Every device on the Internet needs an IP address – the digital house number, so to speak, under which it can be reached. But many users do not even know which IP address they have currently been assigned or what this address means exactly.
Whether it's for technical curiosity, network settings, or troubleshooting, this post will give you an easy way to find out your IP address.
What is my IP address and what does it even mean? IP stands for Internet Protocol. An Internet Protocol address ensures that data packets find their destination on the Internet – similar to how a postman uses the house number on a letter.
Every time you visit a website, send an email, or stream a video, your IP address is used to ensure that the response data is returned to your device. Without IP addresses, no communication on the Internet would be possible.
If you're already asking yourself the question "What's my IP?", you can't get past the following labels:
- IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) is the traditional form of IP addresses and consists of four blocks of numbers (e.g. 192.168.0.1). IPv4 offers about 4.3 billion addresses – which is no longer sufficient today in view of the large number of devices.
- Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) solves this problem with much longer addresses (for example, 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334). It offers more than 340 sextillions (340 with 36 zeros!) Addresses.
Even though IPv6 is increasingly being adopted, many devices and networks continue to operate primarily on IPv4.
Not every IP address is visible on the entire Internet. There are public and private IP addresses – both serve different tasks:
Your public IP address is assigned to you by your ISP and is visible to websites and other online services. Your router and thus your entire home network can be reached on the Internet via this address.
Examples of public IPs:
Within your local network (e.g. Wi-Fi at home), all devices are given a private IP address. This is only valid in the home network and protects the devices from being accessible directly from the Internet.
Typical ranges for private IPs are:
- Security: Private IPs are a first layer of protection against direct attacks from the Internet.
- Technical configuration: Even if you want to set up port sharing or enable remote access, for example, the same question comes up again: What is my IP? And you need to know exactly which IP address is affected.
There are several ways to do this, depending on whether you want to know your public or private IP:
What is my IP on the Internet? The fastest way to find out your public IP is through online services.Simply visit websites like wieistmeineip.ch and your current public IP address will be displayed.
Other IP display websites:
Here you can often see additional information such as your internet provider or your approximate location.
Here's how to do it:
- Press Windows key + R , type cmd and press Enter.
- In the command line window, type ipconfig and press Enter.
- Under "Wireless LAN Adapter" or "Ethernet Adapter" you will find your IPv4 address.
Steps:
- Apple menu > System Preferences > Network.
- Select Active Connection (Wi-Fi or LAN).
- In the right panel, you'll see your IP address under "Status."
Alternatively: Enter the ifconfig command in the terminal to see all the network details.
Android:
- Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Connect to Network > IP address is displayed.
iPhone/iPad:
- Settings > Wi-Fi > Tap the "i" icon next to your Wi-Fi network > view your private IP address under "IPV4 address".
Your router not only manages your home network, but also displays the current public IP address :
- Router login: Open the browser and enter the address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.178.1).
- Login: Log in with username and password.
- Status page: You'll find information like "Internet," "WAN IP address," or "public IP."
Example for Fritzbox users:
- Internet > Online Monitor shows the current IP address as well as the connection speed.
Tip: Check out the TalkTalk support page for more router help.
Now that you have an answer to your question "What is my IP address?" you may want to hide it – whether for privacy reasons or to access content from other regions.
Luckily, there are a few different ways to change or hide your IP address. In the following, you will learn how this works and what you should pay attention to.
Many providers assign dynamic IPs. When you turn your router off and on again, your IP address may change. Sometimes, however, it takes a few minutes or even requires a longer switch-off.
With a VPN (Virtual Private Network), you route your internet connection through another server. As a result, a different IP address appears for websites – often in a different country.
Advantages of a VPN:
- More privacy on the Internet
- Protection on public Wi-Fi networks
- Access to content that is region-blocked
Many providers such as NordVPN, CyberGhost or TalkTalk offer VPN solutions. This quickly clarifies your question "What is my IP address?"
To better protect your IP address and your entire home network, you should follow a few basic measures:
- Use strong passwords for your router and Wi-Fi: Many routers come with simple default passwords that are easy to crack. Change them immediately after commissioning. Use strong passwords that consist of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Turn off UPnP when not needed: Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) can be handy for quickly connecting devices together. However, it may open ports in your firewall uncontrollably, which can pose a security risk. If you don't actively use UPnP, you should disable it.
- Activate firewalls and keep your devices up to date with updates: Both your router and your computer or smartphone should have an active firewall to ward off unwanted access. It is just as important to regularly install firmware and software updates to close known security gaps.
If you're traveling and using public Wi-Fi networks (like coffee shops or hotels), be sure to use a VPN. This keeps your IP address hidden and protects your data from prying eyes.
Knowing your IP address is helpful in many situations. For example, when troubleshooting the home network: When connection problems occur or devices in the network do not communicate properly with each other, the IP address is often the first starting point for diagnosis.
IP also plays a central role in protecting one's privacy on the Internet. This is because your public IP address tells websites and online services where you are accessing the Internet from.
If you know your IP and use it consciously – for example by using a VPN – you can better protect yourself from tracking and unwanted surveillance.