The IP address, short for internet protocol addressis a unique identifier of a device or computer connected to the Internet or to a network infrastructure.
Read on to learn how IP addresses work, what their types are, and how to find your IP address. This article will also address security threats related to IP addresses and why you need to use a VPN.
What is an IP address?
An IP address is a string of numbers that works similar to a home or email address and ensures that the correct data is sent to the correct computer. In other words, it is a means of communication between devices and computers.
How do IP addresses work?
When you visit a website using a computer or mobile phone, the device needs to find where the website data is located and retrieve it.
First, the computer connects to a network router that is usually provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The router then communicates with the server where the website is stored to access the files that need to be sent to the computer.
Both the computer and the router and the server have specific IP addresses that can be recognized by each other. Therefore, it is through those IP addresses that devices can communicate, retrieve and send data.
Different types of IP addresses
There are two versions of IP: IPv4 and IPv6. Additionally, consumer IP addresses also come in four types: private, public, dynamic, and static.
There are also two classes of website IP addresses: shared and dedicated. Let us now see each of them.
IPv4 vs. IPv6
IPv4 is the abbreviation for the version 4 of the Internet Protocol and it is the most used. It is a 32-bit number system divided into four parts (octets) separated by dots. The value of each octet ranges from 0 to 255. Therefore, there are approximately 4.3 billion unique IPv4 addresses.
This is what an IPv4 looks like:
169.89.131.246
All types of systems handle IPv4 routing without problems. IPv4 supports most thanks to its simple prefixes. In addition, your data is well encrypted to ensure secure communication between networks.
However, the latest version of the Internet protocol is IPv6 and it is intended to replace IPv4. This is because the number of IPv4 variants is running out, especially given the speed with which the internet is expanding.
IPv6 addresses are 128 bits long. This means that there are around 340 undecillion unique IPv6 addresses. They are written as eight sets of 16-bit hexadecimal digits separated by colons. Therefore, you will see letters A through F in an IPv6 address.
This is an example of an IPv6 address:
2001:3FFE:9D38:FE75:A95A:1C48:50DF:6AB8
Routing is more efficient with IPv6, as it allows Internet Service Providers to reduce the size of their routing tables. IPv6 also uses (IPsec), so you don’t have to worry about authentication, confidentiality, and data integrity.
In addition, IPv6 does not have an IP checksum, which allows for more efficient processing of packets, and supports multicasting. As a result, data streams can be sent to multiple destinations simultaneously, saving network bandwidth.
private IP address vs. public IP address
A private IP address is the IP address that you use to communicate within local networks. Therefore, any device that has a Bluetooth function or can connect to a network has private IP addresses. It only works within a local area network (LAN) and not on the Internet. Therefore, its use is free.
On the other hand, public IP addresses are the ones used to communicate outside local networks and connect to the Internet. This type of IP address is not free because it is assigned and controlled by Internet service providers.
dynamic IP address vs. Static IP address
There are two types of public IP addresses: dynamic and static. Dynamic IP addresses are the ones that an Internet Service Provider gives to its customers.
They change each time a new device is added to the network, when network settings change, or when the device is rebooted. Therefore, your home IP address does not stay the same.
Dynamic IP addresses are commonly used for security reasons. Due to regular changes, they make it difficult for hackers to access the network interface.
Instead, static IP addresses are considered fixed IP addresses. Therefore, they remain the same unless the network administration changes.
Most web page end users do not need to have static IP addresses. However, it is necessary for devices that require constant access or if you frequently connect to private networks.
For example, a shared printer must have a static IP address so that people in the office can easily connect to it.
Also, hosting companies need static IP addresses because their customers require constant access to their web and email servers. This makes it easier for requests to reach the correct IP address through (DNS).
Shared IP address vs. dedicated IP address
If you want to get web hosting and create a website, keep in mind that there are two types of IP addresses.
A shared IP address is an IP address that is shared among multiple . This applies to those who share the hardware and network resources of a server with others. However, please note that it is not limited to shared hosting users.
Since you’re not the only one sending data via IP address, it’s easier to keep traffic and volume consistent. It also helps maintain the reputation of the IP address with receiving ISPs. Another advantage of a shared IP address is that it is relatively cheap.
On the other hand, a dedicated IP address means that the domain is assigned to an IP address that is not shared with other website owners. The advantage is that it is easier.
You can also access your website only by IP address instead of just your domain name. In addition, you have the freedom to manage your own (FTP) server.
IP Address Assignment
Private IP addresses are assigned to devices by a router through (DHCP). Or, they can be set manually once the devices can communicate with each other through the router.
A public IP address is assigned to a device by an Internet service provider. Internet activity goes through the ISP and is routed back to the device using the public IP address.
In a local network, dynamic IP addresses are usually assigned by a network router. On networks that connect to the Internet, ISPs assign dynamic IP addresses to their customers’ computers.
If you don’t want the router to assign different IP addresses every time you connect to the local network, it’s best to configure static IP addresses on your devices. This can be done through the network settings of the operating system or the configuration page of the router.
How to check my IP address?
There are several ways to find the IP address of your devices. However, to check the private IP address of a device, the steps may vary depending on the platform you are using.
MacOS:
- Accede to System preferences and click Net.
- Select the network, for example, Ethernetand you will find the IP address of the computer in the network details.
Windows 10:
- Open the Symbol of the system writing cmd in the Windows search bar.
- Write ipconfig and press Enter.
- Scroll down until you find the IPv4 address.
To find out the public address of your device, simply search for «What is my IP address” in Google. The search results page will immediately display your public IP address.
Most common security threats of IP addresses
It is crucial to protect your IP address and not share it with anyone. If a hacker or cyber criminal gets hold of it, they can use the IP address for various cyber attacks. Although an IP address does not display sensitive information, it can be used to:
Track your location and activity
IP addresses show approximate geolocation, so a malicious person can identify which city, region, or street you are in by the IP address. This can lead to harassment, teasing, or worse, theft.
In addition, hackers can see your activity on the Internet. This can include tracking your social media profiles, online purchases, payments, and even credit card information. Furthermore, they may be able to sell that data or even steal your identity.
hack your device
Devices connect to the Internet through IP addresses and ports. If a hacker knows your IP address, he can force connections through the ports to take over your computer.
Once a hacker gets into your device, they can install malware to access and edit your files. As a result, your passwords, social media accounts, and financial details may be at risk. In addition, they could steal personal photos or videos and use them to blackmail.
Incriminate you in a crime or use your resources
If cybercriminals get to know your IP address, they can use it to perform illegal activities and frame you in the process.
For example, they could download or upload illegal and sensitive content using your IP address, which could violate the ISP’s terms and conditions. Therefore, you could experience a denial of service or even get into trouble with the authorities.
Should you use a VPN?
VPN gives you a more secure online experience by hiding your real IP address by redirecting data traffic through an encrypted tunnel. Therefore, to avoid encountering any of the above threats, a VPN is a very useful tool.
However, remember that a VPN is not a complete security solution, as the company may be the one filtering the IP addresses. Therefore, make sure you choose a reliable provider and check the level of encryption they use.
These are other situations in which it may be necessary to use a VPN:
Blocked websites and services
Some countries may block access to certain websites, social media platforms and streaming services. In addition, there may also be geographical restrictions. Thus, some content is only available in certain regions due to licensing, copyright or moral issues.
Therefore, if you live or travel in countries where there are Internet restrictions, you may need to use a VPN to access…
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