Can NordVPN Hide Your Phone’s IMEI in 2024? (2024)

FAQs

Can NordVPN Hide Your Phone’s IMEI in 2024? ›

In 2024, while NordVPN provides robust protection for your online activities by encrypting your internet connection and shielding your IP address, it does not have the capability to hide or alter your phone's IMEI number.

While a VPN masks your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, it does not hide the type of device you are using. Websites can still gather device-specific information (including operating system, screen resolution and browser type) through methods like browser fingerprinting.

A VPN encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address. As a result, it also hides your location, browsing history, searches, downloads, and any other activities, such as gaming or streaming. A VPN hides this information from bad actors, ISPs, websites, and even oppressive governments.

Call up your mobile network provider's customer service line. Inform them that your phone has been lost or stolen and provide them with the IMEI number. They can then proceed to block your phone, ensuring that the device cannot be used on any network with any SIM card.

Yes, it is extremely important that you always keep your IMEI number safe, because it could be used for hacking. One of the most common ways to use IMEI for hacking is known as SIM card cloning. In this process, hackers will create a duplicate version of your smartphone and use it to hack into your original device.

Limitation of VPN Services: VPNs like NordVPN encrypt internet traffic and mask IP addresses. However, they do not have the capability to change or hide hardware identifiers like the IMEI, which are directly communicated between your device and your mobile network provider.

Your identity on social media is tied to the information you've shared about yourself (such as your name, email, or phone number). Using social media while connected to a VPN means you're generally safer online — but a VPN doesn't hide your identity from the social media provider or other users.

No, a VPN does not make you anonymous. In fact, no internet privacy tool can completely hide your online presence. A VPN can encrypt your data, shield your IP address, and even protect you from online trackers, but full anonymity isn't possible.

A VPN gains access to the internet through your ISP (aka your mobile carrier or telecom), which provides you with mobile data. So, when using a VPN, your ISP will still be able to monitor your mobile data usage. This means that a VPN won't help bypass data caps or grant you unlimited mobile data.

A VPN hides the demographic data sent with your internet activity, so you can't be tracked.

Can an IMEI be banned? ›

1> Reported as Stolen or Lost: If a phone is reported stolen or lost to the carrier, they may blacklist its IMEI to prevent it from being used on their network or any other network.

Blocking the IMEI number essentially renders the phone unusable as a communication device. When you decide to block the IMEI number, it gets added to a blacklist shared by carriers. If anyone tries to use the device with a SIM card from any carrier that references this list, the device won't register on the network.

You don't need to know your IMEI number to request blocking, but you may need it to get the handset unblocked. See the advice below. Once lodged, a request to block or unblock an IMEI Number may take up to 24 hours to complete. If your SIM cannot be recovered, you'll need to request a replacement SIM.

"The changed IMEI mobile gets virtually a new identity, making it impossible to detect.

The IMEI number reveals details about a phone without having to physically have it, including the brand and model, year of release, and other specifications. For this reason, your insurance company or new phone provider may want to know your IMEI number to create an insurance policy.

Dialing *#06# on a mobile device prompts the device to display the IMEI number on the screen. It's a standard MMI (Man Machine Interface) code that's implemented on all phones everywhere. It's part of a list of USSD/MMI codes that are standardised internationally.

No, a VPN does not make you anonymous. In fact, no internet privacy tool can completely hide your online presence. A VPN can encrypt your data, shield your IP address, and even protect you from online trackers, but full anonymity isn't possible.

Use a proxy server to hide your IP address

Like a VPN, a proxy server acts as a middleman between your device and the Internet. Websites and apps see the proxy server's IP address rather than your real IP address. In fact, a VPN is technically a type of proxy.

VPNs and Tor both give anonymity by shielding the connected device's true IP address given by their internet service provider through encryption. This means that when the user browses websites or services that track device data, tracking tools are unable to pinpoint their actual IP.

You can't be tracked using a VPN because it encrypts your data. As a result, your ISP or bad actors can't get any information out of your traffic. They only see the VPN server's IP address (e.g. if you're connected to a US server, the US IP address is visible), while your real IP and online activities stay hidden.