Every internet user has probably heard the term “IP address” while surfing the web, but do you know what they are and how they work? In this article, we’ll take a look at those mysterious sequences of numbers that digital devices need to connect to the Internet, and why they’re part of how the Internet works.
IP Address: A Definition
Let’s break down the term “IP address finder” first. IP is short for Internet Protocol, the underlying communication protocol that defines how data is transmitted over the Internet and other similar computer networks. The “address” section refers to the unique string of numbers that identifies each device connected to the Internet.
The most common type of IP address consists of a set of four decimal numbers separated by periods, ranging from 0 to 255, for example 172.16.254.1. This type of IP address is called IPv4. Because these kinds of addresses are running out, a type of IP address known as IPv6 is slowly replacing them. An IPv6 address has eight blocks of numbers (not just numbers) instead of four, with each block separated by a colon instead of a period. Here is an example of an IPv6 address: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
IP addresses are essential for internet communication. This random random string of numbers and figure transmits a lot of information, from the type of device you use to the location of your device. Once you’re connected to the internet, your device’s IP address is tied to everything you do online.
How IP addresses work
As we mentioned in the previous section, IP addresses are not random. A person who connects to the Internet on a digital device, such as a laptop, is assigned an IP address by their Internet Service Provider (ISP). However, ISPs do not produce IP addresses.
IP addresses are created and distributed through a hierarchical structure, with the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) at the top. The IANA mathematically creates IP addresses and then assigns them to regional Internet registries, which are responsible for giving IP addresses to local Internet registries (such as your ISP) in a specific region.
The purpose of an IP address can be seen as a kind of return email address. When you connect to the internet on your laptop, your ISP knows how to redirect your internet activity because of the specific IP address assigned to your laptop.
An interesting aspect of IP addresses is that they are not permanent. The laptop’s IP address can change for a variety of reasons, such as resetting your router or intentionally changing it using a VPN, or simply asking your ISP to assign you a new one. Likewise, if you move your laptop to a different location, you will be assigned a new IP address because you will be connecting to the internet through a different network.
So what is my IP address then?
As you’ve probably discovered, your IP address will likely change depending on how long you travel, whether you have a VPN, or just reset your router often. There is also the issue of public and private IP addresses. A public IP address is what the ISP assigns to an entire network (such as your home network). Within this network, each device is assigned its own IP address. This is a private IP address.
Finding your public IP address is as easy as a quick Google search. Just search for the term “what is my IP address” and the best result will be the IP address of your home network. There are also several websites dedicated to finding your public IP address, such as whatismyip.com and whatismyipaddress.com. You may find that the location is not always correct when using these sites. This is because public IP addresses only have your approximate location and not your exact physical address.
Finding your private IP address is a bit more work and depends on the type of device you’re using, but it’s still relatively easy.
Do the following for Windows 10:
In the taskbar, find the Wi-Fi icon and select the network you are connected to.
- Click on “Properties”
- On the new screen, your device’s private IP address will be displayed next to “IPv4 Address”.
- Do the following on macOS:
- Select the Apple logo from the menu bar
- Click on System Preferences and select the network you are on
