When we hear the term, ‘IP address’, some of us might be familiar with the term, but have no understanding what it actually means and entails. If you have been wondering, “What is an IP address?” or “What is the purpose of an IP address?”, then you have come to the right place.
In this blog, we will discover exactly what an IP address is and its purpose.
Let’s get to it.
The Origins of the IP Address
Before we get into the meaning of an IP address, let’s first delve into the history behind IP and what it is. IP, otherwise known as Internet Protocol, was first introduced in 1983 in the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET), which formed the foundation for a computer network.
This allowed different computer networks (originally for the United States Department of Defense) to communicate with each other, establishing a new communications protocol that was universally accepted. This was known as the TrControl Protocol/Internetwork Protocol (TCP/IP).
IP Address Meaning
With the above in mind, an IP address is the identifier of specific devices on the internet. In essence, it helps the network differentiate between different computers, websites, and routers. This allows it to efficiently send and retrieve data to the right place.
Keep in mind that your own computer’s IP address can change by simply turning off your router. IP addresses aren’t permanent, meaning that while you might have one IP address at home, if you take your laptop somewhere else, you will be assigned to a different IP address.
This is because you use another network to connect to the internet at home compared to at an airport or cafe.
Types of IP Addresses
The original type of IP address is the IPv4, otherwise known as IP version 4. This consists of a set of four numbers, separated by periods, with each number in the set ranging from 0 to 255. One example of an IP address could be: 52.88.132.179.
However, despite the numerous sequences that you could create with this format, the number of IP addresses available is bound to run out, especially when you consider the growing population of internet users.
This is where IPv6 comes in.
IPv6 addresses involve eight groups of four digits (both letters and numbers). One example of an IPv6 address is: 2001:4860:4000:0000:008g:4fff:0000:0000.
The Dark Side of IP Addresses
It’s important to note that there is also a dark side to IP addresses, especially if someone were to use your IP address against you. Aside from routing data to you, an IP address can also be used to check permissions, view your location, and more.
An IP address can track your online activity in a detailed manner, leaving you potentially at risk of:
- Denial of service (DoS) or distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks
- Phishing attacks via tracking your activity
- Website access restrictions
- Spying, stalking by pinpointing your location
- And more…
How Others Find Your IP Address
Although it’s simple for you to find your own IP address, others might struggle with identifying yours – but this doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. In fact, hackers can still track down your IP address in the following ways:
- Public networks – public networks often have many security holes that allow hackers and third parties to find your IP address; it’s recommended to invest in a VPN should you wish to use a public network
- Online activity – your IP address could be visible to a number of internet users, especially if you frequent forums; moderators and admins often have access to member IP addresses
- Torrent downloads – when you torrent files, your IP address is shared with everyone on that network; be wary when torrenting!
- Phishing scams – clicking on suspicious links or attachments via emails or social media can lead to your IP address being accessed by hackers; avoid clicking on unfamiliar links to prevent this
As a result, it would be worthwhile to invest in an online privacy software such as iolo’s Privacy Guardian.
iolo’s Privacy Guardian
Privacy Guardian is iolo’s solution for protecting your online privacy. In particular, it offers the following features:
- Blocks annoying ads and spam emails
- Prevents third parties from accessing your browsing habits
- Disables aggressive data collection settings
- Keeps search history private and secure
- Clears cookies automatically
- And more…
By utilizing the above features, you can expect enhanced protection against identity theft and fraud from hackers who attempt to access your data via your IP address.
Another iolo product, and perhaps the better choice for those looking for a comprehensive solution to upgrading their privacy on their devices is iolo’s System Mechanic® Ultimate Defense™.
iolo’s System Mechanic® Ultimate Defense™
System Mechanic® Ultimate Defense™ offers an all-in-one solution that includes:
- Password management – storing, creating, and managing passwords
- Performance booster – enhances computer speed and performance for faster download speeds, streaming, and gaming
- Real-time antivirus protection – instantly detects and removes malware
- Cleaner – junk files, cookies, browsing history, and more can be removed to free up resources
- Privacy control – manage your privacy settings easily, allowing you to choose who can collect personal data
- File recovery – recover accidentally deleted files and folders
- And more…
As you can see, System Mechanic® Ultimate Defense™ is the perfect solution for those looking to not only protect their privacy, but also to improve their experience as a whole.
Protect Your Privacy with iolo
Online privacy is crucial in an age where hackers are becoming increasingly smarter at exploiting vulnerabilities in computer systems. Protect your online activity with iolo’s Privacy Guardian and System Mechanic® Ultimate Defense™.
Prevent hackers from infiltrating your privacy and risking fraud, theft, and more. Browse our full range of products today, or for more information on our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the iolo team.
