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What Is an IP Address?
IP address stands for internet protocol address; it is an identifying number that is associated with a specific computer or computer network. When connected to the internet, the IP address allows the computers to send and receive information.
Important Points
- An internet protocol (IP) address allows computers to send and receive information.
- There are four types of IP addresses:- public, private, static, and dynamic.
- An IP address allows information to be sent and received by the correct parties, which means it can also be used to track down a user's physical location.
How an IP Address Works
An IP address allows computers to send and receive data over the internet. Most IP addresses are purely numerical, but as internet usage grows, letters have been added to some addresses.
There are four different types of IP addresses: public, private, static, and dynamic. While the public and private are indicative of the location of the network private being used inside a network while the public is used outside of a network static and dynamic indicates permanency.
A static IP address is one that was manually created, as opposed to having been assigned. A static address also does not change, whereas a dynamic IP address has been assigned by a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server and is subject to change. Dynamic IP addresses are the most common type of internet protocol addresses. Dynamic IP addresses are only active for a certain amount of time, after which they expire. The computer will either automatically request a new lease, or the computer may receive a new IP address.
An IP address can be compared to a Social Security Number (SSN) since each one is completely unique to the computer or user it is assigned to. The creation of these numbers allows routers to identify where they are sending information on the internet. They also make sure that the correct devices are receiving what is being sent. Much like the post office needs a mailing address to deliver a package, a router needs an IP address to deliver to the web address requested.
Let’s talk about these different types of IP addresses one by one:
- Private IP Address
A private IP address is the address of your device connected to the home or business network. If you have a few different devices connected to one ISP (Internet Service Provider), then all your devices will have a unique private IP address. This IP address cannot be accessed from devices outside your home or business network.
For example 192.168.1.2
Private IP addresses are not unique because there is a limited number of devices on your network.
You can find out the private IP address of your device using a few techniques. If you are a Windows user, then simply go to the command prompt and enter the command IP-config. If you’re a mac user, then you need to enter the following command if-config in your Terminal app
If you are using the internet on a mobile phone, then you can go to your WiFi settings to find out the IP address. iOS users can find the IP address by clicking on the ‘i‘ button next to the network they are connected to. Android users can click on the network name in their WiFi settings, and it will show the IP address.
- Public IP Address
Your public IP address is the main IP address to which your home or business network is connected. This IP address connects you to the world, and it’s unique for all users.
To find out your public IP address, simply go to the SupportAlly site in your browser, and it will display the public IP and other browser information.
- Static and Dynamic IP Addresses
All private and public IP addresses can be either static or dynamic. IP addresses that you configure manually and fix to the network of your device are called static IP addresses. Static IP addresses cannot change automatically.
The dynamic IP address configures automatically and assigns an IP to your network when you set up the router with the internet. This distribution of IP addresses is managed by Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). DHCP can be your internet router that assigns an IP address to your network in your home or business environment.
An Example of IP Address
The dark web refers to encrypted online content that is not indexed by conventional search engines. The dark web has an illegal online black market where criminals can deal with illegal and illicit goods. Many of these exchanges take place using the online cryptocurrency bitcoin, which makes it harder for the authorities to track and capture people participating in these transactions.
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