IP Address

The “IP” part of the IP address stands for “Internet Protocol” The “address” part refers to a unique number that gets linked to all online activity you do.

Every time you are on the internet, IP addresses are playing an essential role in the information exchange to help you see the sites you are requesting OR you can say IP addresses give devices on IP networks their own identities so they can find each other.

What is an IP address?

An IP is an internet protocol address or it is a set of rules each party needs to follow to allow for a bi-directional flow of data. It is a numeric value assigned to a network device, used for the identification and location of a network device. IP addresses are assigned to every type of network device whether it’s a laptop, a desktop device, a cell phone, computer servers, or websites.

In Simple Words,

Your IP address is a unique identifier, kind of like a mailing address, associated with your online activity. Any time that you use the internet (video calls, shopping online, sending emails, chatting with friends), you’re requesting access to a specific online destination, and in return, information is sent back to you.

An example of an IP address would be 172.217. 22.14 [google.com]

Your IP Address

IP Addresses connect automatically in the background, so we can focus on what’s important. The process as follows:

1. Your device connects to the internet by first connecting to a network connected to the internet. The network will probably be your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
2. Your IP address is assigned to your device by your ISP.
3. Your internet activity goes through the ISP, and they route it back to you, using your IP address. Since they are giving you access to the internet, it is their role to assign an IP address to your device.
4. However, your IP address can change. For example, turning your modem or router on or off can change it. Or you can contact your ISP, and they can change it for you.

Does your IP address change?

Yes. Even if you are only using the internet at home, the IP address for your home can change. You can contact your internet service provider (ISP) to change it, or whenever you are restarting your modem or router because internet connection problems could result in a change.

Does it travel with you?

No. Your IP address is only associated with one location. For example, when you are traveling and you take your device with you, your home IP address does not come with you. This is because you will be using another network (Wi-Fi at a hotel, airport, or coffee shop, etc.) to access the internet and will be using a different (and temporary) IP address, assigned to you by the ISP of the hotel, airport or coffee shop.

Can more than one device have the same IP address?

This is a bit tricky but the answer is both yes and no. More than one device can share the same external (public) IP address, but every device will have its own local (private) IP address. For example, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) sets your home up with one external IP address. Since your router is what actually connects to the internet, the IP address is assigned to your router. Your router then assigns a local IP address to each device that is connected to the internet at a time. The external IP address is what’s shared with the outside world. Your local IP address isn’t shared outside of your private network.

Computer Hub For Ip Address

Do You Need to Hide Your IP Address?

You don’t need to hide your IP address, but there are some times where you may want to for the following reasons:

1. Preserving your online privacy
2. Using Public WiFi Safely
3. Protection from Hackers
4. Accessing geo-blocked content
5. Avoiding Government Censorship

How Can You Hide Your IP Address?

Let’s look at some ways you can actually do it.

1. A VPN Service is the best way to hide your IP address. It is one of the most popular methods of maintaining your online privacy. When you are using a VPN service you can spoof your IP address to appear as if you are located anywhere in the world. For Example, if your connecting VPN server is located in Rajasthan, your external IP will look like it’s connected from Rajasthan, no matter where you actually are.
2. Access the Internet using Tor Browser. Actually, the Tor browser is a software application that lets you use the Tor network to hide your IP and browse anonymously. It is a freeware, open-source program and can be run on many different operating systems.
3. Use a Public WiFi connection. Connecting your device, using a public WiFi network will give your device a different IP address and effectively hide your IP address.

How Can Find Your Public IP?

1. Python Program to find public IP Address

import urllib.request
import re


def get_external_ip():
    site = str(urllib.request.urlopen("http://checkip.dyndns.org/").read())
    grab = re.findall('([0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+)', site)
    address = grab[0]
    return address


if __name__ == '__main__':
    print(get_external_ip())

2. IP Address Finding Website: http://checkip.dyndns.org/