Static IP address or dynamic IP more secure?

But there are several types of IP addresses. Each type has its own purpose of serving and carrying a certain network security meaning.

What is your IP address?

IP addresses can be divided into two main categories: external IP and internal IP. An external IP address is assigned to you by your Internet service provider (ISP).

The fastest way to find out your external IP address is to visit WhatIsMyIP. Note that the address displayed on this website will not change if you access it on another device. This is because the external IP is associated with your router.

However, each device in your home network also has its own IP address. These are called internal or local IP addresses.

You can find the internal IP in a few seconds. To do so, press the Start button and type "cmd". Launch Command Prompt, and then type "ipconfig". Your local IP address will be displayed here. And if you want to know what your smartphone's local IP address is, you can see it in the settings menu.

Better static or dynamic IP address?

Static IP address or dynamic IP more secure? Picture 1

The IP address can be static or dynamic. As the name suggests, static IP addresses do not change, while dynamic IP addresses do. Some dynamic IP addresses change daily or weekly, while others only change when you restart the router.

Again, you can use the Command Prompt to determine if your external IP address is dynamic or static. Launch it and type "ipconfig/all". Scroll down to the Local Area Connection section and look for the line DHCP Enabled. If the text next to it is Yes , your IP is a dynamic IP. The process is pretty straightforward on Mac as well - you can access the IP address settings in System Preferences.

In terms of Internet speed and performance, there is no significant difference between static and dynamic IP addresses, at least when it comes to home networks. However, they are not the same in terms of security and privacy.

Cybercriminals can abuse IP addresses in many ways. A common and dangerous threat is known as IP spoofing. It occurs when a threat actor conceals the origin of IP packets with the goal of deceiving the victim and making the traffic appear to be coming from a trusted source.

Because dynamic IP addresses change frequently, they are less susceptible to network attacks. First, a dynamic IP address makes it harder for threat actors to track your online activities, thus providing a layer of protection against many different types of attacks.

Dynamic IP addresses also provide more privacy than static addresses. This doesn't mean you won't be tracked if you have a dynamic IP address (you can certainly be tracked), but data collectors, scammers, criminals, and tech companies will. have more difficulty identifying you. With a static IP, you only need to be identified once.

In addition, dynamic IP addresses are assigned and configured automatically by the DHCP server, while static addresses need to be set up manually. So when you upgrade your computer, you don't need to manually assign a static IP address to it (which risks creating security problems) - the router will do everything on its own.

Dynamic IP address is more secure

Dynamic IP addresses are more secure than static IP addresses and are perfect for home networks. But this doesn't mean that static IP addresses don't have their place. In fact, businesses often prefer them because they are stable and can be used for hosting.

But whether you are using a static or dynamic IP address, to stay safe and keep your privacy, you need fast and reliable VPN software. The good news is that there are many VPN providers out there these days, and some offer free services.

Samuel Daniel

Update 17 February 2023