How to Change The IP Address on Ubuntu

The Internet is an integral part of our lives, but it is also a vulnerable domain where people can gain unauthorized access to your device. One way to secure your device is by changing your IP address; however, not everyone knows how to do that, especially on Ubuntu. Fortunately, we are here to help. In this blog post, we will discuss the methods to change the IP address on Ubuntu in detail.

Video Tutorial:

Why You Need to Change The IP Address on Ubuntu:

There could be several reasons why you need to change the IP address on your Ubuntu device. One of the primary causes is that you may want to keep your internet activity private. When your internet service provider (ISP) assigns you an IP address, they can track your activities on the internet. By changing your IP address, you can avoid being tracked. Another reason could be that you may want to view content that is restricted in your country or region. In such a scenario, you can change your IP address to a server location where that content is available.

Method 1: Using Network Manager:

Changing the IP address on Ubuntu is easy, and the best way to do that is by using the Network Manager. Network Manager is a program in the Ubuntu operating system that can help you manage your network connections. Here are the steps to change the IP address on Ubuntu using Network Manager.

Step 1: Go to the top right corner of your desktop and click on the network icon.

Step 2: Select the Wired or Wireless network you want to modify and click on the Options tab.

Step 3: In the IPv4 settings, select Manual and click on Add.

Step 4: Enter the IP address, Subnet Mask, Gateway, and DNS servers provided by your network administrator.

Step 5: Click on Save and then close the window.

Step 6: Restart your network connection, and your IP address will be changed.

Pros:

– Easy to use.
– Network Manager is an inbuilt program available in Ubuntu.
– You can change the IP address of multiple networks simultaneously.

Cons:

– If you select the wrong settings, your internet connection may not work correctly.
– Some fields require technical expertise to fill in correctly.

Method 2: Using Terminal:

Another way to change the IP address on Ubuntu is by using the terminal. You can use the terminal if you are comfortable using commands. Here are the steps to change the IP address on Ubuntu using the terminal.

Step 1: Open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.

Step 2: Enter the command `sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces` to open the interfaces configuration file.

Step 3: Locate the network interface you want to modify and replace `dhcp` with `static`.

Step 4: Enter your new IP address, Netmask, Gateway, and DNS servers.

Step 5: Save the file by pressing Ctrl + X, then Y, and then Enter.

Step 6: Restart your network connection, and your IP address will be changed.

Pros:

– Helpful for people comfortable using commands.
– You don’t have to install any additional software.

Cons:

– One wrong command can have devastating consequences.
– It requires technical expertise to understand the commands.

Method 3: Using GUI Tools:

There is various GUI tool available in Ubuntu, such as GNOME Network Manager, Wicd, and Network-Manager Applet. These tools are user-friendly and can be helpful if you are not familiar with the command-line interface. Here are the steps to change the IP address on Ubuntu using GNOME Network Manager.

Step 1: Go to the top right corner of your desktop and click on the network icon.

Step 2: Select the Wired or Wireless network you want to modify and click on the Options tab.

Step 3: In the IPv4 settings, select Manual and click on Add.

Step 4: Enter the required IP address, Subnet Mask, Gateway, and DNS servers.

Step 5: Click on Save and then close the window.

Step 6: Restart your network connection, and your IP address will be changed.

Pros:

– User-friendly interface.
– You don’t need technical expertise to operate.

Cons:

– Limited settings available.

What to Do If You Can’t Change The IP Address on Ubuntu:

If you are facing difficulty while changing your IP address on Ubuntu, we suggest checking the following things.

– Check if your network connection is active.
– Make sure that you have entered the correct IP address, Gateway, and DNS servers.
– Try using another method to change the IP address.

Bonus Tip:

If you want to change your IP address frequently, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service. VPN services replace your IP address with one of their server locations. By doing this, you can access any content that is restricted for your region. There are many VPN services available, such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, CyberGhost, and many more.

5 FAQs:

Q1: What is an IP address?

A: An IP address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.

Q2: Why do I need to change my IP address on Ubuntu?

A: One reason to change your IP address on Ubuntu is to keep your internet activity private. Another reason could be that you may want to view content that is restricted in your country or region.

Q3: Can I use a VPN service to change my IP address on Ubuntu?

A: Yes, you can use a VPN service to change your IP address on Ubuntu.

Q4: Can I use the same method to change the IP address on Ubuntu 20.04 and 18.04?

A: Yes, the steps to change the IP address on Ubuntu 20.04 and 18.04 are the same.

Q5: Is it legal to change the IP address on Ubuntu?

A: Yes, it is legal to change the IP address on your Ubuntu device.

Final Thoughts:

Changing the IP address on Ubuntu is not as complicated as some may think. By following the various methods mentioned in this blog post, you can easily change your IP address and access restricted content. We hope this article has been helpful in providing you with the information you need to change your IP address on Ubuntu.