What is IP address ?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is, an address that devices, such as computers, use in order to identify to each other on a computer network. Any device of a network, including routers, computers, Internet fax machines, phones, printers, etc., have their own IP address.

When connected to Internet your PC always have some IP address associated. This IP address is usually provided by Internet Service Operator (ISP). You can always have same IP address (static IP address) or your IP can change dynamically in each of your Internet session, it depends what kind of deal with your ISP you have.  

ISP companies have larger blocks of IP addresses associated with their networks and all users they are providing with accessing Internet service. Those addresses are provided by Regional Internet Registries (there is currently five Regional Internet registries in the world) that is in charge for that region. ISP can distribute their IP address range among their users in many different ways, providing them with an static IP , or providing them smaller blocks (sub-ranges) of IP addresses for their networks, and then system administrators of smaller networks making distribution of their sub ranges among client devices in their network.

Using software applications like firewalls with NAT (Network address translation) feature system administrators can configure their network that only pc that have firewall software installed can have IP address that can have access to Internet and clients workstations in LAN (Local Area Network) are using so called internal IP addresses for communication with each other , but when accessing some Internet content for the servers on Internet they are represented with firewall IP address and all communication between Internet and network going trough firewall software that can filter all traffic and for security purposes before delivering data to workstation on LAN that made request for those data check the data against viruses, spy wares etc.

Because Regional Internet Registries has data base with IP ranges given to the ISP companies world wide, some Internet sites or services can see your IP address that you are using for access, and then using this address can find some more data about you as visitor. From IP address every site on world wide web that you are viewing can take information about your location , country , region and city you are accessing from, your ISP etc.

If you want to avoid this possibility and hide your IP address you need to use some software the can enable you to surf with some fake IP address that is physically located in some other country.

Why should I do that is and logical question you might ask your self. Well there can be many reasons for that. You can read about that in our how to hide IP address page.