What is an IP address?

The internet relies on a system of rules called the Internet Protocol to send and receive data between devices. This system directs traffic across networks and ensures that information reaches the correct destination.

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique string of numbers assigned to each device connected to a network. It works like a phone number or mailing address, allowing devices to identify and communicate with each other online. Without IP addresses, activities such as browsing websites or using peer-to-peer (P2P) services would not function.

Below, you’ll learn how IP addresses work and why some users choose to change their IP using tools like a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

How an IP address works

In the real world, we all have addresses in order to be found. That information is necessary for any number of reasons. The primary characteristic of addresses is uniqueness – no two are exactly the same.

Similarly, an IP address is a unique code used to identify any network device (node), such as your PC, router, or smart fridge. It’s the number of a digital house on a digital street if you will. Unlike in the real world, having an IP is a mandatory prerequisite for communication between devices.

If you type “Amazon.com” on your browser, the first thing your computer does is convert the domain name (Amazon.com) into a language machines understand – an IP address. That’s the job of DNS servers, which act as a virtual phonebook, where your device looks up the destination. Once it has the IP address, it can open the website.

That’s a simple example of how IPs work, but the same is true for any online or on-LAN interaction between devices. Whether you’re browsing the web or using a P2P program, your IP is what makes it possible.

Types of IP addresses

There are various types of IP addresses, and they come in several shapes and sizes. First of all, we have to distinguish between the main types out there in the wild:

• Public
• Private
• Static
• Dynamic

Additionally, each can be either IPv4 or IPv6. Let’s untangle this mess.

Public IP address

A public IP address is the most likely meaning behind the general term “IP Address”. This is your address to the internet outside your Local Area Network (LAN). As you might guess, it’s actually the address of your entire home network, rather than your personal computer.

Every device that connects to the internet via your router has the same address, commonly known as your IP address. Your public IP address is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and can only be changed through very specific means. One of them is virtual private networks (VPNs). Read on to learn how.

Private IP address

A Private IP address is an address on the LAN, “behind” the router. Each device on your home network has an IP address (different from your public IP) for communicating with other devices and your router. You can change your private IP address all you want, as long as the one you choose isn’t occupied by another device on your home network.

Dynamic IP address

Dynamic IP addresses are temporary IPs assigned to new users on a network and serve several purposes. Primarily, ISPs use dynamic IPs to simplify IP assignment management and minimize resource usage.

When you connect to the internet, a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server assigns an IP address to your router. Once you disconnect, it can give that same IP address to another user, thus reducing the number of unique IPs required to make connections possible. The truth is most IPs are dynamic.

Static IP address

Static IPs are mostly used by businesses, who are more likely to require functionalities that dynamic IPs can’t offer. Basically speaking, a static IP is one that remains the same from connection to connection at any time. This allows such things as hosting websites or web services.

IP address versions

There are two different versions of IP addresses – IPv4 and IPv6. So, what do they look like, visually speaking? IPv4 is the common one you’ve seen a hundred times and looks like this:

192.168.0.2544.294.967.296

The IPv6, though, is a bit more uncanny looking like these ones:

2001:0db8:0000:0042:0000:8a2e:0370:7334fe80:0000:0000:0000:0202:b3ff:fe1e:8329

Obviously, IPv6 is much longer and includes letters as well as numbers because it uses hexadecimal notation. This makes tremendously more unique combinations possible, which is the entire point of a new standard.

When IPv4 started being used in 1983, no one could foresee how successful and revolutionary the Internet would become. People were probably fairly sure that 4,294,967,296 addresses would be enough.

That is obviously not the case anymore; therefore, the new IPv6 was designed to theoretically have 3,402,823,669,209,384,634,674,607,431,768,211,456 unique addresses. Quite a few more than is possible to wrap one’s head around.

Although IPv6 completely solves the issue of unique IP addresses, most traffic is still routed over IPv4. One issue is that IPv4 and IPv6 don’t communicate with each other, and it’s, therefore, more difficult to make a transition from one to the other. As such, we’ll probably live with IPv4 for a bit longer.

How to see my IP address?

Finding out your IP address will depend on which IP address you’re looking for – your public or private one. Seeing your public IP is easier – use one of many online tools like whatismyipaddress.com, or ipleak.net. You can do this with any device that has a browser, including your phone, tablet or even a gaming console.

If you want to find your private IP address, your approach depends on your platform.

On Windows

Here’s what you would do as a Windows user:

1. Open Windows Search and write “command prompt” or “cmd”. This will open a black terminal where you can enter commands.
2. Type “ipconfig” (without quotation marks) and press Enter.
3. Find your IP address. As a side note, your “Default Gateway” is the IP of your router.

Alternatively, you can find the IP address in the computer’s settings:

1. Press Start and go to your Settings.
2. Select Network & Internet.
3. Go to the Network and Sharing Center.
4. Click on your Wi-Fi and then on that network’s properties.
5. At the bottom you’ll see the network information including your IPv4 or IPv6 addresses.

On macOS

If you are a Mac user, follow these steps:

1. Open the Terminal (/Applications/Utilities/).
2. Type “ifconfig |grep inet” (without quotation marks).
3. You’ll see your IP at the bottom (ignore the 127.0.0.1 address)

Alternatively, you can find the IP in System Preferences:

1. Enter the Network settings.
2. You’ll see your IP on the right.

Why would you want to change your IP address?

You probably understand that your IP can tell quite a lot about you. For starters, it can show someone what your ISP and location are, and there’s not much separating your location from your identity. Needless to say, this can be risky for a number of reasons.

For example, perhaps you’re a political activist in a dictatorship, or maybe you’re torrenting copyrighted material somewhere in Germany. Whatever the case, leaving your real IP out in the open can bring trouble to your doorstep.

On the other hand, changing your IP is a great way to bypass geo-blocking. Be it foreign libraries of your favorite video streaming platform or a region-locked website. Services that have any type of location-based restrictions always check the IP address you’re connecting from.

Thankfully, there are ways to solve these problems – tools that will change your IP address and thus your location and identity.

Ways to change your IP address

There are a couple of ways of doing so using different tools, the most popular being proxy servers and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

A proxy server acts as a gateway that operates at the application level. This means it only affects the traffic from the specific app where the proxy is configured. For example, if you set up a proxy in your browser, only your browser traffic will go through the proxy, while other apps on your device will continue using your regular internet connection.

However, most proxies won’t encrypt your data and, on top of that, require some advanced tech-savvy knowledge. In this case, I generally recommend VPN services because they are much safer and much easier to set up.

A virtual private network works like an intermediary between your device and ISP. It routes your internet traffic through a secure server and encrypts the data you send and receive. This helps hide your real IP address and makes your online activity harder to track. Many VPN services also include additional security features to further improve privacy and online safety.

Beyond hiding your IP address, a VPN will also let you access geo-blocked content or bypass the Great Firewall of China. It can also potentially make your connection speeds faster if your ISP is throttling it for one reason or another.

Change your IP address with a VPN

To change your IP address with a VPN, you first need to choose a trustworthy service. To help you make an easy and quick choice, I gathered our top 3 best VPN services which are an outstanding mix of safety, convenience, and value.

1. NordVPN

   The best VPN for changing location
   9.8
2. Surfshark VPN

   Affordable VPN with numerous country choices
   9.5
3. Proton VPN

   Private VPN to securely change your IP address
   8.6

Conclusion

IP addresses are a fundamental part of how the internet works. Just as every home has a physical address, every device connected to the internet has a unique IP address that allows networks to identify it and deliver data to the correct destination. Understanding the basics of IP addresses can help everyday users better grasp how online communication, websites, and network connections function.

In some situations, changing your IP address can be useful. For example, you can improve privacy, troubleshoot network issues, or access geo-restricted content. Depending on your needs, this can be done using tools such as network changes, proxies, or VPN services.

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You may also like to read:
What is IP geolocation
How to hide your IP address
Best VPN with Dedicated IP
What is IP spoofing
How to check your torrent IP

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FAQ

What is an IP address?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique identifier assigned to a device connected to a network. It allows devices to locate and communicate with each other over the internet or a local network (LAN). IP addresses appear as strings of numbers separated by dots (IPv4) or colons (IPv6) and help route data to the correct destination.

Can I change my IP address?

Yes, there are a few ways to change your IP address. For example, restarting your router, switching to a different network, or using tools like proxy servers can assign you a new IP. However, one of the easiest and most reliable ways is to use a VPN, which replaces your real IP with one from a remote server. In addition to changing your IP, VPNs also encrypt your internet traffic for added privacy.

How to change your IP address without a VPN?

You can change your IP address without a VPN by using a proxy server, browsing through the Tor network, or switching to a different internet connection (such as mobile data or another Wi-Fi network). However, these methods may reduce browsing speed, limit functionality, or provide a weaker connection. For more consistent security and encryption, many users still choose a dedicated VPN service.

Who can use my IP address?

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and the websites you visit can see your IP address when you browse the Internet. An IP address can reveal your approximate location and network provider, and it’s often logged for security, analytics, or advertising purposes. This data may influence the ads or content you see online. Using a VPN, like NordVPN, can help hide your real IP address and add an extra layer of privacy.