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Frequently Asked Questions
Learn everything you need to know about IP addresses, how they work, and privacy.
What is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identifier assigned to every device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. Think of it like a mailing address for your computer or smartphone, allowing data to find its way to the correct device across the global web.
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4) is the older, 32-bit addressing system used since the early days of the internet, structured like 192.168.1.1. Due to the massive growth of connected devices, IPv4 ran out of unique addresses. IPv6 (Version 6) was created as a 128-bit successor, formatted with hexadecimal characters like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334, offering a virtually infinite number of combinations.
How accurate is IP geolocation?
IP geolocation is highly accurate at identifying your Country, State/Region, and ISP (Internet Service Provider). However, it is **not** accurate enough to locate your physical street address. Usually, the location mapped represents the nearest data routing hub or office of your ISP, which could be anywhere from a few blocks to 20+ miles away from your actual location.
How can I hide or change my IP address?
You can hide or temporarily change your public IP address using two main tools:
1. **VPN (Virtual Private Network):** Routes your internet traffic through a secure server in a location of your choice, masking your real IP with the server's IP.
2. **Proxy Servers:** Acts as a gateway between you and the websites you visit, forwarding requests so sites only see the proxy's address.
3. **Tor Network:** Onion-routes your data through multiple randomized relays around the world, maximizing anonymity.
Is my IP address permanent?
Usually, no. Most residential ISPs assign **Dynamic IP addresses**, which change periodically (such as when your router restarts or when the ISP refreshes lease agreements). Businesses or servers typically pay for a **Static IP address**, which remains identical forever to ensure external connections can always locate them reliably.
How does an internet speed test work?
An internet speed test measures your current connection's maximum bandwidth by sending dummy payloads to a fast local CDN node. It calculates your latency (ping), jitter (latency variation), download speed (data transferred from the server to your device), and upload speed (data transferred from your device to the server).
What is a good download and upload speed?
For standard browsing and HD streaming, 25 Mbps download speed is sufficient. For 4K UHD streaming, multiple active devices, or online multiplayer gaming, a download speed of 100 Mbps or higher is recommended. For gaming, a low ping latency (under 30ms) is more critical than raw bandwidth to prevent lag.