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Types of IP addresses: All you need to know

May 29, 2019 · 4 min read

Types of IP addresses: All you need to know

IP addresses let internet-connected devices communicate with web servers. However, there are many types of IP addresses. Do you know what the main differences between private vs. public, or static vs. dynamic IPs are? What is a dedicated IP, and do you need one? Read on to find out.

What is an IP address?

An IP address stands for Internet Protocol Address. It’s a string of numbers that identify a device connected to the wider net. Like a mailbox address, it’s needed so that devices and servers could exchange information with one another. For example, if you Google ‘What is a VPN?,’ your device’s IP address will send a request to Google’s servers. Google will then find you an answer and send it back to you. It knows not to send it to your neighbor or anyone else because of your IP address.

It sounds simple, but there are many types of IP addresses, which might become confusing. They are all needed to perform different functions, so let’s review them and find out their differences.

Types of IP addresses

Private vs. Public IP

Each device connected to the internet has private and public IP addresses. Why do we need two? Because we don’t have enough IP addresses for the number of devices we use. In the ’80s, when the IPv4 protocol was created, it introduced 32-bit numerical IP addresses. These equated to approximately 4.3 billion unique IP addresses. However, it was soon evident that we will need more.

The problem was solved by introducing private IP addresses and Network Address Translation (NAT). NAT sits on your router and directs the traffic from the wider net to all the devices sitting on the same network. The router alose assign these devices unique private IP addresses. These cannot be routed over the internet, so many devices in the world can have the same private IPs without clashing.

Your public IP address is assigned to you by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is the address your router uses to communicate with the wider net. You can see yours by using this free tool by NordVPN.

Static vs. Dynamic IP

Public IPs are also split into two categories: static and dynamic.

A dynamic IP address, as the name suggests, changes over time. Your ISP assigns them, but they will change every time you reboot your device, add a new device to your network, or change your network configuration. The changes rarely have any impact on your connection, and dynamic IPs are mostly used in households.

A static IP address, contrary to dynamic IP, never changes. They are typically assigned to servers that host websites or provide email or FTP services. However, they can also be given to public organizations that need stable connections and consistent web addresses. Some Individuals use them for gaming or VOIP connections as these also need very stable connections.

Static IP Addresses are rarely used for individual households as they have some drawbacks:

  • ISPs charge extra for assigning a static IP;
  • They require additional security measures as they are more susceptible to brute force attacks;
  • They are easier to track by data mining companies.

What is a dedicated IP address?

What is a dedicated IP?

A dedicated IP address is a unique static IP address given to a website on a shared hosting server. Web servers that host websites can have many static IP addresses assigned to them. The server can then assign a static IP to multiple websites that would then have a shared IP address. However, if the web server offers a static and unique IP address to a single website, this would then be called a dedicated IP.

Some websites opt for dedicated IP addresses because they have high traffic and need stable connections. Their developers might also need to access servers via its IP rather than a URL (especially when the system is down) or need a stable IP address to gain a secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate. However, dedicated IPs are not just for websites – individuals can get them too. They can be assigned to you by VPN providers such as NordVPN. There are many benefits to a dedicated IP:

  • Allows you to control your online reputation;
  • Can be used for online banking. Banks can sometimes flag logins with shared IPs as suspicious activity;
  • Makes it less likely for websites to ask you to complete ‘captcha’ requests;
  • Allows users to connect to remote servers via whitelists.

NordVPN offers secure, convenient dedicated IPs around the world

What IP do I get when I use a VPN?

An IP address can say a lot about you – your location, the IP ownership, and even the digital footprint that IP has left. However, your IP address can be changed if you route your traffic through a VPN server. But what type of IP are you assigned when you use a VPN? You can either have a shared or a dedicated IP.

A common practice for VPN providers is to assign you a shared IP address. Privacy-wise, it’s the best option. It’s shared by multiple users, so it makes it more difficult for the websites to track you. Shared IP is also great for P2P file sharing and, if you travel a lot, to access the content that might be censored in the country you are visiting.

On the other hand, shared IP can have a “bad neighbor effect,” which means that if someone using the same IP gets blacklisted on a particular website, you won’t be able to access it either. However, this is a rare occurrence. The worst inconvenience you might face is more captcha requests than usual – when sites try to prove you aren’t a bot.

Change your IP with NordVPN risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee!

Emily Green
Emily Green successVerified author


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