What Is An IP Address?

Anyone who uses a computer has heard the term “IP Address”, but what exactly does that mean?  What is an IP Address?

 

An IP Address, or Internet Protocol Address, is the digital “address” assigned to every device connected to the Internet. Internet Protocol is the technical standard that should be followed while using the Internet.  This protocol was developed in the 1970s.

There are two versions of IP that support the computer network addressing.  They are:  Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6).  The most commonly used version is IPv4.  With this version, the IP Addresses are four bytes (or 32 bits) long.  IPv6 is the newer version, which allows IP Addresses of 16 bytes (or 128 bits) long.  Whichever version is used, the IP Address has two main purposes:  host or network interface identification and location addressing. 

IPv4 addresses are typically shown in a “dot-decimal” sequence.  They are made up of four parts, using numbers that range from 0 to 255.  Each part is separated by a decimal (or dot) and each group consists of 8 bits.  An example of this is shown below:

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is responsible for coordinating the global pool of IP Addresses and then providing them to the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) so they can be assigned to end users, including Internet service providers.  The main address pool used by IANA was depleted on February 3, 2011.  This is the date that the last blocks were assigned to the 5 RIRs.

IPv4 addresses were depleting so rapidly due to the explosive growth of the Internet, that the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) was forced to look into new technologies in order to expand the address capacities.  The solution they decided on was to completely redesign the Internet Protocol.   In 1995, IPv6 was named as a means to replace IPv4.

In this new version, the address size was increased to 128 bits from the original 32 bits.  Even considering a growth explosion, this should give a sufficient amount of available addresses well into the future.  A typical IPv6 address would look like this:

This new formula is capable of automatically changing the routing prefix of whole networks without the need to redesign or renumber the system.  This will be necessary if global routing policy changes. 

There are two types of IP Addresses; they are “static” and “dynamic”.  A “static” IP Address remains the same, while a “dynamic” IP Address can change over a period of time.

 

Another thing to consider about IP Addresses is if your IP Address is shared or dedicated.  When your IP Address is dedicated, it is only assigned to one domain and remains the same.  Most IP Addresses are shared.  Think of this as living in an apartment building.  Just as many people living in that particular building share the same address, many people connected to a specific network or server share the same IP address.

 

IP Addresses can also be “rotating”.  Like a dynamic IP Address, rotating IP Addresses change, however, they change more frequently than a dynamic IP Address.  Having an IP Address that doesn’t change, or changes infrequently makes it easier for data mining companies to track your activities.  This puts your privacy at risk.

Privacy Partners is the answer to any concerns you may have about your privacy.  By using their proxy servers, you will have a choice of several static and rotating IP Addresses, all of which have encrypted connections.  Anyone searching for your IP Address will only see that of the proxy server.  This makes it virtually impossible for you to be tracked, making your privacy more secure.

  

Privacy Partners maintains servers in the United States, Canada and the Netherlands, giving you control over where others “see” you.  Another enormous advantage of using a proxy server is that every time you use your browser, all of the information you input is encrypted.  What this means to you is that even if someone were able to intercept your data stream, it would be unreadable, therefore, worthless.  This is true whether you choose a static or rotating IP Address.  For added security, the rotating IP Addresses are changed automatically every 30 minutes. 

 

There are “free”, public proxy servers available, however, these are not always run by ethical individuals.   Anyone running these servers can monitor all of your Internet activity, which makes it possible to gain access to your personal information.  Since they are public,  anyone can access these servers.  The servers used by Private Proxy are all individually owned, so only their clients can gain access to them.   If a person does not have a Privacy Partners username or password, that person will be denied access.

Even when you become a client of Privacy Partners, you are not locked into using their servers every time you surf the net.  If, from time to time, you decide you want to surf the net using the IP Address originally assigned to your computer, you can.  You are able to sign on or off their servers at your discretion. 

 

Multiple servers, encryption, rotating IP Addresses and privately owned servers are just some of the benefits of choosing Privacy Partners for your Internet needs. Visit Privacy Partners today and you can be surfing the net, shopping online and gaming with complete confidence that your privacy is safe. 

 

At this time, I would like to ask that you take a few minutes of your time and download the FREE 7-day trial of Private Proxy Software to see for yourself how easy it is to use and the benefits that it offers.