What is an IP Address?

An IP address is a number that identifies your device and allows it to send and receive data packets over the internet. It stores information about your location and thus allows two-way communication between devices.

To distinguish between different networks, routers, and websites on the internet, a process is required. As a result, IP addresses provide the mechanism for doing so, and they are an integral part of the internet’s operation. You’ll notice that the majority of the IP addresses are numerical. Even so, as the world’s network users grow exponentially, network developers have had to add letters and some addresses as internet usage grows.

A series of numbers separated by periods make up an IP address (.). They are expressed in four pairs, such as 255.255.255.255, with each set ranging from 0 to 255.

IP addresses aren’t generated at random. They are generated mathematically and assigned by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), a division of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a non-profit organisation that assigns names and numbers to websites. It is a non-profit organisation that was founded in the United States in 1998 with the goal of managing Internet security and making it accessible to everyone.

How do IP Addresses work?

The Internet Protocol, or IP, works in the same way as other languages, in that it follows a set of rules to communicate data. This protocol is the only way for all devices to get, send, and pass information to other connected devices. Computers located all over the world can communicate with one another by using the same language.

Process of assigning IP Addresses:

1. Your computer, smartphone, or other Wi-Fi-enabled device connects to a network before connecting to the internet. The network is in charge of connecting your device to the internet.

2. While working from home, your device is most likely connected to the Internet Service Provider’s network (ISP). In a professional setting, your device connects to the company’s network.

3. Your ISP is in charge of assigning your device an IP address.

4. Your internet request passes through the ISP, which sends the requested data to your device via your IP address. ISPs are in charge of assigning an IP address to your computer or device because they provide you with internet access.

5. Your IP address is never static and is subject to change if its internal environment changes. Your IP address will change if you turn your modem or router on or off, for example. Alternatively, the user can connect to their ISP to change their IP address.

6. When you’re not at home or at work, especially if you travel and bring your device with you, your computer won’t be able to access your home IP address. This is due to the fact that you will be connecting the device to the internet via various networks (your phone hotspot, Wi-Fi at a cafe, resort, or airport, for example). As a result, the hotel or cafe’s ISP will assign your device a different (temporary) IP address.

Types of IP Addresses:

1. Private IP Address:

A private IP address is assigned to each device connected to your internet network. It can accommodate computers, desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and even Wi-Fi-enabled devices like speakers, printers, and smart TVs. The demand for private IP addresses at individual homes appears to be increasing as the IoT (internet of things) expands.

The router, on the other hand, needs a way to distinguish between these things. As a result, your router generates unique private IP addresses that serve as identifiers for all devices connected to your network. As a result, they can be distinguished from one another on the network.

2. Public IP Address:

A public IP address, also known as a primary address, refers to the entire network of devices connected to it. Every device associated with your primary IP address has its own private IP address. Your ISP is responsible for providing your router with your public IP address.

ISPs typically keep a large stock of IP addresses that they distribute to their customers. Every device that is located outside of your internet network uses your public IP address to identify your network.

There are two further categories of public IP addresses:

a. Dynamic IP Address:

Dynamic IP addresses, as the name implies, change automatically and frequently. ISPs already purchase a bulk stock of IP addresses and assign them to their customers in some order with this type of IP address. They re-allocate IP addresses on a regular basis and return the ones that have been used to the IP address pool so that they can be used again for another client. The basis for this method is for the ISP to make cost-cutting profits.

b. Static IP Address:

Static IP addresses, in contrast to dynamic IP addresses, are permanent. The network only assigns the IP address to the device once, and it stays the same. Although most businesses and individuals prefer not to have a static IP address, a static IP address is required for an organisation to host its network server. It uses a static IP address to protect websites and email addresses that are linked to it.

Types of Website IP Addresses:

1. Shared IP Addresses:

Many startups, individual website creators, and various SME websites can use shared hosting plans instead of investing in dedicated IP addresses at first. Shared hosting services, in which two or more websites are hosted on the same server, are available from a variety of web hosting providers. Shared hosting is only practical for websites that receive average traffic, have manageable traffic volumes, and are limited in terms of webpages, etc.

2. Dedicated IP Addresses:

A dedicated IP address can also be purchased from a web hosting company. Dedicated IP addresses are unquestionably more secure, and they allow users to run their own File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server. As a result, it is easier to share and transfer data with a large number of people within a company, and it also offers anonymous FTP sharing.

Another benefit of a dedicated IP address is that instead of typing the full domain name, the user can easily access the website by typing the IP address.

Searching for your own IP Address:

On Windows computers, opening the command prompt, and typing in the following command – “ipconfig” – displays the IP address of the computer in the command prompt window.

Security Threats to IP Addresses:

1. Social Engineering:

Hackers can use social engineering tactics to persuade you to reveal your device’s IP address. They might connect you via email, Skype, or another instant messaging app that accepts IP addresses to communicate and pass information, for example.

It’s important to remember that if you use these messaging apps to communicate with these anonymous people, they can obtain your IP address. Cybercriminals can locate your IP address using your username with the help of a third-party tool called Skype Resolver.

2. Online Stalking:

By simply tracking your online activities, attackers can crack your IP address. Any online activity, such as using an instant messaging app, playing online games, or discussing a topic on any digital websites and forums, can reveal your IP address.

Criminals can visit an IP address tracking website (whatismyipaddress.com) after gaining access to your IP address, enter your IP address there, and track your current location in seconds. They won’t stop there; they’ll cross-reference it with other available information to see if the IP address is linked to you specifically.

Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook are examples of social networking sites that are used to verify the information gathered by the attacker about your location.

Summary:

In this article, we looked at the concept of IP Addresses, and how different devices connected to the internet are assigned IP addresses. We also looked at the different types of IP addresses, and also a method to find out one’s own IP address. Lastly, we also looked at the types of malicious attacks that IP addresses are vulnerable to.