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Websites can track who you are and where you might live according to your IP address. If that sounds scary, it most certainly is, and even possibly dangerous! You should keep updated on how you use your IP address to make sure you are safely browsing the Internet.
To start off, checking your IP address can be done via several means. First you can make use of websites that ping your computer. Another option is to use your command line prompt in Windows to get details on the network you are on. Most find it easier to simply use a program or go online to check the IP address, as it takes literally seconds to do.
The type of IP address you have determines how quickly it will change by itself. A static IP address is one that never changes, unless a specific request is made to your Internet service provider. In that case, your request may not even be approved, even if the nature of your request is not shady. Dynamic addresses instead change each time you disconnect from the network.
You can easily mask the number that you broadcast by using a proxy. A proxy can be installed on your desktop or can be used through a web browser. Either way, the address your broadcast is either the IP address of a designated web server or a public IP address that is used among multiple people. Proxies can make some websites inaccessible, so it's best to use them with moderation.
A natural built in method of hiding IP addresses is achieved through network address translation. NAT will hide your specific IP address, and instead show a network address to others who request it. Network addresses are useful in the fact that they will make attack from an outside source harder. While it won't prevent all attacks, it will certainly keep the lesser skilled hackers out of your system. NAT is fairly standard on networks today using modern routers.
Security programs can easily mask the IP addresses that we use today. The problem is that IP addresses aren't the only type of addresses your computer uses. A MAC address is similar, but it is structured different and will not be able to be masked as easily. The address is on the hardware specifically, so it would be a hard task to change it. MAC addresses are not commonly shared, and can be safeguarded through certain programs.
Final Thoughts
You shouldn't have to fret each time you connect to the Internet and share information with others. Hiding your IP address and keeping your private details safe can be done with software out today. Best yet, programs today come both as open source and paid, so options are definitely present.
To start off, checking your IP address can be done via several means. First you can make use of websites that ping your computer. Another option is to use your command line prompt in Windows to get details on the network you are on. Most find it easier to simply use a program or go online to check the IP address, as it takes literally seconds to do.
The type of IP address you have determines how quickly it will change by itself. A static IP address is one that never changes, unless a specific request is made to your Internet service provider. In that case, your request may not even be approved, even if the nature of your request is not shady. Dynamic addresses instead change each time you disconnect from the network.
You can easily mask the number that you broadcast by using a proxy. A proxy can be installed on your desktop or can be used through a web browser. Either way, the address your broadcast is either the IP address of a designated web server or a public IP address that is used among multiple people. Proxies can make some websites inaccessible, so it's best to use them with moderation.
A natural built in method of hiding IP addresses is achieved through network address translation. NAT will hide your specific IP address, and instead show a network address to others who request it. Network addresses are useful in the fact that they will make attack from an outside source harder. While it won't prevent all attacks, it will certainly keep the lesser skilled hackers out of your system. NAT is fairly standard on networks today using modern routers.
Security programs can easily mask the IP addresses that we use today. The problem is that IP addresses aren't the only type of addresses your computer uses. A MAC address is similar, but it is structured different and will not be able to be masked as easily. The address is on the hardware specifically, so it would be a hard task to change it. MAC addresses are not commonly shared, and can be safeguarded through certain programs.
Final Thoughts
You shouldn't have to fret each time you connect to the Internet and share information with others. Hiding your IP address and keeping your private details safe can be done with software out today. Best yet, programs today come both as open source and paid, so options are definitely present.
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