Understanding IP Addresses: Your Digital Identity on the Internet

            Every device connected to the internet needs an IP address, just like every house needs a postal address for mail delivery.
        

What is an IP Address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. Think of it as your device's digital home address on the internet.

There are two versions of IP addresses currently in use:

IPv4: The older version using a 32-bit number (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
IPv6: The newer version using a 128-bit number (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334)

Why Would You Need to Find Your IP Address?

There are several important reasons why you might need to know your IP address:

Remote access to your devices or services
Troubleshooting network connectivity issues
Setting up network devices like printers or smart home equipment
Configuring firewall rules or network security
Using certain online services that require IP verification

How to Find Your External IP Address

Finding your external IP address (the one visible to the internet) is straightforward. Here are several methods:

Quick Tip: Your external IP address is different from your internal (local) IP address used within your home network.

Method 1: Using Online Services

Visit websites like:
- findwhatismyip.com
- ipleak.net
- whatismyipaddress.com

Method 2: Using Command Line

For more tech-savvy users, you can use these commands:

Windows: Open Command Prompt and type: nslookup myip.opendns.com resolver1.opendns.com
Mac/Linux: Open Terminal and type: curl ifconfig.me

            Security Note: Always be cautious about where and how you share your IP address, as it can be used to target your network for attacks.
        

Sometimes users can look up for i p address, instead of IP address adding an extra space between the words I and P although it is a two letter acronym which means Internet Protocol or IP. You will be able to reach some sites even with Whats my I P search but still it won't look great in a PowerPoint presentation.

Understanding and being able to find your IP address is an essential skill in today's connected world. Whether you're troubleshooting network issues or setting up new devices, this knowledge will serve you well in managing your digital presence.