What Is an IP Address?
IP addresses allow us to communicate, connect, and browse online. However, the IP system can sometimes seem unclear, and you may not even know exactly what an IP address is. Check your IP address on our homepage. Then, in this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about public and private IP addresses.
What is an IP address?
An IP address, meaning Internet Protocol address, is a uniquely identifying string of numbers. Each network-connected device or any device in the Internet of Things receives one. The address identifies and allows these devices to communicate with each other.
They can do so either on an internal or external computer network. Any device that transmits or receives network traffic gets an IP. 192.168.10.1 is an IP address example. Any device with that IP can communicate across the same network.
What is the purpose of an IP address?
Each device on a network receives an IP address for several purposes. IPs help to:
- identify devices on a network
- enable communication between devices
- allow access to online resources and services
Without IPs, routers and other network devices could not properly route and transfer data. IPs are essential for successful device communication within an internal network. However, they're also crucial for communication between a network and the wider Internet. They allow users access to online resources through their front-facing public IP.
How do IP addresses work?
When a device connects to a network, the network assigns it an IP. A Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, router, or Internet service provider (ISP) usually assigns it. In any IP system within a network, the device that assigns the IP governs it, whether that be your router or your ISP.
Your Internet activity then goes through your Internet service provider. It routes back to you via the IP assigned to you. Your address isn't permanent, though; it can change based on your connection and the network you choose to connect to.
All governing devices, whether DHCP servers, routers, or Internet service providers, use IP address management (IPAM). This prevents the assignment of the same Internet Protocol address to multiple devices. However, sometimes two devices have the same IP on the same network. In these cases, an IP conflict prevents data from correctly transmitting and arriving on these devices.
Your Internet Protocol address works, theoretically, as a digital version of your home address. It’s like how you need a home address to receive mail, and the sender must have your correct home number and zip code. You need an Internet Protocol address to connect to the Internet. Therefore, any device connecting to yours needs the proper address for a successful connection.
However, this analogy only works up to a point. Though two different houses don’t share a home address, devices from different networks can. For example, 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.254 are both private addresses used on many devices across many different networks.
As long as the devices are on different networks, it’s possible for two devices to have the same IP. Within the same network, though, they would be unable to transmit and receive data properly as explained above.
What does an IP address tell you?
An Internet Protocol address contains a lot of information. However, its main purpose is simply to identify your device and your network across different Internet connections.
An IP can indicate which Internet service provider you use and your Internet speed. It also reveals information about your general location. It could indicate your country, state, city, or postal region.
However, you can’t find someone’s exact location from their IP. The information helps other devices and networks to identify your device, not other users online. In many cases, the geolocation data associated with an IP address isn’t even completely accurate. Each IP geolocation database keeps different records.
Types of IP addresses
It can be difficult for a beginner to fully understand the IP system. If you’re just learning about Internet Protocol addresses, read below. We'll explain IP address terms and types of IPs to help you understand them.
IPv4 IP address
IPv4 addresses refer to Internet Protocol version 4 IP addresses. They are the standard IP, containing 32 bits in dotted decimal notation.
IPv6 IP address
IPv6 is the latest version of the IP system, making it the longest IP address. It contains 128 bits, letters, and numbers.
Public IP address
Your Internet service provider assigns your public IP, which allows you to connect to the Internet. This is the address that's visible when you go online.
Private IP address
A private IP allows your device to communicate locally on a network. Your WiFi router assigns your private IP.
Static IP address
An Internet service provider manually assigns a static IP. Unlike dynamic IPs, static IPs do not change.
Dynamic IP address
Networks assign dynamic IPs. Unlike static IPs, they change occasionally depending on the lease time.
Dedicated IP address
Dedicated IPs are website IP addresses. They allow users to run their own FTP servers and access their site via the IP alone.
Loopback IP address
A loopback IP is reserved specifically to allow a device to send and receive its own data packets. 127.0.0.1 is an example of one of these addresses.
Shared IP address
Shared IPs are another type of website IP. Websites hosted from web hosting providers on the same server use shared IPs.
What is my public IP address?
Your public IP is the address servers and devices use to identify you when you connect to the Internet. All web servers, email servers, and other servers directly accessible online are candidates for a public IP.
It differs from your device’s private IP, which has an individual assignment to each device you use. Your public IP is what the rest of the Internet sees. However, its visibility isn’t a privacy concern; you can’t be tracked by your Internet Protocol address.
Two devices with the same public IP can’t both exist on the Internet. That is why the public and private addressing system is necessary. It allows for each of the devices to locate each other while online. That way, they can connect and exchange information.
Your ISP assigns you a random IP address as soon as you get an Internet connection. This means you lack control over your specific address assignment.
Therefore, your public and private addresses may differ. This is why you may see a different IP address on WhatIsMyIP.com than when using ipconfig or ifconfig commands. The home page displays your public IP; the commands may display your private IP.
What is my private IP address?
Your private IP changes depending on what device you're using on your network. Your router assigns each device on your network a private IP to communicate. Private IPs come in three classes: class A, class B, and class C, depending on how big your network is.
You can use the ipconfig or ifconfig commands on your computer to check your private Internet Protocol address. If on a mobile device or tablet, check the device settings. Learn how to check your device's private IP in order to find out your local address.
Public vs. private IP addresses
Both public and private IP addresses are necessary for a successful and functioning network. However, understanding the differences between the two can help users who are new to networking.
As mentioned above, public IPs are what the rest of the Internet sees when you go online. It's the IP of your router, modem, or other Internet routing device. All devices on a network display the same public IP when browsing online. An Internet service provider assigns them.
Private IPs, on the other hand, are used to connect to other devices on the same local area network. Your network device assigns them; you can find them in your individual device settings.
At the start of the Internet, we only utilized public IPs. However, as the Internet grew, it became apparent that there was a need for more addressing. With network address translation, devices like routers or modems could work as middlemen between public and private networks. Devices can have private IPs on local networks and use one public IP on larger networks.
IPv4 vs. IPv6: Understanding the difference
Internet Protocol version 4, or IPv4, is the fourth version of the IP address system. It remains the dominant version that is still used today. An IPv4 address consists of 32-bit integers. Depending on a network's available addresses or host identifiers, it belongs to one of five classes.
IPv4 is still the most common protocol today. However, as the Internet grew, it became apparent that the classful addressing system of IPv4 would eventually run out. The IPv6 addressing system thus emerged. This new version has 128-bit addressing space and allows for trillions of unique address assignments.
Though these two systems work in tandem, the primary difference between them comes in how they structure IP address size. IPv4's 32-bit addressing space is definitively less than IPv6's 128-bit addressing space. IPv6 also provides enhanced packet headers, allowing for improved routing.
However, note that IPv6 isn't the standard yet. IPv4 addresses are still most commonly used and supported. Unless you have a large network, you'll likely be able to continue using the IPv4 addressing system.
How to hide your IP address
Though you’re not in control of your public IP, you can change it in order to gain privacy or even anonymity online. There are several ways to hide your IP address in order to increase anonymity, security, and privacy online.
Using a virtual private network (VPN) masks your IP address. It routes your connection through their servers, which making your IP appear as the server’s instead of your own.
They also provide greater network security in general and help protect against dangers like IP spoofing. You can also use a proxy server, which performs a similar function. Either will mask your IP, which helps with privacy, data protection, and evading network blocks.
You can also contact your Internet service provider in order to change your IP address. This ensures that all future activity associates with your new IP rather than your old IP. If you're on a budget, you have other options. Unplugging your router or using a privacy browser like Tor allows you to change or mask your IP while browsing online.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my Internet Protocol address?
Yes, you can change your IP. You can change it by simply switching networks. But you can also change your IP on the same network by using a free VPN or proxy. Browsers like Tor also remove the association of your IP from your user, which helps promote privacy and anonymity.
Does an Internet Protocol address change with location?
Your IP address changes based on your network, which means that yes, it can change with location. Parts of an IP address may stay the same, but the address will change overall.
What does IP stand for?
IP stands for Internet Protocol.
What is the IP address definition?
An IP, by definition, is a uniquely assigned number that identifies devices on a network.
Can someone track me using my Internet Protocol address?
Someone cannot find your exact location with your IP, so in that sense, no, you cannot be tracked. However, someone can link your Internet Protocol address to all of your online activity. Websites and Internet service providers can see your activity. They could potentially identify you with your IP address.
Can two devices have the same IP address?
Two devices can have the same private IP address if connected to different networks. However, all public IPs connecting to the Internet must be unique.