Knowing an IP address is usually not a concern for many internet users. This is because most people are unaware of the function of this address and why it is a critical component when securing internet safety. An IP address, known as an Internet Protocol, is an address that defines device location on the internet. Hackers and cybercriminals can use to breach your network and get sensitive data.
An IP acts as an identity marker that facilitates information sharing online by differentiating the location of different devices. This component is an essential part of internet operations, and it forms a critical piece in all your browsing protocols.
Why is an IP Address Important?
Your IP address acts as your online ID. It serves a similar purpose to your identification number. It is a key that allows you to access and maneuver the internet. Each device on a specific network has a unique IP address. For example, if you use a smartphone and a laptop on your home network, each device will have its address.
The value of unique identification is that it prevents something called an IP conflict. This conflict happens when two devices have a similar IP address. To resolve these issues, the internet will remove one of the devices to ensure there is no duplication. The only way to mask an IP address would be to use a VPN. In principle,VPN provides a dedicated IP address to access the web. Using a Virtual Private Network is a way to mask your location or protect your online data. Businesses mainly dedicated IP addresses in this case as a fail-safe against cybercriminals.
For online businesses, knowing your router’s IP address is critical. This system makes troubleshooting faster and enables better business administration and control. To know your router’s IP address, there are some key steps you will need to follow.
How to Find Your Router’s IP Address
Many modern routers have a sticker attached that shows the IP address. This sticker makes it easy to know your address without little fuss. Some routers do not have a sticker. In this case, you can look for the information on the cloud using any of the devices connected to your home network. Remember that IP addresses differ on each gadget, so you may need to research more.
If you are using Windows operating system, you can find your router’s IP address by following this simple procedure;
- Open a search bar and type CMD
- On the search space, type ipconfig (stands for IP configuration)
- Look under default gateway to see your router’s IP address.
Similarly, you can also use the control panel of your device to locate the IP address by clicking on VIEW NETWORK STATUS, then tasks. After that, all you need to do is click on the name of your network. You will see a new window. Click on DETAILS. Here you will see the address under the IPV4 DEFAULT GATEWAY.
Every device on your network is connected to your router if you use WiFi. Each gadget will require a different process to identify the router’s IP address. Depending on whether you are using an IOS system or Windows, you can easily find the router identity using this process. Note that IOS devices are simpler to use because they keep the address under ROUTER. This tag is easier to find.
To go a step further, you can paste the default IP address into your browser to find the network interface. This process requires access to your network connection settings which you can obtain by using the steps mentioned above.
There are also online resources that can help you check your router’s address. These resources are valuable if you don’t want to go through the process of searching manually. You will need to ask a dedicated IP checker to see your network status. You will also notice that your router has an administration page that serves the same purpose.
Does Your Router Need a VPN?
Online security is a critical factor when dealing with routers. An insecure router exposes your online activity to your ISP and any online user with malicious intent. Having a Virtual Private Network on your router prevents WiFi poaching and disables remote access. Anyone trying to poach your WiFi would need to manually connect to your route to gain access to your network. A VPN also makes your network agile, fast, and more reliable.
Knowing your IP address facilitates a better understanding of how to improve your online security and how to protect your sensitive data. For businesses that deal with large volumes of information, this security provides cloud support that encrypts your data and prevents unauthorized access.
Bottom Line
Knowing your router’s IP address is a simple process. The above techniques will improve your online security and guarantee network performance. Your Whole Life is on Your Smartphone: How to Prevent Data Leaks
