What Is An IP Address

Meta Title- What Is An IP Address- Explanation With Types

Meta d- IP Address explained. Get answers to questions like what is an IP address, its
types, and how it works. Also get security tips for a safer online journey.

An IP address is a very familiar term in today's setting. However, if you ask someone what is
an IP address, they might only tell you that it has something to do with the internet.

While they are not wrong, it is not a very useful answer. So what does IP address mean?

An Internet Protocol address or IP address is a unique numeric tag that is used to identify a
device connected to the internet. So, in simple terms, the IP address is like a digital mailing
address, unique to each device, that is used for transferring data from the internet.

There are different types of IP addresses, and each is used for different purposes. So, to
learn more about them, keep reading.

Explaining How IP Address Works

Each moment, the internet is connected to millions of devices. An IP address acts like a
unique identification assigned to each device on a network. It allows them to communicate
and exchange data. So, to understand how it works, lets learn about it step by step.

Structure and format of an IP address

An IP address is made up of four numerical sections separated by periods.

For example: 192.168.1.38

Each of the sections is called an octet, and they represent an 8-bit binary number ranging
from 0 to 255 (decimal). With this type of combination, there can be almost 4 billion unique
IP addresses.

The working mechanism of an IP address, in simple terms

The process in which an IP address receives or shares information online can be explained
in five simple steps.

1. Requesting information: The device initiates a request for information from a

website (server) on the internet.
2. Packaging the request: The request is packed into digital packets that include the
destination address (the website’s IP) and a return address (the device’s IP).
3. Routing: The packets then travel through a network of routers (just how courier
packages work), and the destination IP address is used to find the most efficient path
of delivery.
 4. Delivery: the server receives the request, processes it, and sends back a response
packet containing the requested information.
5. Receiving the response: Once the response is delivered to the device’s IP address,
the information gets unpacked and displayed on the device.

This was just a simplified analogy; the process involves complex protocols and technologies.

Communication protocols
IP addresses rely on Internet Protocol, which is a set of rules governing how data should be
formatted and transmitted across a network. These protocols ensure that the data packets
are properly addressed and routed to the correct destination device.

The Two Main Types Of IP Address: IPv4 Vs. IPv6

These are two main versions of the IP address.

1. IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4)- It is the version that is currently used
everywhere. This version uses a 32-bit address that allows almost 4.3 billion unique
addresses. However, due to the rapid growth of internet usage, IPv4 addresses are
becoming scarce.
2. IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6)- This is the next-generation addressing scheme.
IPv6 uses a 128-bit address that offers a significantly larger address pool. It also has
a simplified structure and improved security features.

Classification Of IP Address
IP addresses can be of various types based on their characteristics and purpose. Here are
some of the most common types of IP addresses that you’ll find around you.

1/ Public and Private & IP addresses

These are considered the two broad categories to classify IP addresses.

➢ Public IP Address- This address is assigned to you by your Internet Service

Provider (ISP) and acts like your home network’s identification on the public internet.
This address helps you connect with web servers and other external devices.
➢ Private IP Address- This is a non-routable address and is used for internal
communications with a local network like your Wi-fi. They are not directly accessible
from the public internet and, therefore, are more secure.

2/ Static & Dynamic IP addresses

➢ Static IP Address- These are fixed addresses that remain constant for a device.
They are configured manually and used for servers, web hostings, etc.
➢ Dynamic IP Address- These are the addresses that get automatically assigned to
home devices. They are usually obtained through Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol (DHCP).
3/ Loopback IP Addresses
These are a special type of IP addresses that are used for communicating within a single
device. Think of it as a designated mailbox within your house for internal communication that
never goes outside the house. They are only used for diagnostic purposes to verify that the
protocols are working on the device.

4/ Broadcast IP Addresses
A Broadcast IP address is used to send data to all the devices connected to a specific
network. This address is derived from the network address and subnet mask.

5/ Reserved IP Addresses
There are some IP addresses that are kept aside by the Internet Assigned Number Authority
(IANA) for special purposes. It can be things like research or internal network use. These
addresses can not be assigned to public usage.

Where Do You Find Your IP Address?

Follow these steps to find your device’s IP address.

For Windows users:

1. Go to the start menu and search for “Settings”.

2. Open the “Networks & Internet” option.
3. Click on “Wi-fi” or “Ethernet”.
4. Select the network you are currently connected to.
5. Under “Properties”, you will find “IPv4 address”. This is your local IP address.

For Mac users:

1. Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences”.

2. Go to “Network”.
3. Select your connected network.
4. Click on “Advanced”.
5. Under the “TCP/IP” tab, find “IPv4 address”.

What Does IP Address Tell You?

Now that we are clear with the fundamentals of IP address, let’s look at what all it can reveal
about you and your device.

● Your general location- You may have heard many cases of police using IP
addresses to find cyber-criminals. This is because an IP address can pinpoint your
general geographic location. Meaning through your IP address one can easily tell
your city or region. However, it won't pinpoint your exact street address.
● Your network type- IP addresses can reveal the type of network you are connected
to, such as a home network, business network, or educational institute.
 ● Your ISP information- In some cases, the IP address can also give hits about your
internet service provider (ISP). It is done by backtracking the address block
allocation.

The things IP address doesn’t reveal

Don’t get scared. There are still some very crucial things that an IP address can’t disclose.
For example-

● Your name and personal information- An IP address alone can’t reveal your name,
phone number, email or similar other personal details. Plus, IP addresses change,
each time you connect to a different ISP. So the address you have today might get
assigned to someone else tomorrow. hence, it is very difficult to reveal someone’s
name from just the IP address.
● Your exact location- IP addresses can reveal only a general area and not your
precise location, as they are based on geographical location.
● Your online activity- An IP address doesn't track your browsing history or website
visits. However, with cookies and other information combined, it is possible to find
details.

The Threats Related To IP Address

An IP address is essential for using the internet. However, it can also expose you to some
serious threats.

1. Targeted attacks- With your IP address, cybercriminals can launch denial-of-service

(DoS) attacks on your device. It will suddenly increase your device traffic, making it
unusable.
2. Location tracking- They may not be able to find your exact location with just your IP
address, but they can surely find your general address. Combining it with other data,
they can then pinpoint your exact location and stalk you.
3. Social engineering- Criminals can use your IP address to impersonate a trusted
source, like your ISP, to get them to reveal your personal information.

Ways To Eliminate Those Threats

To combat these unwanted situations, you can follow the steps below-

● Use a VPN: Virtual Private Networks encrypt your internet traffic and route it through
a remote server, masking your actual IP address from websites and online services
you visit. This can save you from revealing your location and other traceable
information.
● Be Cautious on Public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks often lack robust security
measures. Avoid sensitive activities like online banking or entering passwords while
connected to public Wi-Fi. Consider using a VPN instead.
● Be Wary of Phishing Attempts: Don't click on suspicious links or open attachments
from unknown senders, even if they mention your IP address. Legitimate companies
wouldn't use such tactics.
 ● Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication: Utilize strong passwords and
enable two-factor authentication whenever possible for online accounts. This adds an
extra layer of security beyond just your password.
● Control App Permissions: Review and adjust app permissions on your devices,
especially location access. Not all apps require your precise location to function.

Wrapping Up
In conclusion, IP addresses are the foundation of Internet communication. They act like a
digital mailing address for devices. Understanding how IP addresses work can help you save
yourself from potential cyber-attacks. Try to stick to the best practices like using a VPN and
avoiding public Wi-Fi for important work, to minimize the chances of such mishaps.