What is an IP address? How do I get my IP address?

IP stands for “Internet Protocol”, which is a set of rules that govern data transmitted over the internet. An IP address is a unique numeric identifier assigned to any device connected to a computer network via the Internet Protocol. The IP address serves as a unique identifier for the device on the Internet and allows data to be sent and received between different devices on the network.

IP addresses may be used to provide location-based services, such as targeted advertising and tracking. Each device on a network has a unique IP address, allowing it to be identified and located on the network. Some people may be uncomfortable with this level of tracking and monitoring.

There are two types of IP addresses:

IPv4: IPv4 addresses are the most common and consist of four sets of numbers separated by periods, such as “192.168.0.1”.

IPv6: IPv6 addresses are longer and consist of eight sets of hexadecimal digits separated by colons, such as “2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334”.

You can find your IP address by doing any of the following which is helpful to you:

1. Google search: Simply type “what is my IP” in the Google search bar, and it will display your IP address.
2. Using a command prompt on Windows: Open the Command Prompt and type “ipconfig” or “ipconfig/all”. The IP address will be displayed under “IPv4 Address” or “IPv6 Address” depending on your network configuration.
3. Using a terminal on Mac or Linux: Open the Terminal and type “ifconfig” or “ip addr show”. The IP address will be displayed next to “inet” or “inet6” depending on your network configuration.
4. Visiting a website: There are many websites that display your IP address when you visit them, such as “whatismyip.com” or “ipchicken.com“.

Note that your IP address may change periodically depending on your internet service provider and network configuration.