How to find out your IP-address

How does a regular user find out their IP? Tp answer this question, first, you need to understand what does IP mean and why does an individual code is assigned to computers and internet-devices. We hope, that after reading this article the term will stop being just a set of letters and numbers and you will easily be able to find out your IP without the help of experts.

What is an IP-address?

All computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones and other gadgets, as well as office equipment from networks, where they constantly exchange data. In order for data to go in the correct direction, its destination needs to be set correctly. The simple analogy is sending a letter and writing full address with post code on the envelope. IP – is a unique number for each device in the global net, which basically determines its location. IP means Internet Protocol Address.

IP is 4 numbers from 0 to 255, divided by dots, for example 193.233.2.1. These digits is an individual code of a hub in the computer network, based on TCP/IP protocol. The net “understands” where to send the data or where it came from because of this code.

Reference. Protocol – is this is a common, consistent method of transmitting data or establishing communication between computer devices. People can communicate and understand each other when speaking the same language, computers use protocols to “communicate”. Protocol TCP/IP is one of the most popular protocols.

External and internal IP-addresses

All IP addresses are divided into internal and external by their affiliation with local and global networks.

  • External are used in the global network Internet. They are available to all users. With their help you can gain access to, for example, you router.
  • Internal are only used in local networks: certain provider, home, organization, etc. In a local network users can exchange information by all means, but access to their devices from the Internet will be closed.

Reference. why doesn't one permanent set of IP-addresses exist? Because the number of office equipment and internet gadgets constantly changes. Besides that, because the amount is so great, “usual” identifiers have long since run out.

Dynamic and static IP-addresses

Attention. Do not confuse with “white” and “grey” IP-addresses, despite the similarity of terms.

  • Static is given once too a specific machine, it assigned to that machine, it can't be changed or be given to anyone else. The address is assigned in the settings of network card of the device, or in the settings of DHCP-server. Usually it is a router. Static IP-addresses are usually assigned to curtail operating stations which need uninterrupted access to the network, their work is only possible with constant IP-address. For example, servers, printers etc.
  • Dynamic changes every time you access the network. It is assigned from a certain range for a set period of time of being in the network. Usually this is done by the same DHCP-server, or router, which automatically makes sure that the same code isn't given to different devices in the same period of time. Dynamic addresses are assigned to computers, smartphones, laptops, tablets etc. It's especially relevant when using Wi-Fi, because new devices constantly enter network.

How to find out external IP-address?

It is very easy. Open your browser and start a search “my IP”. Your external identifier will appear above all the search results.

How to change your external IP-address?

Method 1. If your computer has static address, try contacting your provider and inquire a change of address. As practice shows, this possibility exists, but you can only change IP once.

Method 2. Reboot your router. As most addresses are dynamic, your IP will change. You can also go to router settings, turn off provider's settings and turn them on again.

Method 3. If a computer or a laptop is connected directly to provider's cable, go to “network and sharing center”, then go to “change adapter settings”. Right click on your provider, click on “disable”. After that click “Enable”. Address will change. Sometimes it needs sometime to happen.

Method 4. Use a proxy-server. This method isn't simple and in most cases – not free. (Using free ones doesn't guarantee successful results), setting will also be rather difficult for general users.

How to find out internal IP-address?

How to find out IP-address on Windows?

In order to determine your internal IP-address on Windows, go to Control Panel in “Start” – “Network and Internet” - “Network and sharing center” choose “View Network status and tasks”. A list of networks will appear, choose active one, in the appeared window click on “properties”, another window will appear, where you can find your local IP-address.

How yo find out IP-address on Mac OS?

First open “system settings” – “newtwork”, on the side panel choose active connection, internal IP will be under the status of connection in a special window.

How to find out IP-address on Android?

Go to Settings – About phone – status. In this window you can see line of IP-address and your number.

How to find out IP-address on iOS?

Go to Settings – Wi-Fi next to active connection tap on information icon, new window with information will appear, where you can see IP-address.

How to find out someone else's IP-address?

You can find out someone else's numeral identifier in regular e-mail. To do that open the letter of a sender you want to know information of. In the open letter, in the line above click on three dots icon (…) or “ more ” (depending on what mail service you have mail.ru or yandex mail) – properties of letter. A page will open with a lot of confusing data, find a line

Received: from mxfront3q.mail.yandex.net (localhost [127.0.0.1])

by mxfront3q.mail.yandex.net with LMTP id 5SDam0K5my-mc.us19_101498334.335089.5e6893f6bfbcd.full_000001

for <[email protected]>; Wed, 11 Mar 2020 10:32:13 +0300

Received: from mail19.suw11.mcdlv.net (mail19.suw11.mcdlv.net [198.2.190.19])

And get information that we need.

In Outlook, right click on the letter, choose “ Options” . Sometimes this might not be possible, then just enter into “What do you want to do” phrase “Message options” and they will open. In options we can see familiar set of number sad letters.

Finding out your IP is not difficult and very useful. Why? Average user might need this information on a number of occasions. For example, to remotely connect to their home computer and copy a needed file, or to set up Internet connection again after rebooting the system without the help of a specialist. In any case, knowing IP might come in handy