IP address. What is my ip? How to change IP? Hide IP?

If you need to know what is IP, what is my IP and how to change IP or hide IP - you're in right place. Probably you think there is no need to read about such dull subject as IP address. But if you spend many hours on the Internet, then I suggest you to pay attention to IP address issues, because it's all about your privacy on the Internet. And you have much less privacy than you probably imagine.

IP address (abbreviation from Internet Protocol) - unique identifier of your computer or any other device connected to the computer network. Roughly speaking, it is name and address of your computer. Why is IP needed? Because of 2 reasons. First is to register you in the network ("name") and identify you when you visit sites, write on forums or publish hubs. Second is to find your computer on the Internet ("address"). Without IP you won't see any pages, because site won't know whom to show information. It's like ordering pizza. If you don't tell them where to deliver your lovely pepperoni, you'll never see it!

IP address looks like 4 numbers, separated by dots. All possible IP addresses lie in range from 0.0.0.0 till 255.255.255.255. You get your IP address from your Internet service provider (ISP).

There are many sites which can show your IP. Just google for it, type "what is my ip".Or you can use any site like this. It'll show IP.

There are 2 types of IP: static IP and dynamic IP. Static IP address is address that is fixed. You always have the same 4 numbers. Unlike it, dynamic IP address could change at any time. Most probably you have static one.

There are 2 ways to change ip: one is simple and another is a little bit harder. First is to turn off or unplug the power off your cable / DSL modem for 5 minutes. In many cases it will change IP address. If it didn't work, try to turn it off for 8 hours instead of 5 minutes. Hopefully, you'll see new IP address. If not, follow harder way. Click Start, then Run. In Run window write "ipconfig /release" (without quotes) and hit enter. Then type "ipconfig /renew" (without quotes) and click enter. It should change IP address.

I was appalled to hear how easy to find me (my real name, my address, my phone number) if somebody knows my IP. For example, you wrote something in forum, and somebody (let's name him Max) didn't like what you wrote. If Max knows your IP, he'll know your city and your Internet Service Provider (ISP). And he definitely knows your IP and name of your computer, if you sent him email. So don't name your computer with your real name! Then Max asks your Internet Service Provider and if he gives ISP serious reason, he'll probably receive your name, address and phone number. And remember, ISP knows everything about you. It can trace all sites you visit and all actions you do there. So there is no anonymity on the Internet! Of course, your ISP will more likely discloses such information only if police requires it. So unless you do something bad, nobody will find your personal information. Nobody except employees of your ISP.

It'll be helpful to hide your IP address if you are going to report on corruption or other sensitive themes. Hide ip is also pretty useful, if you have urgent need to access blocked sited at work (e.g. your beloved facebook). Just use anonymous proxy. There are dozens of it, google "anonymous proxy" or "free anonymous proxy". Some of them work if you download special software while other allow you to write URL on their site and reach it anonymously. I found this one quite convenient.