

Generally, ‘IP Address’ refers to the external (public) IP, but we will show you how to find your Public IP address as well as your Local IP address on your Windows 10 and Mac computer. While your Public IP is visible to every website you visit (unless you are using a VPN or proxy), your local IP is more private because it cannot be seen outside of your private (home or office) network. It assigns a different network identifier to each device on the network, such as your computers, phones, tablets, etc. Unlike Public IP, it is your router that defines the Local IP. The other is Local IP, which varies from one device to another. One is the Public IP (could be either Static or Dynamic) assigned by your ISP (Internet Service Provider), and it is the same for all devices using that connection. Public (or External) IP Address vs Local (or Private) IP Addressīefore you learn about how to find your IP address (Internet Protocol Address), it’s imperative to know that there are two different types of IP addresses for any connected device.

In "System Preferences" go to "Network." In this window, you'll find your IP address right under the network status.Find Public IP Address Using Third-party Websites on Mac and Windows How to find your private/internal IP address On a Mac Simply Google "what is my IP address" and the result will appear at the top of the page.

How to find your public/external IP address This is also why more and more people opt to use a VPN or "virtual private network" which obscures your actual location. Because your IP address shares your location, it is also a way to understand how your personal information is shared. Knowing your IP addresses is useful for a few different reasons, such as setting up a file server, adding a printer, or communicating with local devices on the same network. If the IP address is like a physical mailing address, IP is the part that tells you how to get there.Įvery device actually has two IP addresses: the public/external address which is used to communicate with the wider internet and the private/internal address, which communicates with your local network aka your personal internet router. An IP address is how and where that information should go. IP which stands for "Internet Protocol," is a set of rules that dictates how information is shared on the internet. An IP address is a unique number that identifies a device connected to the internet.
