What is IP?
IP, also called IP address, is an abbreviation of Internet Protocol address or Internet protocol addresses, which are a series of numbers to any device (for example, servers, personal computers, mobile devices, etc.) It is assigned to connect to the network.
The IP address consists of a series of numbers and digits placed with a special rule and grammar to provide a unique identification number to establish a network connection, with which different devices are distinguished. In other words, Each device in each network must have a unique IP, which can be private (such as computers in a company’s local network) or Public (such as devices connected to the World Wide Web).
A clearer example of understanding the IP address is the postal code, which is unique for every house. The IP address is also unique for each device.
Where do you need a specific address or IP?
The IP address makes sense at the network level, meaning that IP is more fundamental than the web, applications, and the Internet.
Each of them needs to have a specific address to connect two or three computers that form a network and communicate with each other.
To connect several computers in different places through the international network (Internet), addressing is required. Also, the connection of mobile phones and applications, the connection of applications and servers, and the connection of websites or links to each other, all these things need to be addressed.
For this reason, we say that IP is an infrastructure concept at the network level, and everything built on the network’s infrastructure is somehow related to the IP address.
Different types of IP address
IPs are grouped into different categories, all of which we will explore below, but one of the most famous categories we may come across is the difference in IP version number. Generally, there are currently two versions. We have different IPs:
- IP version 4 (IPv4)
- IP version 6 (IPv6)
It is interesting to know that the IP formation process of version 6 has an interesting story. When the number of devices in the network increased due to the lack of unique addresses used in the network, experts sought to solve this problem. After much research, they decided to create a version that introduced a new IP type with a larger number of addresses. This IP address version 6 came into being; in the following, we will examine these two cases in detail and explain the differences each to you.
IPv4 structure
There are three common ways to display IPv4 addresses:
- Decimal (number in base 10)
- Hexadecimal (number in base 16)
- Binary (number in base 2)
The easiest and most convenient IP address display for humans is its decimal type, i.e., display in base 10, which we deal with daily in the form of ordinary numbers.
The length of IP version 4 is 32 bits, which are divided into 8 bits and 8 bits separated by dots (.) the general format of IP version 4 is as follows:
___ . ___ . ___ . ___
Each part of the above IP separated by a dot is called an Octa, meaning 8, because each of the separated parts is equal to 8 bits (equivalent to one byte) and can take a number in the range of 0 to 255. So the IP range of version 4 is from 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255.
IPv6 structure
In version 6 of IP, we face a more complex structure, i.e., a 128-bit phrase, where the numbers are divided into eight 16-bit parts and separated by a colon (:).
In IPv6, the base of 16 or hexadecimal numbers is used, so in addition to the numbers 0 to 9 that are usually used in IP, instead of the numbers 10 to 15, the letters A to F are placed in order, each 16-bit part has a range of 0000 Holds up to FFFF.
It is also important to note that the entire section can be omitted for simplicity in reading IPv6 in sections where every 16 bits are equal to 0. For example, the following addresses are exactly equal:
BA:D3:0:CA23:9C5A
BA:D3:0:0:0:0:CA23:9C5A
As we said, network experts decided to use IPv6 due to the limitation in the number of IP version 4, so with this description, the number of unique addresses in version 6 of IP can be calculated, which number will be almost astronomical. The total number of unique IP addresses in IP version 6 equals 2128 unique IPs.
Does moving to IP version 6 affect users?
Maybe this question comes to our mind that this transfer that we talked about has an impact on the daily affairs related to computers and the Internet of end users or not?
Do we need to do anything special?
The answer to this question is that, as the end user, this transfer is hidden from our views in many ways and is done by communication companies and servers, but if there is network-based software installed in our system a long time ago. Those who still use old technologies may need to make updates. Still, in general, the migration from IPs version 4 to IPs version 6 can guarantee the future life of the web and, therefore, its possible troubles (more for the company and much less for users).
What are dynamic and static IPs?
It is possible to name the IPs in a division in two ways: Dynamic and Static. This naming is related to the way and duration of the IP address.
Dynamic IP
Dynamic IP means that every time a device is connected to the Internet, an identification number is assigned to it, which is actually from a range of addresses belonging to the ISP and automatically under server protocols. Like DHCP, the abbreviation of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is selected. Hence, this type of IP is the information of the service provider who purchases and owns the series of addresses and assigns them to different users on a rotating basis.
Static IP
On the other hand, there is another type of use of Internet addresses, which is usually assigned to a computer (usually a server) over a long time. The IP address does not change when the device is disconnected or connected to the network and is fixed, so it is possible to Establish a more stable connection for other servers connected to the network or other users who intend to connect with that server using IP.
What is the use of static IP?
Static IPs have specific uses on the Internet, such as establishing certain functions such as VOIP, Voice Over Internet Protocol, online games, and everything that requires easier positioning on the Internet. For this reason, these types of addresses may be To identify and track more easily may be attacked by malicious attacks or other abuses, which depends to a large extent on compliance with security issues on the server. It should be noted that dynamic and static IPs have no difference in structure, and only the type of user and the duration of their use causes them to be called dynamic or static.
What is a valid and invalid IP?
Another term used to divide Internet Protocol addresses is valid and invalid IP, which is the basis of this relative division based on the ability to use IP in the network in question. Validity of IP means all the addresses we can use in communication under a particular network. This network can be private or public networks. On the other hand, there are IP addresses. For various reasons, we cannot use them in connection under a specific network, called invalid IPs or Invalid IPs. Among the reasons for IPs being invalid and invalid can be the following:
Reserved Addresses
The IANA organization, short for Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, has considered a special series of IP addresses for use in private networks, whose use is not valid for the World Wide Web. And in other words, these addresses are invalid for use on the Internet. Invalid) (note that these types of IPs are valid in private networks).
IP address classes
This IP address series includes three classes named A, B, and C. Series A starts from 10.0.0.0 and ends at 10.255.255.255 with a total of 16,777,216 possible IP addresses. Series B starts from 172.16.0.0 and ends at 172.31.255.255 with several 1,048,576. Finally, series C starts from 192.168.0.0 and ends at 192.168.255.255, with several 65,536 using this. The series of IPs for communication in the Internet network is invalid.
Address Conflicts
Another reason for the invalidity of using IP addresses is the conflict between them. As we said before, IP is a unique number in the network; accordingly, two devices in the same network cannot have the same address. For this reason, if an IP has already been set for a device and that device is online, we cannot use that IP to connect another device to the same network, and we say that the IP is invalid in this situation. This usually happens in local networks that use a limited range of addresses.
Special, default, and experimental series
The IANA organization, short for Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, has considered a special series of IP addresses for special purposes that are not valid for other purposes. And in other words, this category of addresses is invalid, including the address that All its four parts are zero, that is, 0.0.0.0 as Default Routing.
Addresses whose last three parts are zero, for example 192.0.0.0, 172.0.0.0, 128.0.0.0, 10.0.0.0, 1.0.0.0 as Network Address,
Addresses whose last part is 255, for example, 192.168.1.255, 128.255.255.255, 1.255.255.255 as Broadcast Address,
Addresses whose first part is 127, for example, 127.255.255.255, 127.0.0.0 as Loopback or Self-testing Address, and the addresses of the series 169.254.0.1 to 169.254.255.254 as APIPA stand for Automatic Private IP Addressing, which is a feature in the Windows operating system and automatically assigns IP addresses to devices connected to the network when DHCP is not available. (mostly in small local networks with a maximum of 25 users).
What are Public and Private IPs?
Another category that we can consider for IP addresses is the term Public and Private IP, which is based on the ability to use the address in the global web network (Internet). Based on this, any IP address that we can use If we use it in the World Wide Web, it will be called Public, and the IP in other local networks is called Private, based on the division of the IANA organization that we have seen before, private IP addresses include three different classes, which are Names A, B and C are named,
Series A starts from 10.0.0.0 and ends at 10.255.255.255 with 16,777,216 possible IPs.
Series B starts from number 172.16.0.0 and ends at number 172.31.255.255 with the number of 1,048,576
And finally, the C series starts from the number 192.168.0.0 and ends at the number 192.168.255.255 with the number 65,536.
Note: Each of these divisions has a specific basis, so the IP series in different definitions are common in some cases.
How to hide the IP address?
Reasons that could justify your interest in hiding your IP address include hiding your geographic location, preventing web tracking, avoiding leaving a digital footprint or passing any content filters, banning, and blocklisting.
Four ways to hide your IP address:
- Using a VPN service
- Using Tor
- Use a proxy server
- Use free or public WiFi
Using a VPN service (the best way)
By using VPN services, you show the world a different IP address when you go online. The address you borrow from the VPN service provider There are many advantages to using a VPN instead of proxy servers, including faster bandwidth, greater usability, secure connection, and private connection to blocked sites. And the ability to choose the country and city where you want to appear.
Using the Tor browser (the slowest way)
People worldwide use Tor to search and buy products and communicate with people with access restrictions, which is the case in many countries around the world. The Tor browser is a free software program you download from the Internet that can completely hide your IP address every time you go online. This free process is hidden by multi-layer encryption, which means your data is layered for security and privacy protection.
Using a proxy server (risky method)
A proxy server can be used to redirect your browser to bypass content filters. Many risks involve using free proxies to change your IP address, such as slowing down your internet connection, running on compromised machines, and being illegal in some countries.
Use of free and public WiFi connection
As we said, an IP address does not travel with you. So if you go to a coffee shop, bookstore or hotel and connect to their WiFi, you have temporarily hidden your permanent IP address. How about You use their Internet IP address as long as you are in that area?
Is it possible to know someone’s location using the IP address?
Your IP address is something like a beacon in the Internet world. Your IP address gives websites and people you interact with online more than just a number, more than an IP address. This address allows them to trace your IP address to you if they want to. To be clear, they can get your geolocation through this address. Of course, you should know that 99% of the time, no one (and no website) will enter your IP address into any IP tracking platform to see where you are. But the same one percent may happen sometimes. No one knows.
Summary…
The bottom line is that anyone can find your place. Although a website or even a person (even an acquaintance you sent an email to) can’t find your home address from your IP address, they can usually get a clear picture of where you are.
They can use your IP address to guess where the connection came from even if you don’t tell them what city you’re in. Even if you only communicate with them once, they can analyze the IP address whenever they like, and it doesn’t have to be done immediately.
How do they know where we are?
You shop at home most of the time.
You usually email your friends from home.
You play online from home or participate in chat rooms and forums.
Most of your online activities are done through your home IP address. An IP address can easily be traced to a location close to you. Maybe even to your kitchen window. You might be thinking, why would anyone want to know where I am? The real answer to this question is, what does anyone know?
Who checks our position?
There is no way to know who checks your IP address on IP tracking websites. It could be your bank, your real estate agent, or a tech-loving teenager who is also a hacker. Either way, one thing is clear. It is possible to be tracked by anyone, An intruder, a detective or even a criminal, through your IP address. This intelligent stranger may one day appear on your doorstep.