Public IP
The address your ISP or cloud provider routes to the internet. Remote servers typically see this endpoint.
203.0.113.45What Is My IP?
View your current public IP and approximate location/ISP context. Below we summarize IP types, how VPNs change visibility and common privacy risks.
YOUR PUBLIC IP ADDRESS
Looking up…
Location is approximate (often city-level). The lookup is performed from your browser via a third-party geo-IP service; Secunnix does not store results on our servers.
IP address types — public vs private, IPv4 vs IPv6
The address seen on the internet differs from your local LAN address; IPv4 and IPv6 are two protocol generations.
Private IP
An RFC1918 address valid only on your local network; not directly routed on the public internet.
192.168.1.xIPv4
32-bit~4.3B addresses
IPv6
128-bitHuge address space
What is an IP address?
An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a numerical identifier assigned to an endpoint on a network. When you browse the web, remote servers see your public IP to return responses.
Your public IP can reveal approximate geography (often city-level), ISP hints and connection context. That matters for privacy and realistic threat modeling.
IPv4 vs IPv6
| Aspect | IPv4 | IPv6 |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 32-bit dotted decimal (e.g. 192.0.2.1) | 128-bit hex (e.g. 2001:db8::1) |
| Address space | ~4.3B (effectively exhausted) | Very large address space |
| Adoption | Still dominant today | Growing with dual-stack transitions |
| Note | NAT and private ranges inside LANs | End-to-end addressing—policy and segmentation still required |
Public vs private IP
- Public IP: routed on the internet by your ISP or cloud provider; remote servers typically see this address.
- Private IP: RFC1918 ranges such as 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, 192.168.0.0/16—valid only behind your router.
With a VPN or egress proxy, remote sites usually see the VPN exit’s public IP; your private IP stays behind the gateway.
How does a VPN change your public IP?
A VPN sends traffic through an encrypted tunnel to an exit point; targets see that exit’s public IP. In enterprises, split tunneling, DNS and IPv6 leaks must be validated separately—“VPN on” alone is not proof of complete isolation.
Ways to change or hide your IP
Choose based on your threat model; technical options rather than vendor endorsements:
- VPN or trusted corporate egress: shifts your visible public IP.
- Tor: multi-hop routing; strong anonymity/privacy trade-offs vs performance.
- Proxies: encryption and trust vary by design.
- Different uplink (e.g. cellular): temporary different public IP.
- Public Wi‑Fi: may show a different IP but carries major security risks—not recommended for corporate use.
Privacy and security risks
- Geo-targeting and content restrictions (streaming, pricing, regulation).
- ISP or employer logging on managed networks; potential legal disclosure.
- Exposure in gaming/P2P scenarios; DDoS targeting if IP is shared.
- Misconfigured VPN/DNS/IPv6 leaks that undermine perceived protection.
- Trust boundaries of third-party lookup/log services—minimize data where possible.
References
Frequently asked questions
What is an IP address?
It is the routed address used to deliver packets on the internet. IPv4 and IPv6 are the main versions; your public IP is what remote servers usually observe.
Can someone find my exact home from my IP?
Usually no—most services estimate city/region. Precise location typically needs additional data or ISP correlation; legal processes may map IPs to subscribers.
Does a VPN always change my IP?
Remote systems see the VPN exit IP, but DNS, WebRTC or IPv6 leaks can still expose your real path. Validate with dedicated tests.
Static vs dynamic IP?
Static IPs stay the same for long periods (common on servers and B2B lines). Dynamic IPs rotate from ISP pools—typical for home users.
Can I have both IPv4 and IPv6?
Dual-stack networks may expose both. If only one path is tunneled through a VPN, split traffic can leak.
Does this tool show my 192.168.x.x address?
No—this page shows your public egress IP. Private LAN addresses appear in your router or OS settings.
What if my IP is exposed?
Assess your threat model: change egress (VPN/Tor), reduce exposure in gaming/P2P and follow corporate incident response if applicable.
Is this enough for enterprise security?
No. This page is awareness and quick checks. Penetration testing and architecture reviews aligned to OWASP, PTES and your policies are still required.
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