How to check your IP address on Windows, Mac, phones, and routers?

An IP address is a unique number assigned to every device connected to a network, enabling communication between that device and others on a local network or the internet. Knowing your IP address can be crucial, especially concerning network security and privacy. Depending on the type of device and network configuration, checking your IP address can vary. In this article, we’ll discuss how to find your IP address on Windows, Mac, phones, and routers.

What is an IP address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique number that your internet service provider assigns to your network. It can be likened to an online equivalent of a home address, as it serves to identify your device among many others on the network.

How does an IP address direct data to the correct destination? Since your computer operates with numbers, when you type a website address into your browser (e.g., example.com), it first looks up the corresponding IP address (e.g., example.com = 103.86.98.1). It then locates the site on the internet and loads it to display its content on your screen.

Who owns IP addresses?

IP addresses aren’t random. They are determined using precise algorithms and allocated by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), operating under the oversight of ICANN. This is a non-profit organisation established in the USA in 1998, aiming to maintain internet security and ensure access to its resources for everyone.

What is the difference between a public and private IP address?

A public IP address is an internet protocol number assigned to your router by your internet service provider (ISP), allowing a direct connection to the internet. This enables identification of the user from anywhere in the world.

On the other hand, a private IP address differs on each device, as each has a unique address within the local network. A private IP address is used to identify a device within a home or business LAN and is utilised solely within that specific network.

Having both a public and private IP address serves to separate traffic on the local network from traffic on the public internet.

A private IP address is a unique, static number assigned by the local router to every device in an organisation, which doesn’t change regardless of how and where the connection is made. It enables secure communication with other devices within the private network.

Conversely, the public IP address is used across the internet to identify the user, for example, when accessing external resources. In a private network, communication is protected thanks to the private IP address, which operates only within that network.

A guide to verifying your IP address

Checking your IP address can often prove useful in technical situations such as diagnosing problems, configuring devices, or resolving network setting issues.

How to check your public IP address?

IP addresses are assigned based on geographical location, similar to telephone area codes. You can verify this by using our website, tuxlervpn.com, where a black bar at the top displays your IP address and information about its security.

How to check your IP address on Windows?

To find your computer’s IP address and router address on Windows 10, go to the Control Panel, select Network and Internet, and then open the Network and Sharing Centre. Next, click on your Wi-Fi network on the right side, next to Connections, and choose the Details function. Your computer’s IP address is listed next to IPv4 Address, and the router’s address can be found next to IPv4 Default Gateway.

How to check your IP on a Mac?

First, click the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen, then select System Preferences and go to the Network tab. Next, click on Advanced and pick the TCP/IP tab. Your computer’s IP address is displayed next to IPv4 Address, and the router’s address appears on the right, next to Router.

How to check your IP on an iPhone?

First, open Settings, then select Wi-Fi. After clicking the circle icon next to the name of the network you’re connected to, your IP address will be visible under the DHCP tab.

How to check your IP on Android?

On Android phones, you can check the local IP address. To find your phone’s IP address on the local network, go to Settings, select Wi-Fi, click the name of the network you’re connected to, and then go to the connection details. There you’ll find the IP address assigned to your device within the local network.

How to change your IP address?

It’s essential to be aware of your presence on the internet. Just as you wouldn’t leave your house keys unattended, protecting your IP address helps safeguard your privacy. While there are several methods to secure or hide your IP address, three are the most effective.

VPN network

Choosing a trusted VPN network is the simplest and safest way to hide your IP address. A VPN masks your location and encrypts your traffic, making it difficult to track your online activity. TuxlerVPN can be set up in minutes, granting you access to over 7,000 VPN servers worldwide.

When using a VPN, data is transmitted through secure tunnels, passing through other servers before reaching its destination. Your real IP address is replaced with another, providing an extra layer of protection. This technology ensures data encryption and a no-logs policy.

Proxy servers

A proxy server can be likened to a mask that hides your IP address. It acts as an intermediary between your internet data and its destinations, altering the appearance of that data as it passes through the proxy server. Typically, a proxy intercepts traffic related to web browsing and accesses the necessary resources. However, proxy servers do not encrypt your data and often operate more slowly.

Manual change

You can also change your IP address manually by modifying your device’s settings. The simplest way to automatically assign a new IP address is to temporarily disconnect your home router. After unplugging and reconnecting, the router may obtain a new IP address from your ISP’s DHCP server.

However, remember that the time your router needs to be disconnected depends on the IP address lease period. This approach doesn’t provide the same level of privacy offered by a VPN or proxy server.

IP addresses and network security

IP addresses are used to locate devices on a network, which means they can be useful to cybercriminals for illegal purposes. Therefore, it’s important to know your IP addresses, both local and public, and manage them consciously. You can protect your IP address using tools like VPNs, which mask your public IP address, keeping your online location and identity anonymous.

Dynamic IP addresses, commonly used by internet providers, can change each time you connect to the network, which further enhances security. Fixed IP addresses, however, may be more susceptible to attacks, so in such cases, it’s worth considering additional security layers like firewalls or VPNs.

Checking your IP address—whether on a computer, phone, or router—is an important skill that allows for a better understanding of network functionality and increased security. On both Windows and Mac systems, as well as mobile devices, this process is simple and intuitive, and the available tools within operating systems make it easy to find IP address information. Understanding the difference between a public and private IP address can help you better manage your home network and protect against online threats.

BackNext article