Find Your IP Address

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique number that’s associated with your network hardware such as your desktop or laptop computer. It helps connect your computer to other devices on your network and the Internet, and they are vital for all Internet activities. An IP address consists of numbers or characters: an example is 343.987.34.322.

There are two types of IP addresses: private, or local, and public. Local IP addresses that can only be seen by other devices on a home-based or corporate network. However, to communicate across the Internet, computers need unique public, or external, IP addresses.

Your local IP address is used for internal purposes such as identifying your computer on a home or business network. Your local IP address is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP); it can’t be accessed from devices outside your home or business network.

Your public IP address is the main IP address to which your home or business network is connected. It allows you to surf the Internet, and it’s unique for all users.

There are also two versions of Internet Protocol: IP v. 4 and IP v. 6. IP v4 uses a 32-bit address, which means there are 4.29 billion combinations of IP addresses that can be created. That may seem like a lot, but it’s not enough to meet ongoing demand, so IP v. 6 was created to address that shortcoming.

IP v.6 uses 128-bit Internet addresses which means it can support 1028 times more IP addresses than IP v. 4. That should be more than enough to support the huge number of devices on the Internet for a long time.

You might be asking, “What’s the process to find my IP address?” It’s pretty easy to do for local Windows IP addresses and Mac IP addresses.

Here’s how to find a local IP address:

• For Windows IP addresses, including versions 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Vista, open the command prompt on your computer and type ipconfig. Then press Enter.
• For an IP address for Macs, enter ifconfig in your Terminal app

The next question is how to find your public IP address. At the top of this page, you can see your public IP address. Another easy way to find it is to use a website such as ip4.me. Just visit the site and it will show you your public IP address.

Yes, it’s a good idea to block your IP address to prevent data tracking, spying on your online activities, and misuse of your personal information. Cybercriminals can also track your IP address, even when location services are turned off.

If you’re wondering how to hide your IP address, a VPN (virtual private network) is a good way to do this. VPNs mask your actual IP address so snoops and spies can’t identify it. It also blocks your browser’s history and location and encrypts your traffic.

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a secure connection between people and devices over the Internet. It uses encryption technology to re-create the security of a local network and connect devices that are not in the same location. A VPN makes going online safer and more private by stopping people from seeing who you are, where you are, or what you’re looking at.

If you’re on a public network, such as in an airport or coffee shop, you can use a VPN to hide your identity, spoof your location, and mask your online activities.

Malwarebytes Privacy VPN is a good solution for protecting your online privacy. It secures your WiFi connections at speeds faster than traditional VPNs so it won’t slow you down when you’re gaming or browsing the Internet.

Malwarebytes Privacy uses stealthy VPN tunneling technology to safeguard your personal information and help you stay anonymous while using the web. Your Internet traffic travels through an encrypted tunnel and will look like it’s coming from a Malwarebytes’ virtual server – giving you a simple, easy way to take control of your privacy.

One word to the wise: Avoid free VPNs. Free VPNs exist for criminals who don’t want to leave a paper trail. Unfortunately, the majority of free VPNs are run by criminals, for criminals.

It’s also important to pair a VPN with a good cybersecurity program for total protection. VPNs are just one aspect of an all-encompassing cybersecurity strategy. Home users interested in using the Internet safely and privately should take a look at Malwarebytes for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Chromebook.