IP Address Guides
Short, plain-English answers about IP addresses, privacy and networking. Or start with the frequently asked questions.
- What is an IP address?
An IP address is the number that identifies a device on a network. Here is what it is, what it looks like and what it can and cannot tell anyone. - What is IPv6, and how is it different from IPv4?
IPv6 is the newer version of the Internet Protocol, with far more addresses than IPv4. See how the two differ and whether you already use IPv6. - Public vs private IP addresses
Public IP addresses face the internet, private ones stay inside your network. Learn the difference, the private ranges and why your devices show a different address. - How to hide your IP address
The practical ways to hide your IP address from websites, with what a VPN, a proxy, Tor and mobile data actually hide and what they leave visible. - How to find your IP address on any device
Find your public and private IP address on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android and your router, with the exact steps for each. - Static vs dynamic IP addresses
A static IP address never changes, a dynamic one can. Learn the difference, which you probably have and when a static address is worth having. - How accurate is IP geolocation?
IP geolocation is accurate for the country and often the city, but never your street. See why it can be wrong and what affects it. - What is an ASN, and what does an ISP lookup show?
An ASN identifies the network that owns a block of IP addresses. See what the ASN, organisation and ISP in a lookup mean and how to read them. - What is reverse DNS?
Reverse DNS turns an IP address back into a hostname. See how it works, what a PTR record is and why mail servers care. - CIDR notation and subnet masks explained
What the slash number in /24 means, how a subnet mask relates to it and how many addresses a network holds, with a worked example. - VPN vs proxy vs Tor: what is the difference?
A side-by-side comparison of VPNs, proxies and Tor: what each hides, what it leaves visible, how fast it is and who you have to trust. - Can someone find me from my IP address?
What a person can and cannot learn from your IP address, who can link it to you and how to reduce the risks. - How to change your IP address
Simple ways to get a different IP address: restart your router, switch network, use a VPN or ask your provider. - What is 127.0.0.1 (localhost)?
127.0.0.1 is the loopback address that always points back to your own device. Learn what localhost means and how developers use it. - What is 192.168.1.1? Finding your router login
192.168.1.1 is a common private address for home routers. See how to log in, what to do if it does not work and how to find the right address.