Just like homes need postal addresses to receive mail, Internet-connected devices use IP (Internet Protocol) addresses to identify themselves. An IP address is a unique combination of numbers and periods (for example, 172.1.1.1) that acts as a device’s identification on the Internet, allowing it to connect with hubs, routers, and switches to transfer data.
The two main functions of an IP address over the network are identifying the system and locating the system on the network. It also helps maintain the privacy of a network by limiting who can access information and resources on it.
An IP address is assigned by an ISP (Internet Service Provider) and can be static or dynamic. Static IP addresses are assigned to devices on a network and stay the same, while dynamic IP addresses are leased from a large pool of addresses by ISPs to their customers on a temporary basis as needed.
The changing nature of dynamic IP addresses can present security how to login 192.168.100.1 risks, particularly for businesses that use them to send email or host websites. For example, if an email is sent from a private device to a public address, the recipient’s IP address can be tracked, which could reveal confidential business information or lead to identity theft. To mitigate this risk, companies and individuals often use VPNs (virtual private networks) to protect their data and traffic from hackers and cybercriminals.
As Internet usage continues to grow, the pool of available dynamic IP addresses is shrinking. To make up for this, the Internet is implementing a new version of its addressing protocol called IPv6. This move will eventually see the end of the current 32-bit IPv4 address space, which can only hold about 340 undecillion unique identifiers. The new version of the protocol will feature 128-bit addresses that allow for both letters and numbers, allowing up to 2128 uniquely identifying addresses on a single network.
Criminals are known to track people through their IP addresses, which can be used to trace their location to a street address and even the room of a home. This type of tracking can help criminals with their online activity, such as downloading pirated media that breaches ISP terms of use and potentially illegal content such as terrorism or child pornography. It can also expose individuals to physical danger or robbery when they are out of the home, leading to the longstanding advice to never post on social media that you’re on vacation.
An IP address can also be used to prevent unwanted or malicious behavior on a device, such as blocking access to certain online activities. For example, streaming services will block users from specific regions to enforce copyright laws and websites, gaming servers, and forums may ban specific IP addresses if they are used for bad behaviors. Keeping up with the latest in cybersecurity and becoming certified in this field is a great way to increase your employment opportunities and enhance your career prospects. Take a look at Simplilearn’s Advanced Executive Program In Cyber Security to start your journey into this exciting career.