The internet is one of those few things which could have been an unimaginable wonder to the people tracing back to the times before the era of the World Wide Web. With the internet and internet of things rolling out into almost every aspect of our lives, questions keep popping about this token of a miracle. How can all the devices around the world be so suavely connected? Who is the Internet Service Provider, and how are we and our equipment connected to it? Among all these FAQs is what IP addresses are and how exactly do they work.
While connecting your PC or mobile to another computer-based network, you would have often come across the term “IP address.” And even though IP addresses are unique and mandatory for every internet-based activity, more than half of the internet users around the world have no idea how it works or how to keep it safe. Keeping it safe is effortless, you can use 192.168.0.1 Admin Login, User, Password & IP, and stay the former. And unlike the real-world equivalent of the internet, it’s not as petrifying as not knowing your home address because let’s admit it’s something most of us wanna leave up to those computer geeks! Nevertheless, here’s everything you MUST know about the same, in case it can mark the beginning of your life as one of those geeks.
What Is An IP address?
An INTERNET PROTOCOL(IP) address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the IP(Internet Protocol) for communication.
When you connect to the internet, you first connect to a network that’s connected to the internet itself, followed by you getting access to the internet.
Now, anything and everything you do while you’re online goes through a series of steps. The network you’re using might be your Internet service provider (ISP) at home, or a company network at work, or a wireless network at a hotel or coffee shop.
For example, you go online and chat.
Your request is sent to a destination, and the response or information related to whatever your online activity comes back directly to you. The networking software has a built-in protocol to trade these requests back and forth.
One of those networking protocols on your computer, the Internet Protocol, is responsible for addressing, delivering, and routing your online requests precisely. The address it uses is your IP address for your particular connection.
How do I determine My IP address?
One of the prominent and straightforward ways is to type “What is my IP address,” and your search engine will tell you.
When you want to set up a network or troubleshoot a connectivity problem, you need to know your IP address. Now, the IP address is of two types:
- Public
- Local
The Internet Service Provider has a unique address for every device that’s registered to its domestic network. It is usually assigned by the router on your internal network. If you have a problem out there on the internet and seek help from a tech expert who may then need your public IP address. whatismyipaddress.com can help you in determining the same, or you can use a free online tool such as HMA’s IP Hacker.
However, it would be best if you always cross-checked with your Internet Service Provider, in case they may have changed it.
It may be noted that since your public IP address is public, anyone can get it just like you can and get access to everything you do online. And of course, not an easy task and hence only fascinates motivated stalkers and criminals and so the law enforcement.
Ever wondered how you get your online feed full of ads based on your location? That’s precisely how online advertisers do so. You can secure your public IP address using Virtual Private Network(VPN).
On the other hand, it takes a series of steps to know your local IP address based on your type of connectivity and version of windows or operating system you use.
Why Does The IP Address Keep Changing?
An IP address is a numerical label, and so is a matter of numbers. The internet has millions of users worldwide at all times, and even millions of them are connected at the same time. The frequency of different users using the internet is different. Some of them log on for a series of errands for a small-time, but everyone who is online needs a unique IP address.
Therefore, if we take all the maths involved into account, making it intensively expensive for assigning a permanent IP address to every ISP user. Internet Protocol, thus, an acquainted notion of the dynamic IP address that allowed ISPs to provide their users with an IP address that may change when needed.
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