In this time of modern technologies, any website or app you log into can get a general idea of your geographic location. This is not necessarily a bad thing — that’s how the app knows what information to serve us, what language to pick, or what currency to show prices in.
But, as with anything that’s automated, sometimes you simply do not want this. In fact, there are a few reasons why you might want to obfuscate your real location from websites, platforms, and apps:
Circumvent censorship
Maintain online privacy
Get around regional content availability issues
Check if you are getting a good deal on something or if other regions have it better
So, how do you change your location? There are three simple ways:
Use a proxy server
Use a VPN
Use Tor browser
Proxy servers are tempting because they are typically a quick and easy solution. But they are not secure at all, your connection isn’t encrypted, and they are typically quite slow. The one thing they achieve is to change your IP address, so you look like you are connecting to the Internet through a different location.
VPN servers are a much better alternative. Your traffic is encrypted and not even your Internet Service Provider will know what you are doing. Also, premium VPN services like Surfshark offer connection to fast servers, so you don’t sacrifice too much connection speed when going through them.
Then, the Tor browser is a bit of an odd ball. It’s a secure browser and you can change your IP with it, yes. Couple of caveats — it can also be slow. And it will only protect the traffic that’s going through the browser — any other data that goes out from your device, like apps, downloads, and other browser requests will be with your IP.
The quick, easy, effortless, and secure way - use Surfshark
Surfshark VPN has apps for all the platforms you might want to use. So, whether you are on iPhone, Android, Mac, or PC, just download the Surfshark app and let it set your VPN up for you.
From then on, protection is just a button click away. You can enable and disable the VPN at will, or you can keep it always on for maximum security. Surfshark also has a Killswitch option, meaning that if you lose connection to their server, your Internet connection will immediately be dropped, so you don’t reveal your real IP.
Or, use Dynamic Multihop to automatically switch between two different IPs for an added layer of security.
Last chance deals
The Surfshark Black Friday deal is still on-going and you have a chance to grab 2 years of VPN service for $1.99 per month! Added bonus, you get +4 months for free after your two years are up!
You can also upgrade to Surfshark One for $2.49/mo and get real-time warnings for credit card or ID breaches, personal security reports, a private search tool, and antivirus, webcam, and anti-malware protection.
Preslav, a member of the PhoneArena team since 2014, is a mobile technology enthusiast with a penchant for integrating tech into his hobbies and work. Whether it's writing articles on an iPad Pro, recording band rehearsals with multiple phones, or exploring the potential of mobile gaming through services like GeForce Now and Steam Link, Preslav's approach is hands-on and innovative. His balanced perspective allows him to appreciate both Android and iOS ecosystems, focusing on performance, camera quality, and user experience over brand loyalty.
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