Just like how your home or business has an address, every computer, tablet, and smartphone has an address on the Internet. An Internet Protocol (IP) address helps guide traffic and manage the flow of data between devices and servers. It also serves as an essential tool in cybersecurity efforts.
A Brief Overview of IP Addresses
Modern IP addresses come in several varieties: IPv4 vs IPv6, and static vs dynamic.
IPv4 and IPv6 use different addressing formats to generate IP addresses: 32-bit for IPv4 and 128-bit for IPv6. IPv6 was developed to keep pace with the growing number of Internet-capable devices, which IPv4 could no longer keep up with. While IPv4 could provide over 4 billion unique addresses, IPv6 is capable of generating 340 undecillion, or 340 trillion trillion trillion addresses.
IP addresses also come in static and dynamic variants. A static, or dedicated IP address, is fixed and does not change. These are primarily used by businesses that operate servers with a constant presence on the Internet or need to guarantee constant uptime. Industrial panel PCs and tablets are other common users of static IP addresses.
As their name implies, dynamic IP addresses change regularly. This can be done at timed intervals, such as every 24 hours or every time a user logs into the service. A dynamic IP address is assigned to the device by Internet service providers and is commonly used by households and private consumers.
IP Addresses and Cybersecurity
An IP address provides critical information about the geographical location and behavior of a device or user, making it essential for detecting cybersecurity threats. IP geolocation services such as IP2Location.io can track and verify IP addresses, sorting out legitimate connections from potential threats.
IP geolocation data can help prevent fraud by tracking the geographical locations and behavioral patterns in online transactions. This lets it detect anomalies such as a strangely high number of transactions from a single IP or an unauthorized address trying to access high-value information.
Domain ownership, which IP tracking also accomplishes, helps validate legitimate connections, trace cyberattacks, and assess a domain's reputation. If a domain has a history of suspicious activity, these services can automatically block access.
Final Thoughts
Understanding IP addresses and how they interact with cybersecurity is a fundamental part of having a strong security posture. By implementing IP tracking and locating solutions, companies can monitor who accesses their websites and networks and be better prepared for a potential attack.
If you're looking for rugged industrial tablets and computers compatible with IP address geolocation services, contact the team at Cybernet Manufacturing. We'd be happy to discuss how our products work with a range of cybersecurity measures, including IP geolocation, biometric access, and data encryption.
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