The definition itself comes from the English "Internet Protocol Address". It means an identifier that is assigned to a device (computer, tablet, smartphone, and so on), going to the global network, or LAN (home, corporate, etc.).

Structure and composition of the IP address

This combination is used to identify a user connected to a LAN or the Internet. There are 2 types of addresses: IPv4 and IPv6. They differ in the length and "alphabet" of the characters used:

• An IPv4 address consists of 4 numeric groups separated by a dot. Each group can be represented by a value within 0 and 255.
• IPv6 addresses are longer. 8 groups of characters are used here: not only numbers, but also letters.

"Check my IP" means to determine these numeric (for IPv4) or alphanumeric (for Ipv6) combinations that are identifiers of a device connected to a network (LAN or Internet). IP verification also occurs when connecting to the site. This is necessary, including for establishing a data transfer route between the device and the server. If the user is thinking about how to determine the IP address, he is taking the first step towards in order to use the surrounding information field with a higher level of security.

Varieties and order of assignment

IP is assigned to a computer (or other device) when accessing the network. Moreover, the assignment does not take place in random order: the device is assigned an IP address that is currently free with the internet providing services. Thus the IP address may not always be the same for a particular devices. Such addresses are called dynamic: i.e., you can say, every time you go online the device receives a new Internet Protocol Address. If desired, you can make the IP address static. To do this, you need to contact your Internet provider (or network administrator) to "fix" address for a specific subscriber. Static IP addresses are also called external. As a rule, static address assignment are charged separately. There are also internal IP addresses. This categories include IP addresses assigned to devices that are part of the local computing networks.

The division into dynamic and static addresses is not accidental. The need to use dynamic IP addresses is due to the fact that at the moment the number of Internet users is so large that there are not enough static IPv4 addresses for everyone. Therefore, their dynamic distribution occurs: each once the user goes online under a new IP: the addresses are used in turn, depending on business.

Static are useful in cases where the user needs regularly connect to the same resources (in particular, when using authorization by IP). But they are potentially more vulnerable than dynamic.

How to determine my IP?

Specialized services will help to do this. Their principle of operation is quite simple: the service requests your browser's IP address information (stored in the browser and in the computer), receives a response and displays it to the user in real time. At the same time, another information, such as the location of the user, which is calculated from the IP address, information about Internet provider through which the connection is made, and so on.

“MY IP” — effective and simple tool for determining IP.

My IP is a specialized service that allows you to determine the exact IP assigned to a device. It will be the one from which the host is accessed.

What is the reason to determine IP address at all? It is usually done for the following reasons:

• For security reasons. Knowing your address and being able to hide it from the target host by user guarantees the safety of personal information. Using the received address, an attacker can infect PC (for example, using a browser) and make a bot out of this computer that will participate in DDoS attacks and other illegal actions (and the owner will not even suspect about it). Besides your logins, passwords, bank card data stored on the computer, etc can be stolen.
• From the other side (from the side of the target site), knowing the compromised IPs, you can protect your host (website) from illegal actions.
• For work. In this case, you need not only the ability to determine your IP, but also to hide it. This is necessary in order to bypass geo-blocks, requests quantity restrictions from one IP and others "obstacles".

How to change your IP address

The easiest method for those who do not use static IPs is to reboot the router or completely unplug it for a few minutes. Most likely you will get a new IP address. But it is almost senseless. After all, it will still be your real IP address, knowing which an attacker can infiltrate the computer.

To hide securely the address, you should use a VPN or proxy. The VPN creates a secure "tunnel" which securely hides information between your device and the target host. Intercept IP from the side in this case is not possible. A proxy is a kind of intermediary that accesses sites from your name, but with its own IP, hiding yours.

So, in order to ensure security and/or anonymity while surfing using our site, you need to:

• Determine your real IP using the service given on our website.
• Make it inaccessible to prying eyes by using a private proxy: buy, set it up and use with confidence that it is securely "camouflaged".

To check the IP that is "assigned" to you after connecting to the proxy server, you can again use service and find out the address using which your computer communicates with sites, other hosts on the network and etc.

4 frequently asked questions about IP and proxies

Below are the answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding IP addresses and proxy servers usage:

1. Why is my real IP address still visible to the target host when using a proxy? Here can be one of two reasons. The first is incorrect settings, check them again. The second is using an HTTP proxy that is not configured to mask the IP address. The solution is to change it to a suitable for your needs.
2. How to hide the fact of connecting to the network through a proxy? To prevent the target host (site) from discovering the fact of proxy use, connect a SOCKS proxy with an increased level of anonymity. Another option is a VPN. (will additionally provide traffic protection).
3. How can I get a static IP address? It can be bought from the provider. Another less expensive way is to use a VPN service that assigns static IP addresses.
4. Is it possible to hide information about the browser used and computer settings? This data is transmitted to third-party hosts by the browser. To do this, you can use special plugins. For example, Random User-Agent (replaces data) together with WebRTC Leak Prevent (protects against IP address leaks).