What is IP address

1.IP address

An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.^[1][2]An IP address serves two main functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing.

Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) defines an IP address as a 32-bit number.^[2] However, because of the growth of the Internet and the depletion of available IPv4 addresses, a new version of IP (IPv6), using 128 bits for the IP address, was standardized in 1998.^[3][4][5] IPv6 deployment has been ongoing since the mid-2000s.

IP addresses are written and displayed in human-readable notations, such as 172.16.254.1 in IPv4, and 2001:db8:0:1234:0:567:8:1 in IPv6. The size of the routing prefix of the address is designated in CIDR notation by suffixing the address with the number of significant bits, e.g., 192.168.1.15/24, which is equivalent to the historically used subnet mask 255.255.255.0.

The IP address space is managed globally by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority(IANA), and by five regional Internet registries(RIRs) responsible in their designated territories for assignment to local Internet registries, such as Internet service providers, and other end users. IPv4 addresses were distributed by IANA to the RIRs in blocks of approximately 16.8 million addresses each, but have been exhausted at the IANA level since 2011. Only one of the RIRs still has a supply for local assignments in Africa.^[6]

Network administrators assign an IP address to each device connected to a network. Such assignments may be on a static (fixed or permanent) or dynamic basis, depending on network practices and software features.

2.Here's why they want your IP.

A business may want to know your IP address because they simply want to run in through an IP lookup service to find out where "you" are located.

Fraudsters try to hide behind
an IP address.

They actually have a pretty good reason.

Let's say an online retail customer whose mailing address says, "New York, NY" and buys thousands of dollars of fancy merchandise from a company. However when that company captures the customer's IP address, it figures out his location is really Russia or China. That's a real problem.

3. How anyone get your IP address

It gets better.

In fact, it's common for advertisers, companies and service websites to "grab" your IP addresses if you're visiting their site or if you click on ads on their website.

They are some common things

1

By borrowing your computer or smart device. If somebody uses or borrows your computer, they can find out your IP address simply by going to WhatIsMyIPaddres.com. It pops right up.

2

By tapping into your wireless network. If you're home network isn't well secure, a stranger can tap into your wireless network. Also, if you let a guest use your network (you provide the password) they will know your IP address.

3

They pluck it out of your email. Relax: Most Internet/email providers today no longer include the IP address of someone sending an email. But smaller Internet Service Providers or people who set up their own email server which might still be revealing their IP address. Try our trace email tool to see.

4

Through an email HTML Bug. Thanks for your interest. This bug isn't a virus or malicious. It's simply a piece of code imbedded in an image that's included with an email you read. If you view the image (often just be opening the email), the bug simply tells the sender that you read the email...and it also provides your IP address. There are even services that help people set up email bugs like this. Check out WhoReadMe.com.

5

From web server logs. Here's how the Internet works: Every time you visit a website, you leave your IP address. After all, it's your digital pass to connect online. A website can (if they wish) scour their Web-server computers to review all the IP addresses, just to see the reach of their message or who's a repeat visitor.

And many more types they get your IP address