Quick Answers

Does a Proxy Hide My IP Address?

Yes, from the websites you visit, as long as the proxy does not forward your IP and nothing leaks around it. It does not hide your activity from the proxy provider.

By Team of Monkeys Editorial Updated 1 min read Affiliate disclosure

This guide contains affiliate links to Geonode, Webshare and Rayobyte. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Does a Proxy Hide My IP Address illustration: yes, from the websites you visit, as long as the proxy does not forward your IP and nothing leaks around it 3jdej38j4

The short answer

Yes, from the website. The site sees the proxy's IP address instead of yours. But three things can still give you away:

  1. Headers: a transparent proxy may add your real IP in X-Forwarded-For.
  2. Leaks: DNS lookups or WebRTC can go around the proxy.
  3. Logins and cookies: if you sign in, the site knows who you are whatever your IP.

Who can still see your IP

The proxy provider sees your real IP and the sites you visit. Your ISP sees that you are connected to the proxy. Choose a provider you trust, and check your setup on a leak-test page.

The website sees the mask, not the face (animated GIF) 3jdej38j4
The website sees the mask, not the face. GIF via GIPHY

Also known as

Does a proxy change my IP, can a proxy mask my IP, proxy IP hiding.

Learn more

Affiliate disclosure: Team of Monkeys is an affiliate of Geonode, Webshare and Rayobyte. Links and banners marked as sponsored, and links to Geonode, Webshare and Rayobyte in the text, use our referral links, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our explanations and comparisons are written to be useful whichever provider you choose.

Editorial note: Proxy providers change their pools, features and prices often, so treat any figures here as typical ranges at the time of writing and confirm current terms with the provider before you buy.
Keep reading

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