IP questions

use a proxy server. There are quite a few out there up and running to be used- but you need one that will cover port forwarding on all the applications you use.

I figure this would work.

However, the proxy service will still know your IP number. There's no way of getting around it.

true but as you said, someone will always receive your IP address otherwise you could never receive packets back. However, this is safer than connecting directly to a raw server.

Can you explain more about proxy servers please? Im a noob to IP's and everything to do with them.

There's no reason to hide your IP address. Get an adequate firewall so people can't hack you and you'll be fine.

May I ask why you're so concerned about other people knowing your IP?

well, in most cases with proxies, you connect your system to them (using TCP or UDP depending on the protocol) and they act as a sort of doorway (as they connect to the system you want to 'talk' to)- you pass packets to the proxy, they forward the packets onto the system described on the packets header. When the system you are passing packets to send packets back, they are received by the proxy which in turn forwards packets to to you. So it is as if you are connected directly, but its actually the proxy server who is connected to the server system.

there are other reasons that people want to hide their IP address- Not least being for almost total privacy.

And there is more to that than just the tin-hat brigade. There are people with serious issues involving privacy and security (WPP anyone) as well as those who fear prosecution because they are involved in something that may lead to recriminations (even if the activities are technically and morally legal).

Somehow, I have the feeling that this is not the case for people here.

Quote:

Somehow, I have the feeling that this is not the case for people here.

yea, i get the same tingling feeling :)
However, the point is that hiding your address is not just for avoiding script kiddies getting into your system

Are you suggesting I would be doing something illegal, and that is why I want my IP address masked? Your sadly mistaken. I was only curious as to what to do it, as I dont want people hacking into my system. Anyway, thank you for the information.

What would a good free firewall be? I have a router with a built in firewall, which sucks for games. Any good free ones?

ZoneAlarm is pretty good.

ZoneAlarm

Oh, i wasn't implying anything specific. I was just pointing out that some people believe in (as close as you can) total privacy on the internet and that hacking is not the only reason for hiding your IP.

Let me guess, you don't have a popup blocker and you got this at some site

lmfao.
Rating++

You might also have a look at Tor if you haven't decided on somehting else already.

LMFAO. I've never seen that ad before. Thats a good one. No, I was playing some games, and stuff, and noticed that my IP was being shown to all the other users. I didnt think that was legal. Guess it is?

Quote:

Original post by darkschool LMFAO. I've never seen that ad before. Thats a good one. No, I was playing some games, and stuff, and noticed that my IP was being shown to all the other users. I didnt think that was legal. Guess it is?

IP networking would be pretty impossible if it wasn't.

Quote:

Original post by darkschool LMFAO. I've never seen that ad before. Thats a good one. No, I was playing some games, and stuff, and noticed that my IP was being shown to all the other users. I didnt think that was legal. Guess it is?

I can't see what's legal or illegal about knowing IP addresses.
Fire up a command prompt and type in ping (website address) and you'll get the IP addresses of the remote server.