[*Samantha*]

You guys are gonna be so happy -- I bought a new laptop a month ago, the HP Pavilion dv5120. It's the greatest thing I've ever had my paws on, believe me. So, no more nagging problems w/ the old laptop anymore.

Here's my question: Is there software that will hide/change/scramble my IP address? It's gotta be safe -- I don't want to infect my baby.

Many thanks, you guys. YOU are the greatest, too!

[WhitPhil]

Why do you want to do that?
And, hide it from whom?

[DoubleHelix]

"Hiding" your IP address does not keep your baby safe. You need firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software, and a good dose of common sense.

[lister]

If it's for Privacy, you could give TOR a try

http://tor.eff.org/

Probably not much use if the CIA are on your case though!

[bearone2]

running behind a router helps but isn't foolproof.

[brendandonhu]

How does a router hide your IP address?

[JohnWill]

Gee Brendan, you beat me to that question.

[brendandonhu]

Sometimes you know what you need to post before you even open the thread

[kombat75]

U are wasting everybody TIME

[*Samantha*]

Well, kombat75! I'm sorry for wasting everyone's time. IF IT'S ANYONE'S BUSINESS, I wanted to read my son's blog. He hasn't spoken to me since he received his Christmas gifts (we live several states apart) via FedEx last December because the New Girlfriend dislikes me. (She has now succeeded in separating him from every single member of his family at this writing.) His counter on his blog reports each and every visiting IP. I would like to be able to peek into my only child's life, and w/out him knowing it so he won't either shut down his blog or change the address. I thought you were the guys to ask as you'd been so very helpful in the past when I had problems w/ spyware, etc. I do indeed have the following: "firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software, and a good dose of common sense," to say the least. My apologies for bothering you people w/ nothing quite as exciting as CIA or DOD business.

[brendandonhu]

This link that lister posted should do what you need: http://tor.eff.org/

[Squashman]

Tor or iPig will work. Basically they are proxy servers that bounce your connection around the internet before it gets to it intended destination. Your Internet Surfing will be slow with this as well.
http://www.iopus.com/ipig/

You could also set yourself up with a CosmoPod account and surf from that connection.
http://www.cosmopod.com/

[chm3]

There is a software called Hide IP, however I think it is a shareware.

[*Samantha*]

I appreciate your help. I'm just sorry I had to air my dirty laundry ... It embarrassed me.

[*Samantha*]

I forgot to mention I have a dial up connection -- and before anyone asks, I'll just tell you: I live seven miles outside a small town, and my ranch is bordered on three sides by a State Forest. Dial up is the only thing that's available, but I'm thankful I'm able to access the internet at all. My question is, do these work w/ dial up? I took a quick glance at iPig and it mentioned wireless.

Many thanks for your help.