What is an IP address and how does it work?

In today's internet age, it's easy to take the online world for granted. We click a link, and within moments, we see a website, a video, or a message from a friend. But few people ponder what happens in the background. The answer lies in what is sometimes a mysterious IP address. What is it and how does it work?

What is an IP address?

An IP address (short for Internet Protocol Address) is essentially a unique identification number assigned to every device connected to the internet. You can think of it as a unique address of your house, which enables the postal worker to deliver a letter to you.

In this case, however, the IP address allows computers and servers worldwide to communicate and exchange data.

What does an IP address look like?

There are two main types of IP addresses, namely IPv4 and IPv6. The older and more widespread IPv4 version consists of four blocks of numbers separated by dots, where each number ranges from 0 to 255. A typical IPv4 address looks like this, for example, 192.168.1.100.

The new IPv6 standard was introduced due to the shortage of available IPv4 addresses. IPv6 addresses are longer and more complex, consisting of eight groups of hexadecimal numbers separated by colons (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).

How does an IP address work in practice?

When you enter a web address (e.g., www.google.com) into your browser, your computer first contacts a DNS server (Domain Name System), which functions like the internet's phone book.

The DNS server translates the domain name (google.com) into the corresponding IP address of the server where the website is hosted.

Then your computer sends a request to this IP address, and the server responds by sending the requested data, i.e., the Google website, to your computer's IP address. This entire process occurs within milliseconds, allowing you to enjoy uninterrupted internet browsing.

Public vs. private IP address

In the IT world, a distinction is made between public and private IP addresses. Your internet service provider assigns you a public IP address, which is visible to the entire internet.

On the other hand, you use a private IP address within your home network to identify individual devices (computer, phone, printer). The router, which connects your home network to the internet, acts as an intermediary and translates communication between the public and private IP address.

How can you hide your IP address?

Although an IP address is essential for internet operation, there are situations where you may want to protect your online identity and hide your IP address. Fortunately, there are several ways to do this.

One option is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN creates an encrypted connection between your device and the VPN server. All your internet traffic then passes through this server, and your real IP address is replaced by the IP address of the VPN server.

As a result, it is more challenging for websites and services you visit to determine your actual location and identity. Another option is to use a proxy server. Similar to a VPN, a proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet.

However, a proxy server does not encrypt your traffic, making it less secure than a VPN. Nevertheless, a proxy server can also hide your real IP address by displaying the proxy server's IP address to the website.

An IP address is a fundamental building block of how the internet functions. It allows billions of devices worldwide to connect and communicate. Although it is a relatively technical concept, understanding the basic principles of how an IP address works can help you better understand how the internet operates and how you can protect your privacy.