Foreword

In today’s digital environment, the need to hide one’s IP address is growing, driven primarily by the desire to protect personal privacy, enhance online security, and bypass regional restrictions. Whether it’s to evade government surveillance, avoid tracking by websites and advertisers, or access restricted content, IP-hiding technologies have become an essential tool for many advanced users.

For instance, iOS users with a paid iCloud plan (starting from NT$30/month) can use iCloud Private Relay, which hides their real IP address, but this feature only applies to web browsing in Safari.

This article will discuss several common methods for hiding an IP address. A future article will explore how to unlock Netflix content from different countries.

Benefits of Hiding Your IP Address

Preventing ISP Monitoring and Activity Logging

When you go online, nearly all your traffic passes through your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Both ISPs and network administrators can, to some extent, track your browsing behavior, including the websites you visit, the duration of your visits, and your search history.

Using a proxy server or a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can change this. Your traffic is first relayed through the proxy or VPN server. Your ISP can primarily only see the connection to that intermediate server, not the actual websites you visit or the content you access. However, the traffic remains visible to the intermediate server, which means you are essentially transferring your trust from your ISP to the proxy or VPN provider.

When evaluating a VPN or proxy service, you should prioritize the following:

1. No-Logs Policy: A commitment not to record or store your browsing activity.
2. Independent Third-Party Audits: Verification by an external security firm that its privacy policies are being implemented.
3. Jurisdiction: Being based in a country or region with privacy-friendly laws and no mandatory data retention policies.

Adhering to these standards can significantly enhance your online privacy protection.

Reducing the Risk of IP-Based Tracking

Hiding your IP address prevents destination websites from creating a log of your behavior based on your IP, reducing targeted advertising and content interference based on your browsing habits.

However, modern tracking methods extend far beyond IP addresses. Companies can use browser fingerprinting to collect information such as your language settings, screen resolution, fonts, and hardware specifications to create a unique user identifier. Even if you hide your IP address, websites may still be able to identify you uniquely and track your behavior across different sites.

Enhancing Security on Public Networks

On public Wi-Fi networks in places like coffee shops, airports, or hotels, even though most websites now use HTTPS, its encryption is limited to the application layer content. Your IP address and connection destination information can still be intercepted or analyzed if you are not using concealment technology. Furthermore, public networks are susceptible to multiple threats, including Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks, DNS hijacking, and certificate spoofing. At the same time, some applications and background services may still transmit data through unencrypted channels, further increasing security risks.

Some websites that do not use HTTPS are still quite common within corporate or organizational intranets. If these connections are made over a public network, they become particularly vulnerable to attack.

Bypassing Geographic or Content Restrictions

By using a Proxy or VPN to connect to an overseas server, you can bypass geographic restrictions and access websites and streaming services that are limited to specific regions. For example, by connecting to a VPN server in the United States, you can watch content on Netflix, Hulu, or Paramount+ that is only available there. Switching to a server in Japan allows you to access Japan-exclusive series and other unique content not available on the Taiwanese Netflix library.

Core Differences: Proxy, VPN, and Encrypted Proxies

System Proxy (Voluntary): Applications can choose to ignore this system-wide setting and connect directly to the internet. Many games, low-level system services, or specific software do not adhere to the system proxy configuration.

TUN Mode (Mandatory): TUN (Tunnel) mode works by creating a virtual network interface card (NIC) to intercept all traffic packets at the operating system’s network layer (Layer 3). Regardless of whether an application supports proxies, its network data is typically forced through this virtual NIC for processing. This packet-level interception is far more thorough than application-layer proxying.

How to Hide Your IP Address or Bypass Geo-Restrictions?

Obtaining a China IP Address (Paid)

The most direct method is to purchase a “Return-to-China VPN.” For example, the Chinese app 全民K歌 (WeSing) blocks overseas users, rendering many of its features unusable. Common services like Transocks (穿梭) and KuaiFan VPN (快帆) offer one-click switching to a Chinese IP address. The focus of these services is on “functionality” rather than privacy or anonymity.

Even with a paid subscription, users may experience slow speeds, high latency, or network congestion during peak hours. To improve the user experience, some VPNs use a split-tunneling mode: only traffic to specific Chinese domains (for streaming, gaming, music, etc.) is routed through the VPN, while all other traffic uses the regular internet connection.

Obtaining an Overseas IP Address (Paid)

Major international VPN providers (such as NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN) focus on cross-border internet access and privacy protection. Many of these services have transitioned to the WireGuard protocol, which is more lightweight and efficient than traditional protocols like IPsec and OpenVPN, offering lower latency, faster speeds, and robust encryption and split-tunneling features.

Potential concerns primarily include:

1. Privacy Commitment: Whether they truly adhere to a no-logs policy is something users must research and verify for themselves.
2. Environmental Restrictions: In some countries or on certain corporate networks, VPN traffic may be blocked by firewalls or Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), leading to connection failures or extremely poor speeds.

Major brands can handle most everyday geo-unblocking needs, but if you want to ensure access to overseas streaming platforms like Netflix or Hulu, it’s essential to do your research beforehand to confirm that the VPN supports unblocking for the specific regions you need.

Using Obfuscated Proxies (Paid, Free)

When a VPN is blocked or intercepted by DPI, you can opt for a self-hosted proxy. This typically involves renting a Virtual Private Server (VPS) in a foreign country (e.g., Singapore, the US, Japan) and installing proxy software like Shadowsocks, V2Ray, or Trojan. By enabling protocol and traffic obfuscation, the encrypted traffic is disguised to look like standard HTTPS, WebSocket, or other common protocols, reducing the likelihood of being identified and blocked.

Advantages:

• High flexibility; you can choose your own server location and protocol.
• Less reliance on third-party VPN providers, offering greater control over your privacy.
• Can effectively bypass DPI with obfuscation techniques.

Disadvantages:

• Requires knowledge of how to purchase a VPS.
• Requires knowledge of the setup process (though one-click installation scripts are available).
• The VPS IP address may be blacklisted by some streaming media services.

Compared to traditional VPN protocols (like IPSec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard), which often use fixed ports (e.g., UDP 500/4500, 1194, 51820) and have more obvious packet signatures and communication patterns, these proxy protocols are harder to detect. They are more easily identified and blocked by DPI or firewall rules. In contrast, protocols like Trojan and V2Ray mimic standard TLS/HTTPS traffic and incorporate various traffic obfuscation techniques, making their encrypted traffic closely resemble normal web browsing. This enhances their usability and resilience in highly monitored or restricted environments.

Besides self-hosting, you can also find some free nodes online, many of which are based on SS, V2Ray, or Trojan.

Advantages of Free Nodes:

• Zero cost and ready to use.
• Some nodes offer acceptable speeds.

Disadvantages of Free Nodes:

• High latency, resulting in a poor experience for real-time interactions (gaming, video conferencing).
• Poor stability, as free nodes can become unavailable or be blocked at any time.
• Poor compatibility with streaming services, though this can sometimes be mitigated by routing the traffic through Cloudflare WARP to mask the node’s original IP.

Free nodes are not entirely useless, but the experience is highly dependent on “luck” and the “time of day.” They can be a viable temporary option for circumventing censorship or watching videos. However, for a long-term, stable, and secure cross-regional experience, self-hosting a node or choosing a reliable paid service is recommended.

Using Cloudflare WARP (Free)

Cloudflare WARP is a network security and acceleration service provided by Cloudflare, which can be thought of as a modern type of VPN. Its primary goal is to protect the privacy of your network traffic and improve connection speed and stability, rather than providing a selection of servers to bypass geo-restrictions like traditional VPNs.

Core Features:

1. Traffic Encryption: When WARP is enabled, most network requests from your device are encrypted and routed through Cloudflare’s global network. This helps prevent man-in-the-middle attacks and traffic sniffing, especially on public Wi-Fi.
2. Optimized Routing: WARP leverages Cloudflare’s massive global infrastructure to find shorter, more efficient paths for your connection, which can reduce latency and speed up loading times in many cases. However, the actual effect varies depending on your geographic location, local network conditions, and whether the destination website uses Cloudflare’s services; it is not a guaranteed speed increase.

By default, WARP connects you to the nearest Cloudflare data center and hides your real IP address. To the destination website, traffic will appear to be coming from the CLOUDFLARENET network, and your IP address will be changed to a Cloudflare public IP (e.g., 104.28.243.105). Although your real IP is not leaked, the Cloudflare IP will still correspond to your original geographic region, so it cannot be used to bypass regional restrictions on its own. To unlock region-locked content, you must use it in conjunction with a “transit IP address” to forward the traffic.

In practice, some streaming platforms (like Netflix) block IP addresses from data centers or VPS providers. These IPs are classified as non-residential and are often abused for proxy or VPN services, preventing direct access to content. However, if you layer Cloudflare WARP on top of a connection from a Japanese VPS, the final traffic will appear to originate from a “Cloudflare Japan IP address” instead of the VPS’s IP. This effectively bypasses the streaming platform’s block on the VPS IP address.

In addition to WARP, Apple’s iCloud Private Relay also partners with Cloudflare to provide enhanced privacy for iCloud+ subscribers when browsing in Safari. It uses a dual-hop architecture designed to ensure that no single entity can know both the user’s identity and their browsing content; only the user has the complete picture.

In this system, Apple can only see the user’s IP address, while Cloudflare can only see the encrypted traffic and the destination website. This separation not only enhances privacy but also preserves geographic accuracy, allowing users to continue receiving localized services and content.

Conclusion

Whether your goal is to protect personal privacy, strengthen online security, or simply watch TV series from other regions, VPNs and proxies can help you achieve it.

This article discussed several mainstream methods:

1. Paid VPNs Think of these as a “master key.” In most situations, a VPN offers a quick and hassle-free solution to cross-regional access—you are essentially “paying for convenience.” The key is to choose the right provider, especially one that genuinely implements a “no-logs policy,” because you are transferring the trust you would normally place in your ISP to the VPN company. Be aware that some VPNs may be blocked by streaming platforms or corporate network administrators, so larger, reputable providers are generally more reliable. As for the advertisements you see, they often involve slandering competitors or making exaggerated claims, so they have limited value. Real user reviews and experiences are far more trustworthy.

2. Self-Hosted Proxy Nodes This is the option for advanced users. Although it requires renting a VPS and manual configuration, which is more complex, it offers high flexibility and strong concealment. It is particularly suitable for use in environments with strict internet censorship or for users who want complete control over their connection.

3. Cloudflare WARP This is a unique tool. Its main function is to encrypt traffic and optimize connections (though it can sometimes be slower), acting like an extra layer of protection for your network. However, unlike a VPN, it doesn’t let you choose your virtual location. Therefore, if you want to use it to unblock geo-restricted streaming services, you typically need to combine it with other methods.

Ultimately, no single method is perfect. Every tool has its strengths and limitations. The key to choosing the most suitable method is to clearly understand your own needs.

Take Mainland China as an example. Due to strict UDP blocking, Cloudflare WARP is nearly unusable, and iCloud Private Relay is also not viable. A more common approach is to rely on encrypted proxies. However, since most VPS IPs may be blocked, a practical solution often involves routing traffic through a transit server (e.g., in Hong Kong) before connecting to the final VPS for external access.

Future articles will focus on practical, hands-on tutorials to help you understand and apply these methods more intuitively.

References

1. About iCloud Private Relay - Apple Support
2. iCloud Private Relay: information for Cloudflare customers
3. Exposed IP addresses · Cloudflare DNS docs
4. Protect your origin server · Cloudflare Fundamentals docs
5. SOCKS · Project V Official
6. Shadowsocks · Project V Official
7. VMess · Project V Official
8. Why WireGuard?
9. Is Shadowsocks a Proxy? Understanding Its True Role
10. WARP architecture · Cloudflare Zero Trust docs
11. About Cloudflare WARP · Cloudflare Zero Trust docs
12. 1.1.1.1 + WARP: More features, still private