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XWhat is an IP address?
The IP address stands for Internet Protocol address. Every device connected to the web has this specific numerical name.
In a few words, an IP address is similar to your home address, but it serves to locate and identify all particular devices you use.
In a few words, an IP address is similar to your home address, but it serves to locate and identify all particular devices you use.
IP-Lookup
By knowing your IP address, hackers can gain a lot of information about you. Below is just a tiny part ;)
Public vs. Private IP address
What’s the difference between public and private IP addresses?
Despite many similarities, the IP addresses are not the same and have some differences in how they work.
Local IP addresses, also known as private IP addresses, are used in the local address space, behind a router or server.
The private IP address allows the router to determine your device and where to send back the data.
The private IP address allows the router to determine your device and where to send back the data.
How does private IP address work?
A public IP address lets you communicate online and this is what a website sees when you connect to it. Public IP addresses are also used in free Wi-Fi hotspots.
Since the public IP address is exposed, it is vulnerable to privacy breaches, cyber-attacks, and even identity thefts. That's why its protection is a serious matter.
Since the public IP address is exposed, it is vulnerable to privacy breaches, cyber-attacks, and even identity thefts. That's why its protection is a serious matter.
How does public IP address work?
There are two types of IP addresses, IP Version 4 (IPv4) and IP Version 6 (IPv6).
Let's check how they differ from each other
Let's check how they differ from each other
The difference between IPv4 and IPv6
IPv4 is the first design of internet protocol that was created in 1982. Although it is still in use today but isn't widespread because it only supports 4 billion addresses and uses 32 bits.
The more recent IPv6 protocol can support up to 340 billion IP addresses. It is more than sufficient to meet the increasing demand for new IP addresses on the internet.
Since it is incompatible with websites that use IPv4 and vice versa, IPv6 is not as commonly used as it could be.
The more recent IPv6 protocol can support up to 340 billion IP addresses. It is more than sufficient to meet the increasing demand for new IP addresses on the internet.
Since it is incompatible with websites that use IPv4 and vice versa, IPv6 is not as commonly used as it could be.
IPv4 vs. IPv6
Deployed
1981
1999
Address size
32-bit number
128-bit number
Address format
124.47.85.26
4038:5cd8:49b4:2840:4739
TCp IP 4
TCp IP 6
Deployed
Address size
Address format
4038:5cd8:49b4:
2840:4739
2840:4739
What can be revealed?
What can my IP address tell about me?
Your IP might initially provide a lot of information about you, such as
Location info:
- Country
- State
- City
- Zip Code
- State
- City
- Zip Code
Device info:
- Fingerprints
- Cookies
- Metadata
- Device manufacturer
- Cookies
- Metadata
- Device manufacturer
Your IP and cookies can be used for targeting online ads and tracking your online activity.
Without a VPN, your actual IP address is exposed to anyone interested in such information. It's possible for hackers to find out to which ISP (Internet Service Provider) belongs your IP address. All this information can be traced back to your account with ISP and can lead to possible leak of the following sensitive data:
- Your Name
- Home address
- Phone number
- Credit card number
- Credit history
- Home address
- Phone number
- Credit card number
- Credit history
and much more. That’s why it is vital to hide and protect your actual IP address.
Data retention as a breach of privacy
“Data retention” means recording and storing your information for a specified period of time. It is primarily relevant to businesses that store data to service their customers and comply with government or industry regulations.
Strict censorship combined with data retention might result in fines or even imprisonment in some countries with authoritarian policies.
If you make the VPN a part of your digital privacy and security, it can prevent data retention no matter where you are.
Strict censorship combined with data retention might result in fines or even imprisonment in some countries with authoritarian policies.
If you make the VPN a part of your digital privacy and security, it can prevent data retention no matter where you are.
How hackers can use my IP
How can someone get access to your IP
- Your email
Your email: Some email servers can reveal your IP in the email heading. Try to avoid using such email providers.
- Your computer
If you give your device to someone even for a couple of minutes, it could be enough to find your IP address in the settings
- Phishing attacks
Clicking on fake links from suspicious emails or sms can make you vulnerable to hackers very likely.
- Torrent files
When you download/upload data via Torrent apps your IP address is visible in the peer's list. You can bypass it by using VPN.
- Online ads
It's not necessary for a fake link to gather your IP address. If you click on an ad, even one that is lawful, it might collect this data. We call this adware.
- Router Vulnerabilities
Your router’s default password and other vulnerabilities can become a perfect opportunity for hackers to get access to it and view your IP address.
How can someone use my IP?
Your IP address can be used in many ways, here are the most common of them:
Including phone numbers, SSN, email, birthday, and other vital for identity theft data.
Discover personal information about you
Since the IP address indicates the city, where you are, it’s not a huge deal for skilled hackers to figure out your actual address.
Learn your geographic location
It can also be an issue since experienced hackers can impersonate your online activity through your address instead of their own.
Frame you for crimes
Advertisers are becoming smarter every day and it’s not uncommon for them to embed tracking programs, e.g to online articles.
Personalized ads sending
Netflix and other popular online services only offer access to the episodes and films available in that country.
Other businesses charge various prices based on your location.
Other businesses charge various prices based on your location.
Limit the services you can access
Why should I change IP?
Why should I change my IP address?
Apart from the issues described on the previous page, the reasons could be as follows:
Prevent websites from following you for ad purposes
Evade IP bans and avoid IP-linked download limits
Prevent ISP/government censorship
Access geo-restricted content from your home country while you’re abroad
Why is DNS leak protection so important?
DNS, or the Domain Name System, translates human-readable domain names (e.g www.vpnrentals.com) to machine-readable IP addresses (e.g 234.1. 3.46).
VPN creates a tunnel between the client and the VPN server.
During an active VPN session, the data is encrypted, and the user's IP address is replaced with another one.
However, if the VPN is set up improperly, or the OS limitations are not considered, it may leak DNS queries to the ISP or even reveal your IP.
VPN creates a tunnel between the client and the VPN server.
During an active VPN session, the data is encrypted, and the user's IP address is replaced with another one.
However, if the VPN is set up improperly, or the OS limitations are not considered, it may leak DNS queries to the ISP or even reveal your IP.
How do I hide/change my IP?
Actually, it’s not a big deal at all. All you need to do is download our VPN Rentals app. We’ll take care of the rest.
Without VPN
With VPN
FAQ
Changing your IP using VPN is legal, moreover, it is a safe and easy way to protect your online privacy.
No, it's not. Public Wi-Fi networks can be easily hacked and scanned due to a low level of security.All your traffic becomes vulnerable to leak and decoding, which can eventually lead to compromised passwords.
With VPN, all your traffic goes via an encrypted tunnel that sufficiently increases the safety of using public Wi-Fi hotspots.
With VPN, all your traffic goes via an encrypted tunnel that sufficiently increases the safety of using public Wi-Fi hotspots.
No. You can easily infect your device with malware if you're not careful online, even if you're connected to a VPN. Some VPN providers do offer malware blocking and anti-phishing features that help guard against these types of threats, but it's ultimately up to you to practice basic cyber hygiene and protect yourself from malware.