An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. Think of it as a home address for your device on the internet.

IP addresses serve two main functions:

• Network interface identification: They identify a device on a specific network
• Location addressing: They provide the digital location of the device

There are two versions of IP addresses currently in use:

• IPv4: The older format consisting of four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
• IPv6: The newer format using eight groups of hexadecimal digits separated by colons (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334)

You can find your public IP address using multiple methods:

• Using IPSeekr: Our tool on the homepage shows your current public IP address instantly
• Search engines: Typing "what is my IP" into Google or Bing will display your public IP
• Specialized websites: Websites like whatismyip.com or ip4.me

To find your private/local IP address:

• Windows: Open Command Prompt and type "ipconfig"
• macOS: Go to System Preferences > Network
• Linux: Open Terminal and type "ifconfig" or "ip addr"
• Mobile devices: Check your Wi-Fi or network settings

Most residential internet connections use dynamic IP addresses, which can change for several reasons:

• Router reboots: Your ISP may assign a new IP when you restart your router
• ISP policies: Many ISPs rotate IP addresses periodically as a security measure
• DHCP lease expiration: Dynamic IP addresses are "leased" for a certain period
• Network changes: Switching between networks (home Wi-Fi to mobile data)
• VPN usage: Using a VPN will mask your real IP with the VPN server's IP

If you need a consistent IP address, you might want to consider a static IP, which typically costs extra from most ISPs.

While knowing your IP address alone is not enough for someone to "hack" your device, it does provide some information that could potentially be used maliciously:

• General location: IP addresses can reveal your approximate geographic location (usually city-level)
• ISP information: They can identify which internet service provider you use
• Potential attack target: In rare cases, an IP address could be targeted for DDoS attacks

For most people, having your IP address known doesn't pose a significant security risk because:

• Modern routers have built-in firewalls
• Most home connections use NAT (Network Address Translation), which adds a layer of protection
• Common operating systems have security features to prevent unauthorized access

To enhance your privacy, you can use a VPN service which masks your real IP address.

IPv4 and IPv6 are two generations of Internet Protocol with significant differences:

• Address format:
  • IPv4: 32-bit address written as four numbers separated by periods (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
  • IPv6: 128-bit address written as eight groups of hexadecimal digits separated by colons (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334)
• Address space:
  • IPv4: Approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses
  • IPv6: Approximately 340 undecillion unique addresses (340 trillion trillion trillion)
• Configuration:
  • IPv4: Manual configuration or DHCP
  • IPv6: Stateless address autoconfiguration, DHCPv6, or manual configuration
• Security:
  • IPv4: Security depends on external applications
  • IPv6: Built-in IPsec security

IPv6 was developed primarily because we were running out of available IPv4 addresses due to the explosive growth of internet-connected devices worldwide.

Private IP addresses are specific ranges of IP addresses reserved for use within private networks like home or office networks. These addresses are not routable on the public internet.

The main private IP address ranges are:

• Class A: 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255
• Class B: 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255
• Class C: 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255

Private IP addresses allow multiple devices to communicate within a local network while sharing a single public IP address through NAT (Network Address Translation). This system helps conserve the limited IPv4 address space and adds a layer of security by not directly exposing local devices to the internet.

When you connect to a VPN (Virtual Private Network), it changes how your IP address appears to websites and online services:

• Masking your real IP: A VPN replaces your actual IP address with the IP address of the VPN server you're connected to
• Location shifting: If you connect to a VPN server in another country, websites will see your location as that country
• Traffic encryption: VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, making it difficult for ISPs or network administrators to see which websites you visit

This can be useful for:

• Enhancing privacy by hiding your browsing habits from your ISP
• Accessing region-restricted content by connecting to servers in different countries
• Adding security when using public Wi-Fi networks
• Avoiding certain types of online tracking

However, VPNs may slow down your connection speed since your traffic is being routed through another server.

Websites need your IP address for several legitimate reasons:

• Basic communication: To send requested data back to your device
• Geographic customization: To show relevant content based on your location (like local news or weather)
• Security measures: To prevent abuse like spam, fraud, and DDoS attacks
• Analytics: To understand user demographics and behavior
• Content licensing: To comply with regional content restrictions
• Personalization: To remember your preferences without requiring login

While necessary for the internet to function, some users prefer to limit IP tracking for privacy reasons, which is why tools like VPNs have become popular.

Yes, there are several ways to change your IP address:

• Restart your router: Many ISPs assign a new dynamic IP address when your router reconnects
• Use a VPN: This masks your real IP with the VPN server's IP address
• Use a proxy server: Similar to a VPN but typically without encryption
• Connect to a different network: Using a different Wi-Fi network or switching to mobile data
• Contact your ISP: You can request an IP address change or a static IP (may involve additional fees)
• Use Tor Browser: This routes your connection through multiple servers, changing your apparent IP

Remember that any method of changing your IP address may have trade-offs in terms of connection speed, reliability, or privacy.

From your public IP address, the following information can typically be determined:

• Geographic location: Usually accurate to the city or region level, but not your precise physical address
• Internet Service Provider (ISP): The company providing your internet connection
• Connection type: Whether you're using a residential, business, or mobile connection
• Time zone: Based on your general location
• Proxy/VPN usage: Many services can detect if you're using a proxy or VPN

What cannot normally be determined from your IP address alone:

• Your exact physical address
• Your name or identity
• Your browsing history
• Your personal data or files

Companies that compile and sell IP intelligence data may have additional information linked to IP addresses, such as demographic trends for your area.