What is an ip address and where i can find the ip address for my computer?
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Written by Dan Rafter for NortonLifeLock July 25, 2022 Our internet-connected devices have unique identifiers — Internet Protocol addresses, commonly known as IP addresses. An IP address can reveal a little bit about you, namely your geolocation. If you’re asking the question, “How do I find my IP address?” here are the basics on what IP addresses do and how you can find your own. What is an IP address?
Essentially, IP addresses are how computers on the internet recognize one another. Your internet service provider (ISP) assigns IP addresses to your internet-connected devices, and every IP address is unique. Considering every single internet-connected device has an IP address, billions of IP addresses exist. Every device that can connect to the internet is a member of the World Wide Web — computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, routers, etc. — and all have an IP address. Websites and computer networks require this form of identification for you to interact with them. Understanding how to find your IP address and how it works is important. But, it’s also important to understand the purpose of IP addresses and why they matter. Why do you have an IP address?An IP address can be considered a digital address for your internet-connected devices, as it reveals your geolocation to help providers deliver content that’s relevant to you. An example? Thanks to your IP address you’ll see local restaurants pop up when you search “sushi restaurants.” How can I find my IP address?You can find your IP address by running a Google search for ”What is my IP address?” Once you do this, the internet sends your IP address to you. The internet knows your IP address because it’s assigned to your device and is required to browse the internet. Your IP address changes, though, every time you connect to a different Wi-Fi network or router. Online users won’t even know the difference and, generally, they don’t need to — much like how they don’t necessarily need to know how to read an IP address. Rather, online users should be aware of what information their IP address reveals. What information does my IP address reveal?
IP addresses do reveal your geolocation, but not your precise location like a home address does. IP addresses will also never reveal your name, phone number, or other precise personal information. Instead, IP addresses might reveal the city, ZIP code, or area code from where you are connecting to the internet at that moment, which is why IP addresses change every time you connect from a new location or when you are using a new router. And it’s generally your router’s IP address that is revealed, not the IP address of your internet-connected devices such as your computer, tablet, or mobile phone that communicate with a router to connect to the internet. Sure, these internet-connected devices share their IP address with your router, but your router uses its own IP address to grant your device access to the World Wide Web. It’s for this reason that your IP address almost always reveals the geolocation of your ISP’s nearest servers — not your physical location at all — and your IP address also reveals the name of your ISP.
Can others find my IP address?
Remember, IP addresses are required to enter any website and webpage on it. Every time you click something online it’s like signing a guestbook, with your IP address acting as the signature you leave behind. This includes social media sites, internet forums, chatrooms, and blogs you comment on. All these platforms can view your IP address. Also, cybercriminals can find your IP address by hacking into your home network or placing a bug in email HTML. For a more straightforward approach to find your IP address, others might simply borrow your device and Google “what is my IP address” or inspect the header of an email address. There are also IP lookup services, whereby users can simply copy and paste an IP address into a search bar and discover a person’s geolocation. Authorities, including, law enforcement or fraud investigators, can also use subpoenas to contact your ISP and get your IP address. But, why would other people want to know your IP address and what would they do with it? Is it dangerous for people to know my IP address?
Consider the following parties who might be interested in your IP address and why:
When it comes to others trying to find your IP address, some might have malicious intentions, such as to track you. Others, however, might be watching out for you, such as your bank confirming that it was you who submitted that transfer request. Just because someone knows your IP address does not necessarily mean they will wind up on your doorstep. Still, you might want to take measures to protect your IP address. How can I protect my IP address?The simplest way to protect your IP address is to use a virtual private network (VPN).This hides your online activity by using encryption, scrambling the data you send while searching the Internet so that hackers can decipher it. It also changes your IP address completely, placing your geolocation hundreds or maybe thousands of miles from where you are accessing the internet. The bottom line: Knowing what an IP address is mattersNow that you know the answer to the question “How do I find my IP address?” you can better take the steps necessary to protect your IP address while online. It’s a good idea to understand what an IP address reveals and how to hide your IP address if you want to. After all, being informed is a best practice when it comes to protecting our online privacy. Norton technology blocked 142 million threats a day.Norton™ 360 brings real-time protection for your PCs, Macs, smartphones or tablets against ransomware, viruses, spyware, malware and other online threats. Try Norton 360. Post, bank and shop from your device. We’ll keep it secure. Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More
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