Changing Your IP Address Made Easy
There are a variety of methods of changing your IP address. The methods you select will vary since some do not be suitable for all. We're going to show you the various methods you can use to get results with the command prompt on Windows systems with Windows 2000/XP, XP, 2003, and Vista.
What is the reason it might not be Possible to Change Your IP Address?
It's likely that the Internet Service Provider (ISP) is assigning you a static IP address. This isn't common, however, it could happen due to many reasons, including particular internet services or corporate accounts set up through one of the ISPs.
It could occur when your ISP has set a lengthy lease on your IP Address, and it could appear to be a static IP address. What exactly is "lease time" regarding IP addresses? We'll discuss that in the future with a few ways to deal with this issue.
If you possess a fixed IP address it is not capable of changing it. Understanding the way the IP address was allocated can help.
What is the Lease Time for the IP address?
Lease Time refers to the length of time during which an ISP determines when an IP address will be assigned to an individual. Most of the time it is just an hour, but it could go from a few hours to a full year. Your ISP is in complete control of the duration of your service.
The most efficient way to find out if you're in the middle of an extended lease period is to turn off your router/modem at night as well as any other computers and launch it again in the early morning. If you aren't able to get an updated IP address and you don't have a longer lease and must use an alternative method.
In most cases, the router you use will be assigned an external IP address, not your personal computer. If that is so, the next set of directions is not applicable to you. If, however, your computer is assigned an external IP address You can follow these steps to alter the IP address.
How do you know whether your PC is assigned an outside IP?
Below are some steps you need to follow if your connection is directly to your PC and your computer is connected to the public IP, but is not an IP address from a router.
Windows 2000, XP, and 2003:
1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Enter "cmd" and then click OK (this will open the Command Prompt)
4. Enter "ipconfig/release" and press enter.
5. Click Start Control Panel, then Start, and launch Network Connections
6. Find and Right-click upon the currently active Local Area Connection and choose Properties
7. Click twice on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
8. Click on the Use the IP address below.
9. Make sure to enter a fake IP such as 123.123.123.123
10. Click the tab, and you will see that the Subnet Mask section will populate with the default numbers.
11. Click OK two times
12. Right-click on the Local Area Connection that is active. Local Area Connection again and select Properties
13. Click twice on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
14. Select Obtain an automatic IP
15. Hit OK two times
16. Connect to the internet to see if you've got new IP addresses
For Vista and similar Windows 7
1. Click Start
2. Click All Programs, then expand the Accessories menu.
3. Within the Accessories menu, right-click "Command Prompt" and choose "Run as Administrator"
4. Enter "ipconfig/release" and press enter.
5. Click Start and then Control Panel, and open Network and Sharing Center. Depending on your perspective you might need to select "Network as well as Internet" prior to you can view Network and Sharing Center. Network as well as Sharing Center icon
6. On the task menu to the left, select Manage Network Connections.
7. Locate and right-click on the currently active Local Area Connection and choose Properties (If you are presented with a UAC prompt, click Continue)
8. Just double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
9. Choose Use the following IP address
10. Make sure to enter a fake IP such as 123.123.123.123
11. Hit the tab, and you will see that the Subnet Mask section will populate with the default numbers.
12. Click OK two times
13. Right-click the Active Local Area Connection again and select Properties
14. Click twice on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
15. Choose to obtain the IP address for your computer automatically
16. Click OK two times
17. Check the internet to check whether you've got a new IP address.
If you'd prefer to assign manually the IP Address to your computer, it's possible to do it. If yes, proceed to Step 9 or 10, above based on the operating system you are using and enter an IP address that is similar to the one shown in the window of the command prompt.
For instance:
The Command Prompt Window displays - 74.1.2.3
Change it to 74.1.2.4 - 74.1.2.4
There are a few things to be aware of. If you choose to assign your IP address by hand your ISP stops you from accessing the internet. If the ISP is already assigning the number you selected you don't be able to connect to the internet until you select a number that hasn't been assigned yet. In addition, you'll be required to manually change to change the Subnet, Gateway and DNS Server IP addresses.
Another issue you may have to deal with is the IP address being assigned to your router, not your computer as described in the previous paragraph. In this instance, you'll be required to log into your router's web interface and modify the IP Address. It's similar to the method described earlier, however, you will have to visit your router's manufacturer's website for specific instructions for accessing an interface for your router.
How to use MAC Cloning to change your MAC Address
The MAC addresses are actually physical hardware addresses that are assigned to each device that is part of the network. These addresses are assigned to the device's chip. Because it is a vast network, it stores MAC addresses in order to help make the process more efficient.
The majority of ISPs employ MAC addresses in they assign IP Addresses. This could be a problem when you change your IP address by turning off your router for a time since the ISP will be able to recognize that you have MAC addresses, and will assign the exact IP address you previously had. Obviously, the chip inside the MAC device is able to be altered but this isn't usually wanted.
So, MAC cloning can be accomplished by your router provided that it has the capability or has been "flashed" by a special program. Since the majority of ISPs give their IPs according to the MAC address on your device the DHCP server keeps track of the MAC whenever it allocates an IP. It isn't recommended for you to "flash" the router unless you've had prior experience, as it could permanently harm the router.
Even if you discontinue your connection to the ISP and reconnect every time you try to connect to the internet, the DHCP server will see your MAC and determine whether it has given an IP address before. If it has, and the lease period hasn't expired, it'll provide you with the same IP address. It is based on the ISP and the way they have their DHCP server configured.
To obtain an entirely fresh MAC address, you'll be required to visit the router's manufacturer's website to find out what you can do to change your MAC. It is a good thing that once you have done this, you'll most likely be able to get a new IP.
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