An Internet Protocol (IP) address is provided to each device connected to the network. IP addresses consist of four numbers and look like 117.0.0.1. All of these numbers are generally assigned to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) within the region-based blocks. An IP address can be used to identify the country or region from which a device connects to the Internet.
Previously, ISPs issued an IP address for each user. They are called static IP addresses. ISPs now issue IP addresses dynamically from a pool of addresses (via DHCP). These are known as dynamic IP addresses. With virtual hosting, a single machine can act as multiple machines (with multiple domain names and protocol addresses).
The IP address reveals your …
Using an IP address it is quite easy to identify the place, including the country, state, city, using some web applications. Find the IP address of email senders from Yahoo, Rediff, Hotmail, etc. It is easy. Google masks the outgoing IP address of the sender who sends emails using the Gmail web interface.
By using software similar to IP-Tracker installed on remote devices, you can access it from anywhere. IP-Tracker constantly monitors the dynamic IP address of the device and every time the IP address changes, it sends an email to your inbox notifying you of your new IP address.
How can I change my IP address?
- If you are using a dial-up connection, you can simply dial through an alternate access number
- For cable / DSL with router:
- Open your router’s control panel
- Increase your MAC address by a number
- Then disconnect and reconnect your router. Now after doing this your ISP will give you a new IP.
- If you find any problem, go back to the old MAC
How can I hide my IP address?
You can hide your IP address using …
- IP changer software.
- anonymous software
Advantages of knowing my IP address
Knowing your IP address can allow you to access
- services that run on your machine (for example, online games)
- servers (FTP, web, mail)
- remote access utilities (MS Remote Desktop, GoToMyPC, PCAnywhere).
Explanation of virtual hosting
Virtual hosting allows a single machine to act as multiple machines (with multiple domain names and IP addresses).
How can I find out the IP address of the person you have been chatting with on your instant messenger (instant messenger)?
- If you want to know the IP, run a packet sniffer and start a file transfer.
- You will need to set up a file transfer to see the internet protocol address of the person you are communicating with; the transfer will go virtually directly to the other person’s computer. Otherwise, it gets the protocol address from the server.
If you run a packet sniffer, you need to send a request using ICMP, then TCP with the SYN ACK flag set) and the target computer will respond. The TCP SYN ACK packet provides you with the port number, IP address, and so on. of the target device.
But there are exceptions. If the target device is running behind a router with a hardware firewall, it may not get the actual protocol address you are looking for; instead it will show a WAN IP of some kind, usually the ISP’s.
In conclusion, since internet protocol addresses reveal your physical location and also provide more details to others; It is advisable not to display your protocol address except for essential and important communications. Mask the IP address for you and for the security of your device.