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That said, if you want to keep your external IP address private, you should consider installing a virtual private network (VPN), which masks your external IP address by issuing you a new one that is not tied to your internet service provider. In that receptionist scenario, everyone can find the company’s phone number-the external IP address in this case. In this analogy, your router acts as a kind of receptionist. But the default company number, which is publicly listed, is like your external IP address. Your telephone provider assigns you a particular phone number that routes calls only to you. Think of the relationship between the two like a phone extension. At this point, when you visit a website on your phone or laptop, each of those devices has its own internal IP address-also called a private IP address-that is logged along with your browsing history. Analyzing Every Second of the Classic Dial-Up Modem Soundįrom there, your router provides your devices with internet access.How the Internet Works: The 7 Steps It Took To Read This Article.Information Could Be the Fifth State of Matter, Proving We Live in a Simulation.Put another way: it’s the digital address for your router interface. It’s also the IP address that your internet service provider assigns to you, and it’s all public. Your external IP address is what you likely think about first when considering that unique string of numbers associated with your internet use. And, just like a fingerprint or a snowflake, no two IP addresses are exactly the same. Computers have them, but so do tablets and smartphones. Put simply, an IP address (short for Internet Protocol address) is a unique identifier for your machine. ? Want best-in-class explainers about the digital world? We’ll be your tech support.īut what is an IP address and how do you get your IP address? And what if you’re using a VPN or incognito mode on your browser? To understand these macro questions, it’s necessary to first drill into the micro technical specs. The same goes for pirated downloads, illegal pornography, or selling nefarious goods online-all of that activity can be traced back to you through your IP address. Luckily, even though that person’s profile may be devoid of identifying information, the authorities can track them down with something called an IP address. You’ve heard about it before: an unknown online assailant has been inundating someone in your town with bothersome messages.