How to check public and private IP, and track other people’s locations

Understand the IP address and how to check it

An IP address (Internet Protocol) is a digital identity that is used to identify devices connected to the internet. Similar to a real world home address, the IP address serves as a marker for the location of the device in a global network. There are two types of IP addresses that are commonly used, namely IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 is an old version that is still widely used today, while IPv6 is a new version that has a larger capacity and is designed to overcome IPv4 limitations.

How to Check Public IP Address

To find out your public IP address, simply open the IP Check Service site via a browser. One site that is easily accessible is ip4.top10vpn.com. When the site is opened, the public IP address, approximate location, and server information will be displayed immediately.

Steps to Check Private IP Address

If you want to check a private IP address that is only visible on the local network, follow these steps according to the device you are using:

Windows 10 and 11

1. Open the start menu.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Select Network & Internet, then Wi-Fi.
4. Connect to a WiFi network and click the name of the network.
5. Scroll down and find the Properties section. The IP address and DNS will be visible there.

macOS

1. Go to system settings.
2. Open the network menu.
3. Select Wi-Fi and connect to the network.
4. Click Details on the connected network, the IP will be visible on the page.

iOS (iPhone and iPad)

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Wi-Fi.
3. Connect to the network or tap the network in use.
4. See the IPv4 and IPv6 sections for IP addresses.

Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to the connection menu.
3. Select the connected WiFi network.
4. Press the gear icon next to the network name and see IP details.

amazon fire tv stick

1. Go to the Settings menu.
2. Select my Fire TV, then about.
3. Select Network, the IP address will appear on the right side of the screen.

Why IPv4 and IPv6 Can Be Different

The difference between IPv4 and IPv6 usually occurs if you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service that does not fully support IPv6. As a result, the original IPv6 address is still visible to websites that support IPv6. To overcome this, enable the IPv6 leak protection feature in VPN settings or manually disable IPv6 on the device.

How to hide IP address

Hiding IP addresses is very important to maintain online privacy and security. Two commonly used methods are web proxy and VPN.

• web proxy: Allows internet traffic to be diverted through an intermediary server so that the site only sees the proxy IP. Usually used in certain browsers or applications.
• VPN: Works like a proxy but with a higher level of security. VPN redirects all internet traffic through secure servers and encrypts data, making online activities more difficult to track down.

How to Check Other People’s IP Locations

In addition to knowing your own IP, you can also check the location of someone else’s IP address. Some of the ways that can be used include:

• Using IP location search sites such as iplocation.net, whatsmyipaddress.com, or geoiptool.com. Enter the IP address you want to check, then the site will display an estimated location, including the country, city, and internet service provider (ISP).
• Use the ping and traceroute command on the computer to track the connection path and server location.
• Take advantage of the WHOIS service to get IP address registration information.

Keep in mind that the location displayed from the IP search is usually estimate and not always 100 percent accurate, because it depends on the location of the server of the internet service provider.

Additional security tips

• Use trusted VPN services for important activities such as banking transactions.
• Avoid accessing public WiFi networks without protection.
• Update the software and operating systems periodically to avoid security vulnerabilities.

By understanding how to check your IP, track the location of another person’s IP, and hide your own IP, you can better control your privacy and security when surfing the internet.