Websites can easily pinpoint your location on a map through an address you are broadcasting, even as you read this article. This is done through IP address location techniques, and should be considered a security threat. Knowing what IP addresses are and how they function will make you more aware of your options.

Check your IP address to see what you are broadcasting. Online websites will be able to do a quick check instantly, and for free as well. Websites can also give you helpful information such as where IP technology claims you are located. If it hits too close to home, you should start looking at your options in securing your IP address against location tactics.

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.

We have all heard of web proxies that allow students and workers to get past network restrictions. Proxies work by hiding the real IP address, and instead giving the IP address of the Internet server that runs it. A list of public proxies can also be obtained so that you can run a program from your desktop to hide your IP address. This method is more versatile, but can also cost money.

Routing technologies have improved a good bit since a decade ago. Today we can use a network service called NAT, which stands for network address translation. NAT technology isn’t perfect in providing security, it just helps the process. It’s original goal is to actually cut down on the amount of IP addresses connected to the Internet at a given time, not provide security. The IP address you broadcast will appear as the same for any computer on the network to outside sources.

Your IP address can easily be masked or changed, but consider your MAC address as another topic of security. MAC addresses can’t change without some heavy engineering tactics, so they are generally a better metric in determining where your computer is. Through ideas such as network address translation, this information can be kept hidden automatically. Be careful who you give such information to.

Closing Comments

You won’t have to read up on advanced computer topics to keep private on the Internet. Just know the basics of Internet protocol addresses and how they function. Knowing how to mask them will be a skill that is rewarded via satisfaction in know your privacy isn’t up in arms.

Learn more about Change My IP Address and IP Address.