Why would anyone ever search for the term “hide IP address“? Although it may conjure up an image of a geek in a bedroom, not wanting his activities recorded, there are a lot of main stream applications for this activity.
First of all though, a little background about your IP address. If we use a mobile phone as an analogy, then things may become a little clearer, if you are not used to thinking about identity security on a PC… When you call someone, on most cellular networks, the person can see which number is calling them, and if they have your number in their phone book, your name as well. IP addresses work in a similar way… Whenever your modem (be it a USB ADSL modem, a full blown network router and modem, or even just a 56k dial up modem) connects to the internet, your Internet Service Provider assigns your modem an IP address. This way, when you request data from a server, the server knows where to send the information. Even if your IP address is dynamically assigned (that is to say each time you connect to the internet, you receive a different IP address), the ISP will still have records of which customer, calling from which phone line, is using that IP address, at any given time.
Using this data, and both their & the website you are visiting server’s logs, it is possible to build up an image of your browsing habits. For anyone who does not like the idea of having their habits used/abused for whatever purpose (especially for those who live in a country where the regime is quite constrictive re. what information you are allowed to gain, and disseminate any further), an ideal solution would be to mask your IP address. Rather than the web sites server having your IP address, if you relay your requests through a couple of other servers, your own IP address is not recorded by the web site. http://www.hide-my-ip-address.com/ off this sort of service, ensuring that your internet address is not associated with the sites and services you use. So, if you are interested, check the site out, and feel free to leave a comment if you require clarification on any point raised here.

Just read a BBC article detailing how Ehud Olmert has told all ministers they must hand in mobile phones and other communication devices before attending cabinet meetings. They will of course have them returned after the meeting. Interesting that the problems with leaks to the press have become so bad that this step was necessary. I’ll be interested to read what other measures he will be taking to curb leaks of sensitive information.
The last place I worked at in Britain (EDS at RAF Innsworth) had sensitive areas, where phones had to be turned off, but this was rarely enforced TBH. They also seemed to employ signal blocking equipment in some areas, though that could have just been the cellular networks poor coverage