Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IP address?

An IP address stands for Internet Protocol address. It is a unique number assigned to every device connected to the internet or a local network. Your phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, and even Wi-Fi router use IP addresses to communicate with websites and online services.

An IP address works like a digital home address. When you open a website, your device sends a request using your IP address so the website knows where to send the data back.

There are two main types of IP addresses:

• IPv4
• IPv6

Your IP address can also reveal general information such as:

• Country
• State
• City
• ISP provider
• Approximate location

However, an IP address usually cannot show your exact house address.

What is IPv4?

IPv4 stands for Internet Protocol Version 4. It is the most common type of IP address used on the internet today.

An IPv4 address looks like this:

192.168.1.1

It contains four groups of numbers separated by dots. Each group can have numbers from 0 to 255.

IPv4 was created many years ago when the internet was much smaller. Because of the growth of the internet, IPv4 addresses are becoming limited.

Main features of IPv4:

• Uses 32-bit addresses
• Supports around 4.3 billion unique IP addresses
• Easy to read and understand
• Works with almost all internet devices

Common uses of IPv4:

• Home internet connections
• Mobile networks
• Websites and servers
• Gaming devices

Even today, most websites still support IPv4.

What is IPv6?

IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol Version 6. It is the latest version of internet addressing created to replace IPv4.

An IPv6 address looks like this:

2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

IPv6 was developed because the internet needed more IP addresses for billions of devices worldwide.

Main features of IPv6:

• Uses 128-bit addresses
• Provides a huge number of unique IP addresses
• Better security support
• Faster and more efficient routing
• Improved internet performance

Benefits of IPv6:

• Supports smart devices and IoT
• Reduces network congestion
• Improves scalability
• Helps future internet growth

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 and IPv6 are both internet protocols, but they work differently.

Here are the main differences:

Feature	IPv4	IPv6
Address Length	32-bit	128-bit
Example	192.168.1.1	2001:db8::1
Total Addresses	Around 4.3 billion	Almost unlimited
Security	Basic	Advanced
Speed	Standard	Better routing efficiency
Format	Numbers only	Numbers and letters

IPv6 is more modern and future-ready, while IPv4 is still widely used today.

What is a Public IP address?

A Public IP address is the IP address assigned to your internet connection by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This IP address is visible on the internet.

When you visit websites, your public IP is used to communicate with servers online.

Features of a Public IP:

• Visible to websites
• Assigned by your ISP
• Used for internet communication
• Can change dynamically or remain static

Public IP addresses help websites identify:

• Your country
• Your ISP
• Your approximate location

Examples of Public IP usage:

• Online gaming
• Video streaming
• Website hosting
• Remote access

What is a Private IP address?

A Private IP address is used inside local networks such as your home Wi-Fi or office network.

Private IPs are not visible on the public internet.

Examples of private IP ranges:

• 192.168.x.x
• 10.x.x.x
• 172.16.x.x to 172.31.x.x

Devices using private IPs:

• Smartphones
• Printers
• Laptops
• Smart TVs

Benefits of private IP addresses:

• Better local network management
• Improved security
• Saves public IP addresses

Your router usually assigns private IP addresses automatically.

What is a Hostname?

A hostname is a readable name assigned to a device or server connected to a network.

Instead of remembering numbers like IP addresses, people use hostnames because they are easier to read.

Example:

• Hostname: google.com
• IP Address: 142.250.183.14

Hostnames help:

• Identify servers
• Manage networks
• Access websites easily

In many cases, a hostname can show:

• Company name
• Server location
• Hosting provider

Reverse DNS lookup is commonly used to find the hostname connected to an IP address.

What is an ISP (Internet Service Provider)?

An ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. It is the company that gives you internet access.

Examples of ISPs:

• Jio
• Airtel
• BSNL
• Vodafone Idea

An ISP provides:

• Internet connection
• Public IP address
• Network services
• Broadband or mobile internet

Your ISP can usually see:

• Your internet usage
• Your public IP address
• Websites you connect to

ISPs also help determine:

• Internet speed
• Network stability
• Online performance

Many users search for ISP information to troubleshoot internet problems or verify network details.

How can I change my IP address?

There are several ways to change your IP address.

Common methods include:

• Restart Your Router: Turning your router off and on may assign a new IP address.
• Use Mobile Data: Switching between Wi-Fi and mobile internet changes your IP.
• Use a VPN: A VPN hides your real IP and shows another IP from a different location.
• Contact Your ISP: Some ISPs can manually change your IP address.
• Use a Proxy Server: A proxy acts as a middle layer between you and websites.

People change IP addresses for:

• Privacy
• Security
• Accessing geo-restricted content
• Fixing network issues

How do I hide my IP address?

Hiding your IP address helps improve online privacy and security.

Popular ways to hide an IP address:

• Use a VPN: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and masks your real IP address.
• Use a Proxy: A proxy server hides your original IP from websites.
• Use the Tor Browser: Tor routes your traffic through multiple servers for anonymous browsing.
• Use Public Wi-Fi: Public networks temporarily show a different IP address.

Benefits of hiding your IP:

• Better privacy
• Reduced tracking
• Improved security
• Protection from hackers

However, hiding an IP does not make someone completely anonymous online.

What does Latitude and Longitude mean in IP lookup?

Latitude and Longitude are geographic coordinates used to estimate the location of an IP address.

Latitude shows:

• North or south position

Longitude shows:

• East or west position

Example:

• Latitude: 28.6139
• Longitude: 77.2090

IP geolocation databases use these coordinates to estimate:

• Country
• State
• City
• Region

Important things to know:

• IP location is usually approximate
• Exact home location is rarely shown
• Mobile networks may show different locations

Businesses use latitude and longitude for:

• Analytics
• Fraud detection
• Personalized content
• Location-based services

What is an ASN Number?

ASN stands for Autonomous System Number.

An ASN is a unique number assigned to internet networks controlled by companies, ISPs, or large organizations.

Example:

• AS15169 = Google

ASN numbers help route internet traffic correctly across the world.

ASN information can reveal:

• Network owner
• ISP provider
• Routing details
• Internet infrastructure

Why ASN matters:

• Helps manage internet traffic
• Improves routing efficiency
• Used in cybersecurity
• Important for large networks and hosting companies

Network engineers and cybersecurity professionals often use ASN lookup tools for troubleshooting and security analysis.

Can someone track me using my IP address?

An IP address can reveal approximate information such as:

• Country
• City
• ISP

But it usually cannot reveal:

• Exact home address
• Personal identity
• Phone number

Websites, advertisers, and online services can use IP addresses for tracking and analytics.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

In most cases, sharing your IP address is not highly dangerous, because websites already see your public IP when you visit them.

However, you should still avoid sharing your IP publicly because attackers may try:

• Network scanning
• DDoS attacks
• Tracking activities

To stay safer online:

• Use strong security settings
• Keep devices updated
• Use a firewall
• Use a VPN when needed

Why does my IP address location look wrong?

IP geolocation is not always accurate.

Reasons why your IP location may appear incorrect:

• ISP routing methods
• VPN usage
• Mobile networks
• Outdated geolocation databases
• Shared IP addresses

Sometimes the detected location may show:

• A nearby city
• ISP headquarters
• Another state

This is normal and happens often with mobile internet connections.

In summary, changing your IP address through a reliable VPN service can significantly improve your online security, privacy, and convenience.