Websites can track who you are and where you might live according to your IP address. If that sounds scary, it most certainly is, and even possibly dangerous! You should keep updated on how you use your IP address to make sure you are safely browsing the Internet.

Check your IP address to see what you are broadcasting. Online websites will be able to do a quick check instantly, and for free as well. Websites can also give you helpful information such as where IP technology claims you are located. If it hits too close to home, you should start looking at your options in securing your IP address against location tactics.

The type of IP address you have determines how quickly it will change by itself. A static IP address is one that never changes, unless a specific request is made to your Internet service provider. In that case, your request may not even be approved, even if the nature of your request is not shady. Dynamic addresses instead change each time you disconnect from the network.

Through what is called a proxy, you can hide the details of your IP address and make it appear as if your true location is somewhere else. This is used among users who don’t want their location revealed at will to websites they visit. It can also be used to bypass some network restrictions, although you run the risk in getting caught and getting penalized if you do so.

Routing technologies have improved a good bit since a decade ago. Today we can use a network service called NAT, which stands for network address translation. NAT technology isn’t perfect in providing security, it just helps the process. It’s original goal is to actually cut down on the amount of IP addresses connected to the Internet at a given time, not provide security. The IP address you broadcast will appear as the same for any computer on the network to outside sources.

IP addresses are easy to change and edit, or even mask, but MAC addresses are a different story. A MAC address is based on the hardware level, so you would need new hardware to change it or do some creative engineering. Don’t give out your MAC address, since it is the number that points directly to your device and none other in the world. Hiding such information is easy with modern security software.

Final Thoughts

You won’t have to read up on advanced computer topics to keep private on the Internet. Just know the basics of Internet protocol addresses and how they function. Knowing how to mask them will be a skill that is rewarded via satisfaction in know your privacy isn’t up in arms.

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