What is My IP Address? IP Address Lookup
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CREDIT: Dreamstime |
When it comes to computers and technology, acronyms are thrown around with regularity. While we act like we know exactly what each means, oftentimes we couldn't be more in the dark. One computer acronym we hear quite regularly is IP address.
What is my IP address?
Every computer, tablet and smartphone that can connect online has an Internet Protocol (IP) address. IP addresses are a unique set of numbers used to identify the computer or device when it connects to the Internet. The most common IP address type, IPv4, includes a 32-bit numeric address written as four decimal numbers separated byperiods. An IP address, which can be either static or dynamic, consists of two parts, one identifying the network and one identifying the connection point. A static IP address never changes, while dynamic addressing, which most home computers employ, assigns a new IP address to the device each time it connects to the Internet.
How to find my IP address
There are several ways to look up an IP address.
For Windows 7, XP and Vista users, click "Start" and then select "All Programs." Windows users should then click "Accessories," followed by "Command Prompt." When the command prompt is shown, type in "ipconfig". The IP address will then be shown.
For Mac computers, as well as iPhones and iPads, the IP address can be located by opening System Preferences and clicking on "Network" and then "Advanced." From there, the IP address can be found by clicking on "TCP/IP."
IP addresses can be found on Android smartphones by clicking on "Settings" and "Wireless Controls" Selecting "Wi-Fi Settings" will then reveal the IP address.
You can also find your IP address by going to any of a number of websites, including:
