Public vs Private IP Address: Know the Difference

Study Notes

An IP address is a numerical address that identifies a computer or device on a network, and every device needs one for communication purposes.
There are two types of IP addresses: public and private, with public IP addresses being unique and registered on the internet, allowing access to the worldwide web.
When you order internet service from an internet service provider, they assign a public IP address to your modem or router, which allows you to access the internet.
Public IP addresses are unique, and there are no duplicates worldwide.
Initially, engineers thought 4 billion IPv4 addresses would be sufficient, but due to the rapid growth of the internet, they realized it was not enough.
To avoid a shortage of public IPv4 addresses, engineers developed private IP addresses, which are not publicly registered on the internet and cannot be accessed directly.
Private IP addresses are used internally within a network, such as in a home or business, and are not used on the public internet.
A service called DHCP assigns private IP addresses to devices within a network.
If multiple devices need internet access, they require public IP addresses, which can be expensive and wasteful.
Instead, a router can assign private IP addresses to devices and translate them to a single public IP address, using a service called NAT (Network Address Translation).
Private IP addresses have three classes, A, B, and C, with different ranges, and Class C is the most commonly used.
To find your IP address, you can use the command prompt on Windows or terminal on Mac/Linux and type "ipconfig" or "ifconfig".
To find your public IP address, you can use a website such as whatsmyipaddress.com.
Public IP addresses are unique, while private IP addresses are not, as the same private IP address can be used in different private networks.
Public IP addresses are publicly registered, allowing access to the internet, while private IP addresses are not, and cannot access the internet directly.
Public IP addresses are used externally on the internet, while private IP addresses are used internally on local networks.
Public IP addresses are assigned by your internet service provider, while private IP addresses are assigned by your router.
Public IP addresses are not free, and you must pay for them, whereas private IP addresses are free.
In terms of security, public IP addresses are not secure, as they are exposed on the internet, making them traceable, and require additional security measures.
Private IP addresses are safer, as they are hidden from the internet and cannot be traced outside their own network.
However, private IP addresses still need to be translated to a public IP address when accessing the internet, exposing the public IP address.