Ever wondered, “What is my IP address?” Your IP reveals more about you than you might expect - including your location and online identity. In this guide, Hidemyacc will explain exactly what an IP address is, why it matters for privacy and account security, how to check it, and the most effective ways to change it. We’ll also show you how using Hidemyacc with a proxy can make your online profile look like a real native user, helping you stay undetected.
What is my IP address?
An IP address is one of the most important elements when you connect to the internet. It’s like your device’s digital home address, helping websites and services know where to send and receive information. When you change your IP address, the web server can no longer detect your real location. This is especially important if your work involves logging into multiple accounts, as many platforms check the account IP to see if they belong to the same user.
IP stands for Internet Protocol, which is a set of rules for formatting and transmitting data over a network or the internet. An IP address is a unique number that identifies a device on the internet or a local network. It contains location information and makes devices accessible for communication.
A typical IP address looks like this: 142.18.21.150. It’s made up of four numbers separated by periods, and each number can range from 0 to 255. This means the complete range of IP addresses goes from 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255.
IP address lookup
Checking your IP address is simple. You can:
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Search “what is my IP” on Google, and your public IP will appear at the top.
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Use IP-checking sites like ipfighter.com or whatismyip.com.
Both IP Address and MAC Address help uniquely identify a device, but they’re different:
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IP Address is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is used to send data between different networks.
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MAC Address is provided by your device’s hardware manufacturer and is used for communication within the same network.
Think of it this way: The IP address is like the house address, and the MAC address is like the recipient’s name. Together, they ensure data reaches the right person at the right place.
Types of IP Address
There are 4 types of IP Address:
- Private IP Address
- Public IP Address
- Dynamic IP Address
- Static IP Address.
The most important to pay attention to is your Public IP Address—the one assigned to your network by your ISP. This is what the outside world sees when you connect to the internet. Even though each device in your home or office has its own private IP for internal communication, all devices share the same public IP when accessing the internet. Your public IP can determine:
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Your approximate location
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Access to certain websites or services
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How easy it is for others to track your activity online
Because of this, many people choose to hide or change their public IP using tools like VPNs, proxies.
How to change IP address?
Changing your IP address is a simple way to access restricted websites, protect your privacy, or manage multiple accounts. There are several methods to change your IP address, and each option has its own advantages depending on your specific needs.
Use Proxy
Using a proxy is one of the simplest methods to change your IP address. When you connect to the internet through a proxy server, your real IP address is hidden, and the proxy acts as a middleman between your device and the websites you visit. However, many free proxy servers available online are unreliable and may pose security risks. For better security and authenticity, static residential proxies are more trustworthy since they use real household IP addresses.
It is important to note that while a proxy can change your IP address, it does not modify other device information such as your browser fingerprint. As a result, major platforms like Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Etsy can still detect your activities through browser fingerprinting technologies.
Use VPN
VPNs are a popular solution for changing IP addresses and also encrypting your internet traffic. When you use a VPN, your data is routed through an external server, which replaces your IP address to protect your identity. In addition to changing your IP, VPNs also encrypt your data, offering enhanced security, especially on public networks or when accessing sensitive websites.
However, just like proxies, VPNs cannot alter your browser fingerprint. Websites can still recognize you based on your device’s unique settings and configurations, even after you change your IP address.
Use another Internet connection
Another straightforward way to change your IP address is by using a different internet connection. Your IP address reflects the network you are connected to, so by switching to another Wi-Fi network, your IP address will change automatically. This method is easy and requires no extra tools or technical knowledge. However, it is a temporary solution and does not provide strong privacy or security.
Use mobile 3G/4G
Turning your mobile data on and off can also change your IP address. Each time you disconnect and reconnect your 3G or 4G mobile data, your mobile carrier may assign a new IP address to your device. This is a quick and convenient way to switch IP addresses, especially if you need a fast change without using Wi-Fi, a VPN, or a proxy. However, mobile IP addresses are often dynamic and may not remain stable for long periods.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever wondered, “What is my IP address?”, knowing how your IP works and learning how to change it gives you more control over your digital footprint. By understanding the different methods available, you can take smarter steps to discover and protect your identity while browsing the internet safely.
Hidemyacc antidetect browser will help you hide original computer parametersto avoid being detected. Therefore, you can use it with a Proxy to make your virtual profile look like a real native user and prevent websites from detecting your real identity.
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