What is my IP?

By jonas Author

Updated - December 29, 2021

What is my IP?


27.56.225.57

What is an IP address?

Internet Protocol (IP) addresses are unique identifiers for machines connected to a network. This could be viewed as your online mailing address. A device's IP address defines how it interacts with the internet since it was created in the 1970s. A device's IP address is like a GPS location for any networked device (including servers). Internet Protocol addresses are always involved when you browse the web, watch a video on YouTube, or book your next vacation. Visit Wikipedia for more information.

How does an IP address work?

The Internet Service Provider (ISP) typically assigns IP addresses to devices. ISPs provide you with internet access, so they are responsible for assigning an IP address to your device. In the case of AT&T or COX, your ISP assigns IP addresses to your devices. Your online activity is routed to your device via your IP address when you attempt to connect to their internet. IPv4 offers a limited number of addresses, however IPv6 does not offer a limited number of addresses. A HowToGeek article explains how IP addresses work.

IPv6 and IPv4

IPv6 was designed to be a next-generation protocol that fixes IPv4's flaws and limitations. Unfortunately, IPv4 will not become obsolete anytime soon since these two protocols cannot communicate with each other.

 These key differences are as follows:

  • Address style – IPv4 addresses are numeric and have their binary bits separated by dots (.). Meanwhile, IPv6 addresses are alphanumeric and separated by columns (:).
  • Size of IP addresses – IPv4 addresses are 32-bits by design, while IPv6 addresses are 128-bit.
  • Checksum – IPv4 has checksum fields, while IPv6 offers none.
  • Security – IPv6 provides security by default, whereas IPv4 requires applications to provide security.
  • Mobile compatibility – IPv4’s use of the dot-decimal notation makes it less suitable for mobile networks. IPv6’s representation in hexadecimal, colon-separated notation makes it more suitable for mobile networks.
  • Sample address – IPv4 – 127.0.0.1, and IPv6 – 2001:0db8:0000:0000:0000:ff00:0042:7879

However, both protocols can exist simultaneously on a network.

How to check my IP address

Finding your IP address is easy. If you're trying to check your IP address from a computer or smartphone, you can use this website or one of the "What's my IP" websites. Google will also show your IP address if you type in "My IP" on the search bar. Nonetheless, Google will always display your IPv6 if your network supports both IPv4 and IPv6. A website that looks up your IPv4 address can be used to check it.

How to change my IP address

It's not as difficult as you might think to change your IP address. There are three simple steps you can take:

  • Your IP address can be seamlessly changed by switching between network providers or by resetting your router. Using your mobile data instead of wifi, for instance, instantly changes your IP address. In the same way, resetting your router will force your ISP to assign you a new IP address.
  • Make use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) - A VPN can be used to hide your IP address and prevent third parties, such as your ISP, from monitoring your activities online. VPNs offer a number of benefits, including protecting your identity online and allowing you to access geo-restricted content on streaming platforms like Netflix.
  • Contact your ISP –  You may also contact your ISP to change your IP address.
  • You are assigned a different IP address every time you open the Tor browser. Whenever you access a website using the Tor browser, the assigned IP address will appear instead of your real IP address.

When you connect to the internet, your device uses either a static IP address or dynamic IP address. You essentially use the same IP address every time you connect to the internet with static IP addresses. Dynamic IP addresses, on the other hand, are temporary and assigned every time a device connects to the network. It is possible to reserve static IP addresses for a single entity like a business.

Can my IP address reveal my exact location?

Not at all. It is highly unlikely your IP address will reveal your exact location, but it can reveal your registered location, and other information about your Internet Service Provider. You can check your IP address on multiple websites, and chances are that each one will show a different location. Nevertheless, some details like your country and state can be determined by your IP address.

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