Question 1

What is my public IP address?

Accepted Answer

Your public IP address is the address assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to identify your connection on the internet. Every device that connects to the internet shares this address with the websites and services it visits.

Question 2

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

Accepted Answer

IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (e.g. 192.168.1.1) and supports about 4 billion unique addresses. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses (e.g. 2001:db8::1) and provides a virtually unlimited number. IPv6 was introduced to solve the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses.

Question 3

What does my IP address reveal about me?

Accepted Answer

Your IP address can reveal your approximate geographic location (country, region, city), your Internet Service Provider, and whether you are using a proxy or VPN. It does not directly expose your name, exact home address, or personal identity.

Question 4

Can a website see my real IP address if I use a VPN?

Accepted Answer

When you use a VPN, websites see the IP address of the VPN server, not your real IP. However, if your VPN connection drops or leaks (DNS leak, WebRTC leak), your real IP may be briefly visible.

Question 5

What is an ISP?

Accepted Answer

An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is the company that provides your internet connection. Examples include Free, Orange, SFR, Comcast, and BT. Your ISP is visible to every website you visit through your IP address.

Question 6

What is an ASN?

Accepted Answer

An ASN (Autonomous System Number) is a unique identifier assigned to a network operated by an ISP, hosting provider, or large organisation. It groups IP address ranges and is used for internet routing.

Question 7

Can my IP address reveal my exact location?

Accepted Answer

No. IP-based geolocation provides only an approximate location — typically accurate to the city or region level, sometimes only to the country level. The margin of error can be hundreds of kilometres.

Question 8

What is the difference between a public IP and a private IP?

Accepted Answer

A public IP is assigned by your ISP and is visible on the internet. A private IP is assigned by your router within your local network (e.g. 192.168.x.x) and is not visible from outside.

Question 9

Does my IP address change?

Accepted Answer

Most residential ISPs assign dynamic IP addresses that change periodically. Some ISPs offer static IP addresses that never change. Mobile connections often change IP address very frequently.

Question 10

What is a proxy server?

Accepted Answer

A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet. Websites see the proxy's IP address instead of yours. Unlike a VPN, a basic proxy does not encrypt your traffic.

Question 11

What is User-Agent?

Accepted Answer

The User-Agent is a string sent by your browser with every HTTP request. It identifies your browser name, version, operating system, and device type. Websites use it to adapt their content, and it contributes to browser fingerprinting.

Question 12

How can I hide my IP address?

Accepted Answer

You can hide your IP address using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), a Tor browser, or a proxy server. Each method has different trade-offs in speed, privacy, and reliability.

Idilesi yam ye-IP kawonke-wonke

Ukuhlolwa okulandelayo kwemfihlo

Indawo ye-IP

Uvavanyo lwe-VPN / proxy

Umnwe wesikhangeli