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An IP is a unique identifier assigned to every device connected to the internet. It is used to identify and communicate between different devices. There are two main types of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6. Understanding what your IP is can help in troubleshooting internet connection issues and improving security. Checking it is simple and can be done in various ways, both on computers and mobile devices. It is also important to note that an IP address can be linked to details about location and browsing history, and every visited website leaves a trace.
My IP is a unique number assigned to all devices that connect to the Internet. Every device, such as a computer, phone, tablet, or server, receives its own digital identifier, allowing it to be recognized. Without this identifier, communication between devices would not be possible, as the network wouldn’t know which device to connect to.
An IP address allows two devices—the sender and the receiver of internet communication—to locate and exchange information with each other. Without a valid IP address, establishing a connection would not be possible, preventing activities such as browsing websites, receiving emails, or using other network services.
An IP address is a 32-bit number (IPv4) or a 128-bit number (IPv6) that identifies a specific computer, server, or other device. The IPv4 protocol, used since the early days of the Internet, has a limited number of possible addresses (approximately 4.3 billion), which became an issue due to the growing number of devices. This led to the introduction of IPv6, which offers a significantly larger address space, allowing for the connection of an unlimited number of devices in the future.
An IP address changes each time a computer or server connects to the network. This change primarily applies to dynamic addresses, which are assigned by the internet provider each time a device connects to the network. In practice, this means that every time you turn off and on your router or change your network connection, your IP address may change. This mechanism is common in home networks.
Let's take a closer look at the different types of IP addresses and learn how these differences can affect your daily internet usage!
This is a unique number assigned to your connection by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). It is visible on the global network, meaning other devices on the Internet recognize it as the identifier for your device. Without it, your device would not be able to communicate with the rest of the world via the Internet. It is visible to websites you visit and provides information about your location and the provider you are using.Each IP is linked to a specific hostname, which allows the identification of a domain or device. Using address-tracking tools, it's easy to see where a given address is registered on the world map. This is helpful when you want to know where network traffic is originating from.
The hostname, along with the IP address, creates a unique identity for your device on the network.
Public IP Address – The Key to Online Communication
It is used for communication between your device and servers, websites, and online services. With its help, servers know where to send information. Without a public IP address, your device would not be able to receive responses, making it impossible to use the Internet.
How Does an Internet Provider Assign a Public IP?
It is automatically assigned by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) when connecting to the Internet. Depending on the type of connection, this address can be assigned dynamically (changing with each connection) or statically (remaining constant). In home networks, dynamic addresses are most common, but businesses and individuals needing consistent access to network resources often use static addresses. A public IP address is globally unique, meaning it cannot be assigned to two different devices simultaneously. This ensures that every internet user has their own individual address, allowing for efficient data exchange. The uniqueness of the IP address prevents communication conflicts, enabling seamless information transmission.
Public IP Address and Your Location – What Can Be Learned About You?
Although it does not reveal your street name or house number, it can provide information about the user's geographical location. Based on an IP address, it is possible to determine the country, city, and sometimes even the neighborhood from which you are connecting to the Internet. This data allows websites to tailor content to your location, such as automatically displaying the page in the appropriate language or providing local search results, including personalized ads. However, for this reason, a public IP can also be used by some companies or individuals to track your every move, making it worth considering privacy protection tools.
In turn, private IPs are used within your local network – Wi-Fi or Ethernet – and allow communication between devices such as a computer, phone, or printer without needing to go outside the local network. They function exclusively within the local infrastructure, meaning they are not visible externally on the global Internet. This enables communication between devices within a home, office, etc. For example, a computer can seamlessly send files to a printer, and a TV can connect to a media server.
Assigning Private IP Addresses – The Role of the Router and DHCP Server
A private IP address is automatically assigned by a local network node or a DHCP server (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), which manages addressing within the internal infrastructure. The router acts as a controller, deciding which addresses are assigned to specific devices upon connection. This process occurs dynamically, and addresses are allocated as needed, eliminating the need for users to manually configure an IP address for each device.
Private IP Addresses – Global Reusability and Address Space Efficiency
Unlike public IP addresses, private IPs do not need to be globally unique. The same addresses can be reused in different local networks around the world because they are not visible outside the private network. Standard private IP address ranges (e.g., 192.168.0.0–192.168.255.255) are specifically reserved for local networks and can be assigned to any device, as long as the addresses within the same network are unique. This approach conserves global address space and enables efficient management of private networks.
If you're wondering what "My IP" looks like, we have good news. Finding your IP address is not difficult. To find your public IP address, simply scroll to the top of the page, where you'll find detailed information about your connection. Here, you will see your current IP address, the location from which you are connecting, the name of your internet service provider, and whether your traffic is secure. If you prefer using dedicated tools, you can also check your IP address on the cyber_Folks website, providing convenient access to information about your connection.
There are two versions of the Internet Protocol: IPv4 and IPv6, which primarily differ in their addressing method and the number of available addresses. IPv4 is the older version, introduced during the early development of the Internet, while IPv6 was created to meet the growing demand for IP addresses.
The main difference between IPv4 and IPv6 is the number of possible addresses.
IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, providing approximately 4.3 billion possible unique addresses. Over time, this number proved insufficient due to the rapid increase in the number of connected devices. In response to this issue, IPv6 was developed.
IPv6 uses 128 bits, providing 3.4 x 10^38 possible addresses.
Unlike IPv4, IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, meaning the address space in IPv6 is virtually unlimited. Specifically, it offers approximately 340 undecillion (3.4 x 10^38) possible IP addresses, ensuring there will be no shortage of addresses for future devices.
Each group consists of four hexadecimal digits separated by colons.
IPv6 addresses are represented in hexadecimal, which means they can include letters from A to F in addition to the digits 0 to 9. For example, a sample IPv6 address might look like this: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. This is significantly different from IPv4 addresses, which are simple 32-bit numbers divided into four parts, such as 192.168.0.1.
IPv6 addresses are composed of 8 blocks of numbers.
An IPv6 address is written as eight groups of numbers, with each group containing four digits.
Your IP address can reveal a lot of information about you, which is why it’s important to protect it. Although it doesn’t disclose your exact home address, it can identify your approximate location, including the country, region, postal code, and even city. Based on your IP address, internet service providers (ISPs) can track your online activity. Websites can also use this information to display location-based ads or tailor content to your region. Your ISP, such as Groningen Internet Service Provider, assigns you a unique public address, which can either be dynamic (changing with each connection) or static (remaining the same).
Additionally, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has access to even more detailed information. The ISP can see not only your activity on every website but also store your browsing history, the time spent online, and other data about your connection. In some cases, providers are required to share this information with government agencies or other institutions, which can pose a threat to user privacy. The metadata collected in this way can be used to create a precise profile of an individual.
The best way to protect your IP address is by hiding it. This makes it harder for others to access your location data and activity. This is important if you want to enhance your privacy, protect yourself from potential cyberattacks, or avoid advertising tracking.
To hide your IP address, you will need a VPN service (Virtual Private Network). It creates a secure connection between your device and the VPN server, through which all your internet traffic is routed. As a result, your real IP address is hidden, and the servers you connect to see only the IP address of the VPN server. This makes your activities harder to track and enhances your privacy. In this way, your browser and the websites you visit will see a different address instead of your real one. Additionally, VPN services encrypt your internet traffic, increasing security, especially when using public Wi-Fi hotspots.
You can protect your IP address and maintain the privacy of your location and online activity using a VPN. This is one of the most effective tools to secure your data by hiding your real IP address. As a result, your identity and location become harder to track by external entities such as websites, advertisers, or hackers.
This means that all the data you send and receive is protected with special encryption. Even your Internet Service Provider (ISP) cannot see what you do online, which websites you visit, or what services you use. Such an encrypted tunnel also protects you from attempts to intercept your traffic, which is especially important when using Wi-Fi in cafes, hotels, or airports.
This allows you to change your public IP address to the address of the server you connect to. As a result, your real IP address is hidden, and others see only the server's address. Additionally, you can choose a server located anywhere in the world, making it appear as if your location is, for example, in a different country. This is an excellent solution if you want to access geo-restricted content or simply increase your anonymity online.
Proxy servers and other tools also help secure the network against unwanted intruders and ensure user privacy. They effectively hide your location and online activity, increasing security while browsing websites and protecting against tracking.
Knowing whether you are using an Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection allows you to optimize your network settings and improve internet performance. Google Cloud tools enable you to quickly and easily identify the type of connection you are using.
All these elements – from IP address, through network connections, to Ethernet networks – influence how you use the internet, which websites you visit, and how you protect your location and data. Therefore, it’s worth understanding how the IP addressing system works to better manage your online activity. Since an IP address can be linked to a lot of information, it’s important to know how to protect it.
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