What is a public IP address?
A public IP address is a unique identifier assigned to your device when you connect to the internet. It allows other devices to find and communicate with you over the internet. Think of it as your digital address on the global network.
For privacy reasons, you may want to use a VPN to hide your public IP address. When using a VPN, websites and online services will see the VPN's IP address instead of yours.
About IP Address
What is an IP Address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique string of numbers assigned to every device connected to the internet. This allows computers and other devices to recognize and communicate with each other over the internet. IP addresses work similarly to postal addresses - they ensure internet data traffic is routed to the correct destinations.
What is the Difference Between IPv4 and IPv6?
There are two main IP address versions used on the internet:
- IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4): The older and more widely used standard. It is 32 bits long and displayed as four groups of numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.1.
- IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6): A newer standard developed due to the depletion of IPv4 addresses. It is 128 bits long and displayed as eight groups of hexadecimal numbers separated by colons, such as 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.
Public and Private IP Addresses
IP addresses are divided into two main categories:
- Public IP Address: Unique on the internet and allows your device to be identified on the internet. This is the address that websites and online services can see and is typically assigned by your ISP (Internet Service Provider).
- Private IP Address: Used on your local network (such as home or office network) and assigned by your router. These addresses are not visible on the internet and fall within designated private ranges (e.g., 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x).
The Importance of Your IP Address
Your IP address can be used for various purposes:
- Provides access to websites and online services
- Allows (approximate) determination of your geographic location
- Can be used for access control and authentication for some online services
- Important for connection quality and latency (ping) in online games and real-time applications
IP Privacy and Security
Although your IP address does not reveal personal information, it can be associated with your online activities. To protect your privacy:
- You can hide your real IP address using a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
- Tools like Tor Browser can anonymize your internet traffic
- Proxy servers can temporarily mask your IP address
- Be careful on unsecured Wi-Fi networks, your IP address and traffic can be monitored
Security Tip:
Regularly checking your IP address is a good practice to verify that your VPN is working correctly or to monitor if your access point has changed. Especially when conducting sensitive transactions like banking or shopping, regularly check your IP address and connection to ensure network security.