What is an IP Address? Ultimate Guide

Key Takeaways

An IP Address is a unique identifier for every device on a network.
IPv4 is the old standard (e.g. 192.168.1.1); IPv6 is the new one.
Your Public IP is visible to websites; your Private IP is local only.
You can change your Public IP using a VPN or by restarting your router.

Every device connected to the internet—whether it's your smartphone, laptop, or smart fridge—has a unique identifier. This is known as an Internet Protocol (IP) address.

Think of it like a home address. If someone wants to send you a letter, they need your street address. Similarly, if a computer wants to send data (like a YouTube video or an email) to your device, it needs your digital address.

How IP Addresses Work

An IP address allows computers to send and receive information. When you type `google.com` into your browser, your computer doesn't actually know where google.com is. It asks a DNS server for the IP address associated with that domain names, and then connects to that specific number string.

Did you know?

The internet is running out of IPv4 addresses. The original system allowed for 4.3 billion unique addresses, which seemed like enough in the 1980s. Today, with billions of smartphones and IoT devices, we have exhausted that pool, leading to the adoption of IPv6.

Types of IP Addresses

1. Public vs. Private

Your device actually has two IPs:

Public IP: This is the face you show to the world. It is assigned by your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to your home router. All devices in your home share this one public IP when accessing the internet.
Private IP: This is used only physically within your home network. Your router assigns a private IP (like `192.168.1.5`) to your phone, another to your laptop, etc., so it knows which device requested which webpage.

2. IPv4 vs. IPv6

IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) is the legacy standard. It uses a 32-bit address scheme, looking like `192.168.1.1`.

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is the successor. It uses a 128-bit address scheme, allowing for 340 undecillion addresses. It looks significantly more complex: `2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334`.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can someone find my exact home address from my IP?

No. An IP address generally only reveals your City, Region, and ISP. It serves as a general geolocation marker, not a GPS coordinate. However, legal authorities can subpoena your ISP to link an IP to a subscriber's physical address.

How can I hide my IP address?

The most effective way is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN routes your traffic through a secure server, masking your real IP with the server's IP. Alternatively, using the Tor Browser can also hide your IP.

Why does my IP address change?

Most residential connections use Dynamic IPs. ISPs rotate addresses from a pool to manage resources efficiently. If you restart your modem, you will often receive a new IP. Business lines often pay extra for a Static IP that never changes.

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