| IPv4 Address: | 3.144.20.151 |
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| IPv6 Address: | Not Available |
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| Browser: | Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com) |
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| Server Protocol: | HTTP/1.1 |
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What is an IP Address?
An IP address (Internet Protocol) is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every device connected to the internet. It works similarly to a postal address - enabling correct data delivery between devices on the network.
Where does your IP address come from?
- From your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
- Can be static (doesn't change) or dynamic (changes with each connection)
- May change when using mobile internet based on location
- When connected via VPN, you see the VPN server's IP
Uses of IP Addresses
IP addresses are used for:
- Identifying your device on the internet
- Routing internet communications
- Determining geographic location (geolocation)
- Securing online services
- Filtering content access by country
Types of IP Addresses
IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4)
- 32-bit format
- Written as four numbers from 0-255 separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
- Allows approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses
- Still the most widely used format
- Due to address exhaustion, gradually transitioning to IPv6
IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6)
- 128-bit format
- Written as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits
- Example: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
- Provides approximately 340 undecillion unique addresses
- Better support for mobile devices and IoT
- Built-in support for security and encryption
Privacy and Security
Your IP address can reveal:
- Approximate geographic location
- Internet Service Provider
- Connection type
- Potential security risks
To enhance privacy, you can use:
- VPN (Virtual Private Network)
- Proxy servers
- Tor network
How Are IP Addresses Assigned?
IP addresses are hierarchically managed by organizations:
- IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) - primary IP address administrator
- RIR (Regional Internet Registries) - regional administrators (RIPE NCC for Europe)
- LIR (Local Internet Registries) - local internet providers
Assignment process:
- IANA assigns address blocks to regional registries (RIRs)
- RIRs assign smaller blocks to local registries (LIRs)
- LIRs (usually ISPs) assign addresses to end users
Interesting Facts About IP Addresses
- Some IP addresses are reserved for special purposes:
- 127.0.0.1 - localhost (your computer)
- 192.168.x.x - private networks
- 10.x.x.x - corporate networks
- IPv4 addresses are now considered a scarce resource
- Some organizations are selling their unused IPv4 addresses
- IPv6 has enough addresses for every grain of sand on Earth
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my IP address change?
Most Internet Service Providers use dynamic IP assignment. This means you may get a new IP address each time you connect to the internet. It's a more efficient way to manage IP addresses.
Can someone find my location through my IP address?
An IP address can reveal your approximate location (city or region) but not your exact address. Geolocation accuracy depends on the quality of databases that map IP addresses to geographical locations.
Why do I need IPv6?
IPv6 addresses the main limitation of IPv4 - address shortage. It also brings improvements in security, performance, and simpler network management.