IP address—that strange string of numbers and letters you see in the browser address bar when you open your web browser—is what lets you access any website on the internet. In this article, we will tell you what is my IP and how will you find my IP address.
What is an IP address?
An IP address, or Internet Protocol address, is a unique numeric label assigned to each device (e.g., computer, tablet, smartphone) connected to the Internet. Each address consists of four numbers between 0 and 255 separated by periods (i.e., 192.168.1.1). When connected to the internet, the Internet Protocol address allows the computers to send and receive information.
IPv6 and IPv4
| Specification | IPv6 | IPv4 |
|---|---|---|
| Define | IPv6 addresses are alphanumeric and separated by columns (:) | IPv4 addresses consist of four one- to three-digit numerals separated by a dot. |
| Number of binary bits | 128 binary bits | 32 binary bits |
| For Example | 2001:0db8:0000:0000:0000:ff00:0042:7879 | 208.80. 154.224 |
How to Find Your IP Address?
Using the Command Prompt
- Navigate to the Start Menu and then type CMD then hit Enter
- Now, enter the following command and press Enter:
In Windows
- Navigate to Start Menu > Settings > Network & Internet.
- Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on whether you’re connected wirelessly or via an Ethernet cable
- Click Network and your address will appear in the next window, in the entry IPv4 address.
On Mac
- Click the Apple menu.
- Select System Preferences and then click Network.
- Then, choose your network connection from the menu.
- For an Ethernet or USB connection, your local IP address will be shown.
- For a Wi-Fi connection, you’ll see your address shown under the connection status.
How to Protect my IP address?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the best way to hide your public Internet Protocol address and hide your physical location. It routes your Internet traffic through another server with a different IP address, which gives you a new Internet Protocol from an entirely different part of the world.