole article here is our summary list of the 7 best VPNs to get a US IP:
- NordVPN: Our #1 Choice! Dozens of superfast servers in multiple locations throughout the US. Lets you stream a huge range of content abroad. Includes 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark: Steady speeds, no connection limit, and plenty of American servers to choose from. Impressive security and privacy features.
- ExpressVPN: A reliable, reputable VPN boasting real versatility, high-speed American servers, and top-notch security features.
- CyberGhost: Good choice for beginners. Hundreds of servers in the US. Apps are easy to install and use. 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Private Internet Access: Fast US-based VPN with servers in 20 US cities. Highly customizable security options. No logs policy. Works with Netflix US.
- PrivateVPN: Secure Swedish VPN provider. Great for torrenting. Works with Netflix US, Hulu, and many more US services.
- AtlasVPN: Superb option for streaming. Good value for money. Fast WireGuard connections. Servers in 6 US cities.
Criteria for selecting the best VPNs to get an IP address for the US
We go into more detail on the exact criteria used for selecting a VPN to get a US IP address later, but here is a quick rundown of a few key areas we look at:
- Large range of server locations in the US
- Speed and stability of connection
- Rigid encryption protocols so your location remains hidden
- Ease of use
- Apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS
Without further ado here’s our rundown of the top VPNs for US IP addresses:
Best VPN to get a US IP address – at a glance
We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for getting a US IP address.
No value NordVPN Surfshark ExpressVPN CyberGhost Private Internet Access PrivateVPN AtlasVPN Website NordVPN.com Surfshark.com ExpressVPN.com Cyberghost.com PrivateInternetAccess.com PrivateVPN.com atlasvpn.com Ranking for US 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 US Servers 15 cities / 1970+ servers 25 cities / 600+ servers 15 cities 11 cities / 1422 servers 53 cities 12 cities 7 cities Avg Speed (US) 100+ Mbps 100+ Mbps 100+ Mbps 100+ Mbps 100+ Mbps 50 Mbps 100+ Mbps Streaming services Netflix
Amazon Prime
BBC iPlayer
Hulu
Disney+
YouTubeNetflix
Amazon Prime
BBC iPlayer
Hulu
Disney+
YouTubeNetflix
Amazon Prime
BBC iPlayer
Hulu
Disney+
YouTubeNetflix
Amazon Prime
Disney+Netflix
Amazon Prime
Disney+Netflix
Amazon Prime
Disney+Netflix
Amazon Prime
Disney+Devices Supported Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers Windows, MacOS, Linux (command line), iOS, Android, Smart TVs Routers Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TV's, Routers Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Routers Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Best deal (per month) $3.29
SAVE up to 63% + 3 months FREE$2.30
Get 2 Months FREE with a 2-year plan$6.67
SAVE: 49% on the annual plan$2.19
SAVE 82% on the 2 year plan + 2 months FREE$2.19
SAVE 82% on the 2 yr plan + 2 months free$2.00
SAVE 85% on the three year plan$2.05
SAVE 83% on a 2 year plan
1. NordVPN
May 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is an excellent option for advanced users who want customized options coupled with tier-1 service. In fact, out of all the VPN’s we’ve tested, this is by far the fastest.
NordVPN allows you to select servers based on your specific requirements – such as anti-DDoS, video streaming, double VPN, Tor over VPN, or P2P. NordVPN operates more than 5,000 servers in total, and a large portion of those are in the US.
It works well with Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, among others.
NordVPN uses the 256-bit AES protocol encryption standard by default coupled with 2,048-bit SSL keys. DNS leak protection is enabled. It holds zero user data – this includes browsing habits, timestamps, and server information.
There’s apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
NordVPN speed test data
No value | NordVPN |
---|---|
Website | NordVPN.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 268 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 174 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 147 Mbps |
Best deal (per month) | $3.29 SAVE up to 63% + 3 months FREE |
Pros:
- Beats all of its rivals when it comes to speed
- Excels at securely accessing region-locked services
- No logs policy
- Strong security and privacy features
- Tons of servers
Cons:
- Desktop app is a little sluggish
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR A US IP ADDRESS:NordVPN is our first choice for getting a US IP address. It’s extremely fast, has a major security focus, and allows up to 6 simultaneous connections. Best of all, it keeps no logs and has a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here’s our full review of NordVPN.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark operates VPN servers in 20+ US cities. It’s also one of the only providers on this list to allow users an unlimited number of connections on a single plan. This VPN works with plenty of platforms including US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, among others. Kill switches come built into both the mobile and desktop apps, so you never have to worry about leaking your real IP address.
Live chat support is staffed around the clock. Surfshark uses strong encryption and keeps no logs. Torrenting is allowed.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Linux, and Android.
Surfshark speed test data
No value | Surfshark |
---|---|
Website | Surfshark.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 205 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 193 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 168 Mbps |
Best deal (per month) | $2.30 Get 2 Months FREE with a 2-year plan |
Pros:
- Great for American Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video
- Generally strong speeds
- Impressive security offering
- Keeps no logs
- Unlimited devices
Cons:
- Relatively small server network
- Occasional slow server
Our score:
BEST BUDGET PICK:Get a US IP for as many devices as you want with Surfshark. This VPN is fast, affordable, and security-conscious, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN is an impeccable VPN service that’s easy to set up and comes with a simple design. The service packs a punch when rated on both speed and encryption standards. The US occupies the bulk of ExpressVPN’s server locations with options in 14 cities. Overall there are over 3,000 servers in 94 countries and 160 locations spread across the world.
The company has a stated policy of not storing any user or traffic logs, so it scores high marks from a privacy angle too. The only minimal data it does extract is the “date (not time) of connection, choice of server location, and total bandwidth used”. This is used to improve service quality standards. It’s important to note that your individual IP address won’t be recorded.
If you’re still feeling skittish, we recommend you sign up for the service via a burner email account and pay through Bitcoin. It’ll become extremely difficult for your digital footprint to be traced back to you.
Encryption standards are military grade. The service leverages 256-bit AES-CBC protocols as well as HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy. An internet kill switch is included, which ExpressVPN refers to as a ‘network lock’. This feature means all web traffic will be temporarily halted if the connection drops.
The service is able to securely access Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max.
There are apps for Android and iOS as well as desktop clients for Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
ExpressVPN speed test data
No value | ExpressVPN |
---|---|
Website | ExpressVPN.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 253 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 193 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 133 Mbps |
Best deal (per month) | $6.67 SAVE: 49% on the annual plan |
Pros:
- Strong connection security
- Fast, stable speeds
- Plenty of servers
- Great for streaming content from anywhere
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive
Our score:
GREAT ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable choice Great for streaming. Strong privacy features and a no-logs policy, not to mention a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here’s our in-depth ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost will appeal to beginner users who want a relatively inexpensive VPN. It delivers on both speed and security, as well as the ability to securely access streaming sites like American Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
The company is headquartered in Romania, which means it’s not required to store any user information, so it keeps zero logs.
Apps are available for both Android and iOS as well as desktop support for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Encryption standards are among the best in the business. An internet kill switch is included.
CyberGhost speed test data
No value | CyberGhost |
---|---|
Website | Cyberghost.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 392 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 244 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 253 Mbps |
Best deal (per month) | $2.19 SAVE 82% on the 2 year plan + 2 months FREE |
Pros:
- Works with lots of streaming sites
- Fast connections
- Great security
- Zero logs
Cons:
- Not suitable for users in China
- Few customizable features
Our score:
BEST FOR BEGINNERS:CyberGhost has a simple set up and is easy to use. Streams HD video reliably. Limited in use with some popular streaming sites. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of CyberGhost.
5. Private Internet Access
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.PrivateInternetAccess.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PIA is a US-based VPN that is strong on privacy and security. It is suitable for getting an IP address in the US, thanks to its servers in 20 cities. This service has over 10,000 servers in total spread across 80+ countries, which also allows you to unblock services from all over the world.
PIA has apps for all platforms and they come with many advanced features. This includes DNS leak protection, a kill-switch, malware filtering, and customizable encryption options. This allows you to strengthen or weaken the encryption depending on what you need. This makes the VPN versatile and means you can always get security or added privacy whether at home or on public wifi. It also has a no-logs policy that it has proven in court.
When it comes to accessing US streaming platforms, this VPN is not as good as our other recommendations. It does work with Netflix US, but it struggles with many others. The good news is that the VPN has a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. So, if you do want to check it with your specific VoD account, you can.
If you have any questions or want help with using or setting up the VPN, you can contact the 24/7 live chat support. Finally, torrenting is allowed and the VPN throws in a Shadowsocks proxy for those who need it.
Private Internet Access speed test data
No value | Private Internet Access |
---|---|
Website | PrivateInternetAccess.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 93 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 58 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 200 Mbps |
Best deal (per month) | $2.19 SAVE 82% on the 2 yr plan + 2 months free |
Pros:
- Fast WireGuard protocol
- Strong security and highly customizable apps
- Zero logs
- Works with Netflix US
- Servers in 20 US cities
Cons:
- Sometimes struggles with streaming services
- Based in the US
Our score:
HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE:Fast and secure. Lets you connect using up to 10 devices at once. No logs policy. Over 10,000 servers in 80+ countries; including servers in 20 US cities. WireGuard and OpenVPN protocol. robust AES encryption. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of PIA.
6. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN is a reliable provider based in Sweden. It has super-secure apps for all platforms that come with a wealth of useful privacy and security feature. This includes DNS leak protection, a kill-switch, obfuscation, AES encryption, and an auto-connect feature. It also has a solid no-logs policy and servers that are optimized for torrenting.
Servers are located in 63+ countries. Admittedly, it does have fewer servers in total compared to our other recommendations (it only has around 250 in total). That said, it provides fantastic speeds for streaming, and it is one of the few services that consistently works to access around 20 different Netflix regions, Hulu, iPlayer, Amazon time Video, and more.
The primary drawback with this service is that the live chat is only available between 18 and 22 hours per day. This is an extremely minor complaint, and you can always send them an email instead. Servers are available right across the US East and West coast to let you get a US IP address where you need it. You can test it yourself with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
PrivateVPN speed test data
No value | PrivateVPN |
---|---|
Website | PrivateVPN.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 94 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 57 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 62 Mbps |
Best deal (per month) | $2.00 SAVE 85% on the three year plan |
Pros:
- Secure apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
- Works in China
- Good for American Netflix
- No logs
- Lots of advanced features
Cons:
- Fewer servers in each location than competitors
Our score:
SOLID PERFORMER:This Swedish VPN has bare metal servers in 63 countries, including the US. Works with around two-dozen Netflix regions. Excellent connection speeds. Allows torrenting. Easy to use. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of PrivateVPN.
7. AtlasVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.atlasvpn.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
AtlasVPN has around 700 servers in 30+ countries worldwide, including the US. This simple VPN doesn’t have as many advanced features as our other recommendations, but it is an excellent low-cost option that works well for streaming US TV platforms. This includes popular platforms like Netflix US, iPlayer, Hulu, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and HBO Max.
In addition to being cheap, this VPN is generous. It lets you connect an unlimited number of devices. This means you can share your account with all your friends and family if you want to. It also means you can use it to gain online privacy whether at home or on public wifi using your mobile devices.
One slight caveat is that this VPN does not provide the popular OpenVPN protocol. However, it does have IKEv2 with robust AES-256 encryption, and the super-fast WireGuard protocol for streaming and torrenting. A no-logs policy means the VPN never tracks what you do online. You can test it yourself to get an IP address in 6 different US cities and in 30+ countries around the world.
AtlasVPN speed test data
No value | AtlasVPN |
---|---|
Website | atlasvpn.com | Average Connection Speed - North America (USA) | 297 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK) | 158 Mbps | Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong) | 356 Mbps |
Best deal (per month) | $2.05 SAVE 83% on a 2 year plan |
Pros:
- Fast, reliable server connections
- Works with a wide range of geo-blocked platforms
- Strong on connection security
- Servers in 6 US cities
- Unlimited connections permitted
Cons:
- Fewer advances features
- Servers in 30+ countries only
Our score:
GOOD FOR STREAMING:A fast US-based VPN that has servers in six US cities. Allows an unlimited number of connections. Works with most streaming services. Easy to use. Kill-switch and split tunneling features. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Find out more in our full AtlasVPN review.
Should I use a free VPN?
Free VPNs are heavily advertised on the internet and some users may be tempted to sign up. However, many such services have a poor track record of impinging on users’ rights by stealing their data and selling it to third-party advertisers.
After all, even free VPNs are registered businesses. Hence they need to make money to pay for staff salaries, server maintenance, and general office overheads. That’s why the route for monetization becomes users themselves.
Even if your data isn’t stolen, expect bandwidth throttling, weak encryption standards, and data caps. So it’s likely that you’ll be booted out if you stream Netflix for an hour or so. Tons of invasive advertisements are also common, with the real risk of contracting a malware infection. We recommend you avoid the random free VPNs on the web.
See also:
Some VPNs to avoid
If you’re trying to obtain a US IP address, it’s pivotal that your privacy and anonymity is secured at all times. The VPNs mentioned in this list don’t have a history of handing over user data but there are several other unscrupulous ones. We think you should turn your back on them.
Here are two such cases:
1. PureVPN
There’s evidence to suggest that VPN provider PureVPN collaborated with law enforcement agencies to help identify one of its users.
PureVPN and the FBI joined forces after an unnamed 24-year-old woman filed a complaint about falling prey to an online blackmailing plot. She suspected her roommate, Ryan Lin, to be culpable.
The FBI traced the internet activity back to PureVPN, who then used its logs to identify the culprit. Ryan was arrested. PureVPN insists that it didn’t record the content of communications, but it did have a ‘no-logs’ policy in place. There’s a real question mark on how ethical they might have behaved.
2. HolaVPN
Israel-based Hola, a popular VPN extension for Chrome, used its sizable user base of almost 50 million for illegal purposes. The company turned this critical mass into a massive botnet in 2015, leveraging individual user bandwidth to engage in Distributed Denial of Service Attacks and distributing copyrighted material. Users were completely in the dark.
I’ve downloaded a VPN. What do I do next?
After registering and signing up for one of the VPN services we’ve recommended in this article, it’s a simple matter of downloading the client software and installing it on your device (Windows, MacOS, Android, or iOS).
Once that’s done, scroll through the list of available server locations until you come across options for the US. As mentioned before, each VPN in this list has a sizable number of said locations so this shouldn’t be a particularly cumbersome task.
The ones higher up in the list should be the speedier ones so go for those if you can. Once the connection is successfully established, a green icon should show up in the taskbar. That means you’re now ready to browse the web anonymously and with a US IP address.
Use an American DNS server
Nearly as important as your public IP address is the server your device uses to look up the IP addresses of different web pages and other online content. DNS, or Domain Name System, works sort of like a phone book in which names (domains) are matched with phone numbers (IP addresses). When attempting to access geo-locked content, many websites not only check where you’re calling from, but where the phone book is located.
Even when you have an American IP address, if a DNS request is sent to a server outside of the US to look up a public IP address, the website or app can see this and still block you. Therefore, it’s important that the DNS server you use is in the same country as your IP address. In this case, you need a DNS server inside the US.
All of the VPNs in the above list have apps that take care of this for you. When you connect to the VPN server, your DNS requests are also sent through the encrypted tunnel. Good VPNs, like the ones we recommend, operate their own private DNS servers, so your DNS requests cannot be used to track which websites you visit by your Internet Service Provider or another DNS server provider. You might need to toggle this option on in your VPN app’s settings.
Some mediocre VPNs will send your DNS requests through the tunnel, but then use a public DNS service like Google DNS on the other side. This will let you use DNS servers in the US, but Google would be able to record which websites you visit and when, which is not ideal for privacy. Other VPNs fail to tunnel DNS requests altogether.
If your VPN provider doesn’t tunnel DNS traffic for you, you can manually configure DNS servers on most devices. We recommend a service like OpenNIC, which offers free DNS servers in specific countries including the US. The exact process for changing DNS servers varies between devices, but you can usually add primary and secondary DNS servers somewhere in your network configuration settings.
Windows 10 users in particular should be aware that their operating system often sends such requests in tandem, one over the IPv4 protocol and one over IPv6. Windows uses whichever one comes back faster, however, IPv6 requests are often sent outside the VPN tunnel. If your VPN doesn’t offer IPv6 leak protection, you may need to disable IPv6 altogether in your wifi settings.
What are the other ways to get a US IP address?
There’s the option of using the Tor browser. This is a free service available to everyone on the web and designed to provide encryption and anonymity. Many people including journalists, human rights activists, and whistleblowers use Tor to keep their identity hidden on the web.
It is possible to acquire a US IP address with Tor, but the process is a bit complicated and requires multiple steps. This guide breaks it down in more detail. Having said that, speeds on the Tor browser are buggy at best so if you’re looking to download or stream HD video, this isn’t a suitable option. Best to go with a VPN instead.
The last possible option is to use a free proxy server. But these work in a similar vein to free VPN services. There are download caps and unclear privacy policies. Be prepared to be booted out just halfway into your episode of House of Cards. HTTP and SOCKS proxies often aren’t encrypted, and they only route internet traffic from certain apps, such as your web browser.
Finding the best VPNs to get a US IP address: our methodology
Traveling abroad may have some impact on your usual online activity, particularly when it comes to streaming. There are a number of hurdles to overcome including geographic restrictions, slow speeds, and poor security on public wifi. To make your life easier, we evaluated each VPN to ensure it meets the criteria as listed below:
- Servers in the US: Of course, in order to get a US IP address, you’ll need to use a VPN that offers servers in the US. It also helps if these servers are spread across multiple cities. That way, you can select a server closer to your location for faster speeds. That’s why we’ve covered only the fastest VPNs.
- Speed: The faster the speeds offered by a VPN, the easier it will be to stream and torrent. All of the VPNs recommended in this post provide not only fast server speeds but unlimited bandwidth. This becomes most obvious when streaming as you’re less likely to encounter lag and buffering.
- Network size: Traveling outside the US may mean you occasionally need more than just a US IP address. Indeed, there may be websites or services from other countries that you wish to access. A VPN should therefore provide servers in dozens of countries around the world.
- Security: If you’re going on vacation, you may find yourself using public wifi. Unfortunately, this comes with some security risks. However, using a VPN protects your data from hackers and snoopers alike. This is done with encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and more.
- Privacy: There are a number of things a VPN can do to protect your privacy. One of the biggest is to have a no-logs policy. That’s why we’ve assessed 140 VPN logging policies to find the very best. It also helps if a VPN allows you to pay anonymously in cryptocurrency.
- Ease of use: It doesn’t hurt if a VPN provides apps that are easy to use for beginners! Indeed, the very best VPNs allow you to connect to a server with a single click. There should also be a live chat and email support as well as resources including setup guides.
- Value for money: Some VPNs offer very few features yet charge a similar price to the VPNs covered in this post. We believe we’ve found VPNs that are fairly priced for what they offer. Better still, our discount coupons can help you save even more on the price of a subscription.
The above is just part of our full VPN testing methodology. By testing each and every aspect of a VPN for ourselves, we can develop an in-depth understanding of it. This is how we provide you with information that is not only accurate, but up-to-date.
How to get an American IP Address FAQ
Can I get an IP address from a specific US city?
Many VPNs allow you to choose not just the country that your chosen city is in, but also the city. This makes sense: the US is a huge country, so there could be a significant difference in speeds between servers on the East and West coasts. Most providers offer servers in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, at the very least.
Is getting an IP address from US legal?
Of course -- there’s no legal requirement to use the IP address that your Internet Service Provider gives you. That said, you could run into problems if you use a VPN with the intent of committing crimes online. As long as you’re not planning on downloading copyrighted content, harassing anyone, or accessing illegal material, you should be fine.
How do I set up a VPN on my home network?
Unfortunately, there’s no one size fits all guide. This is because there are several competing manufacturers, each with its own firmware, which all have slightly different processes for installing a VPN. If your VPN supports routers (and not all do) you should be able to find manual installation instructions on its website. Alternatively, you can ask customer support for help; they deal with questions like this every day and will have you up and running in no time.
Can an American proxy hide my IP address?
An American proxy server will hide your IP address, but they don’t really hold up to VPNs when it comes to security or privacy. For instance, even if your proxy server is encrypted, it’ll still only secure traffic from your browser. In contrast, a VPN will protect data from any app on your device.
Additionally, when you use a reputable VPN provider, you know exactly what personal information is recorded and who has access to it. However, proxy servers, particularly free ones, come with no such guarantees.
Can I access online banking in American with a VPN?
Although VPNs are primarily used to enhance your digital privacy, many banks still don’t allow you to access their online banking services while connected. The main reason for this is to help prevent fraud (for instance, by recording foreign login attempts). Unfortunately, if you’re traveling, this means that you may be forced to access your online banking service over a public wifi connection, which are notoriously insecure.
Here’s the thing: it’s just not possible to detect every VPN. The Chinese government has been trying for years, and still hasn’t succeeded, so banks just don’t stand a chance. Even if a service is blocked, most major providers will find a workaround in days (or sometimes hours), making it a constant game of cat and mouse. In other words, if your current VPN doesn’t work with your bank, you can just try a different one.
How do I determine the physical location of an IP address in the US?
You can’t determine the exact physical location of an IP address. Tracking an IP address will only show the approximate server location. Regardless, by using a VPN to get an IP address in the US, you can hide your IP address and have improved privacy protection. Internet traffic is encrypted while you also share the same US IP address as other users on the same server. All user activity is mixed up as a result, allowing you to browse anonymously.
Will an IP address from the US hide my internet activity from my ISP?
ISPs in the US can see what you’re doing online. This includes the websites you visit and how long you spend on them. You can hide your internet activity from your ISP by using a VPN. This encrypts your internet traffic so your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online. Furthermore, any reputable VPN should have a strict no-logs policy. This means that even if data were requested, there shouldn’t be anything to share.
Can I use a US IP address to watch American Netflix?
Yes. Anybody outside of the US traveling or on vacation can regain access to the US Netflix catalog by connecting to an IP address in America. However, it is important to remember that very few VPNs nowadays work to access Netflix from abroad. This means that you must pick a VPN service carefully.
Netflix works hard to block VPNs to prevent consumers from being able to access foreign catalogs. It does this to comply with the licensing agreements it has entered with copyright holders and content producers. The good news is that there are still some market-leading services that know how to stay one step ahead of the Netflix VPN blocks.
Do I need a static US IP address?
This depends on what you intend to do online, and why you need a VPN. A static IP can be useful if you want to appear to be accessing a service from the same IP each time. This is useful if you play on poker sites, for example, that do not permit VPN use. By connecting with a static IP, you appear to be a regular subscriber who is connecting from a regular home IP.
The vast majority of VPNs provide shared, dynamic IPs that change over time. This can make it hard to get a static IP address. Most VPNs have multiple IPs in each location where they have a server. When you connect to a particular server location, they assign you an IP at random to help combat server congestion. This ensures that each IP is not overloaded, to improve speeds for its users.
As a result, users who require the same IP address each time must find a VPN that provides a dedicated IP. A dedicated IP is an IP address that is rented by a VPN subscriber for their use only. This is a disadvantage for privacy, because it means that it is easier to trace back VPN use to the individual who paid for the dedicated IP.
The advantage of a dedicated IP is that the IP address will remain the same each time you use it. This allows you to host game servers, websites, and other resources via that personal IP address. It also means that you can host publicly accessible resources without needing to reveal your real IP address. To find out more about dedicated static IPs and changing your IP address, check out our guides.
Will changing to a US IP address slow my internet connection?
Changing to a US IP address can slow your internet connection if you use a slow VPN. However, the fastest VPNs may not have a negative impact on your connection, despite the fact that internet traffic is routed to their server before going to the website or service in question. In fact, some VPNs may actually improve your internet connection, particularly if you're suffering bandwidth throttling from your ISP. That's because the best VPNs for getting a US IP address provide unlimited bandwidth.
Will a free VPN give me a US IP address?
Free VPNs can seem like an easy way to get a US IP address but scratch a little below the surface and problems quickly become apparent. To begin with, these services usually have far more users than their networks can support. This leads to extremely slow speeds, which isn't ideal for any data-intensive task such as streaming or torrenting. Additionally, free providers often have low monthly bandwidth caps, making them unreliable options for regular usage.
They aren't much better from a security perspective either. We've seen free VPNs mislead users about the kind of logs they keep, overstate how secure they actually are, and (in one case) sell the users' bandwidth out from under them. Given that VPNs are supposed to enhance your privacy, we strongly suggest staying away from free providers, and instead choosing a service with a both a no-logs policy and a good reputation.
How can I check what my IP address is?
Check your IP address is straightforward by visiting a website that displays IP addresses, such as WhatIsMyIP.com. To find your IP address, simply look for the section of the page that says "Your IP Address is." You'll find your IP address listed next to this heading.
What type of content can I unblock with a US IP address?
With a US IP address, you can unblock streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu and US-specific content on YouTube, ABC Network, CBS All Access, and many other websites. You'll also be able to access all the great US-only apps in the App Store or Google Play Store. In addition, by having a US IP address, you won't have to worry about being blocked from accessing your favorite American content. Plus, if you're traveling outside the country and want to access American content without being geo-restricted, using a VPN with a US IP address is a great way to do it.
A VPN connection will encrypt your internet traffic and assign you an American IP address so that websites think you're accessing them from the US. This way, you can access all your favorite American websites, content, and apps while traveling abroad. So if you're interested in unblocking American-only content with a US IP address, a VPN is an ideal solution.
Can I get a US IP without a VPN?
Yes, it’s possible to change your IP address and get a US IP address by connecting to a proxy server. However, there is one main difference between a proxy and a VPN. In particular, only a VPN encrypts all of your internet traffic from your browser to your apps. While some proxies use encryption, this will only secure browser traffic. So if you’re looking to improve your online security as well as get a US IP address, a VPN is your best bet.
Can I use a US IP to access American streaming services?
With a VPN, you can certainly use a US IP address to access your favorite American streaming services. However, it's important to know that not all of them work. Stick with the VPNs listed in this post and you should be able to unblock the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. Remember, you may need to clear your cookies for the change in your IP address to take effect. Don't be afraid to try more than one server either!
Can you mask your IP address without a VPN?
Yes, you can mask your IP address without a VPN. There are two standard methods: using the Tor browser or a proxy server.
The Tor browser is an open-source privacy browser that encrypts and sends your web traffic through several layers of relays, effectively hiding your IP address from the websites you visit.
A second option for masking an IP address without a VPN is using a proxy server. A proxy server acts as an intermediary between clients and servers by forwarding client requests to servers, ensuring anonymity when browsing online.
The only major downside here lies in speeds since proxies tend slow down connection speeds considerably and will not secure your device or information.
Can you change to a US IP address on a mobile phone?
Yes, it is possible to change your IP address on a mobile phone to a US one by using a VPN. This encrypted connection allows you to appear as if you're located somewhere other than where you are.
By connecting via a VPN from anywhere in the world and choosing an IP address based in America, all web traffic originates from inside US borders, regardless of which country or region users are physically present in when using their mobile phones.
How do I stop my US IP address from leaking?
To stop your US IP address from leaking, you can follow these steps:
- Use a VPN with built-in IP leak protection: Choose a reliable VPN service that offers IP leak protection, such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
- Disable IPv6 manually on your system: Disabling IPv6 can help prevent IP leaks. You can find instructions on how to disable IPv6 here.
- Test your VPN for leaks: Regularly test your VPN for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks using websites like ipleak.net or dnsleaktest.com. If your VPN leaks, consider switching to a more reliable VPN service.
- Disable WebRTC in your browser: WebRTC can cause IP leaks, so disabling it in your browser settings or installing a WebRTC block plugin can help prevent leaks.
Following these steps, you can effectively prevent your US IP address from leaking and maintain your online privacy and security.