First, you type in a website name (example.com) into the browser. However, your computer does not understand words — only numbers. So it first finds out the IP address of that website (example.com = 103.86.98.1), finds it on the web, and finally loads it on your screen.

Your IP address reveals a lot about you, ie. the approximate place you surf from, including your country, region, postcode, and city. Moreover, cunning websites can compare this information with other details retrieved from cookies and metadata, thus creating an even more revealing picture of your identity.

It is unlikely that anyone will actually take over your IP address and use it as their own. But some people do have access to your external IP address and can collect data related to it.

For example, your ISP can always see what websites you have visited on the web. Meanwhile, the websites that you visit can track your approximate location and actions to customize their offering. If you search for flights, the website can detect that you are, for example, surfing from a wealthy European country and, therefore, automatically raise the prices.

It is possible to protect your IP address by hiding it. This is done by using a VPN service, which routes your connection through another IP address, thus hiding your real one. Besides that, VPNs have many other benefits too. You get more online privacy and security as your internet traffic is encrypted and cannot be read by third-parties or misused by hackers.

Yes, you can change your IP address. The easiest and safest way is by using a VPN, which gives your device a new virtual IP address and hides your real one.

A MAC address is a unique, built-in code that identifies your device’s network hardware (like its Wi-Fi card) on a local network. An IP address, on the other hand, identifies your device’s connection to the internet or a network, and it can change depending on where or how you connect.

An ISP, also known as Internet Service Provider, is a company that connects your local computer network to the world wide web. They are the company who assigns your internet IP address. Popular examples are AT&T and Verizon.

Yes, your IP address can change when your location changes. Each time you connect through a different Wi-Fi network or mobile data, your device gets a new IP address from that network, which can show your general location.

IP Address Location is not 100 percent accurate when it comes to determining the exact location of a user. Factors like ISP's IP address and use of VPN and proxies may mask the user's actual location.

Static IP addresses, also called fixed or dedicated IPs, never change. Once assigned, the device always uses that same address. They’re often used for things like web servers, email servers, or any device that must always be reachable at the same location.

Dynamic IP addresses are temporary and change each time a device connects to a network. They’re assigned automatically by the network’s DHCP server, which helps share addresses efficiently among many users. Because they change often, dynamic IPs can also make it harder for hackers to target a device.

One of the main purposes of checking the IP address of a website domain is to make sure that it is configured correctly. In other words, checking the IP helps to make sure that the domain is resolving to the correct IP address and is accessible to the online public.

Every website has at least one IP address connected to its domain name. You can use our Reverse DNS tool to check the IP addresses of a domain. Enter the website you want to check and the tool will query the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and shown them at the top of the page.