Understanding the concept of IP, including the differences between private and public IPs, is essential for anyone who wants to optimize their online experience. It’s important to know when you need a public IP address, as it can provide unique identification and accessibility necessary for some scenarios and tasks.
With this knowledge, you can ensure more efficient and effective connectivity, so you get the most out of your online experience.
What is a Public IP in Internet Connection?
A Public IP address in internet connection is a universal identifier assigned to every individual device connected to the internet, and it is globally unique.
The Internet Assigned Number Authority (IANA) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are the parties responsible for assigning and managing availability and uniqueness of Public IP addresses. With IANA and ISPs help, devices connected to the internet worldwide can communicate with each other seamlessly.
When Do You Need Public IPs?
Having a public IP address is necessary in some situations, and there are several common scenarios where it becomes vital to use. Let us take a closer look at these situations and discuss their significance:
1. Accessing a Network or Device Remotely
You will need a public IP address if you need to access your device when you are not in its physical location.
The public address enables secure communication between your device and the network. It means you can remotely access your laptop or desktop computer from any location with an internet connection.
2. Video Conferencing and VoIP
Video conference calls and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls operate on public IPs to establish direct connections between the callers. This is a reliable and efficient way to ensure that the callers communicate smoothly without any interruption.
3. Ecommerce and Online Transactions
Many apps and websites that handle transactions or sensitive information over the internet rely on public IP addresses to maintain secure communication with their payment gateways and customers. This type of address help the apps and websites to protect, build, and maintain the trust of their users.
4. Manage and Control IoT
IoT, or Internet of Things, refers to a wide range of devices such as smart home appliances, sensors, and security cameras. These devices operate on public IPs, allowing users to remotely access, control, and manage them from anywhere as long as they have access to the internet.
5. Running Servers
Companies that provide internet services such as emails, gaming servers, and file servers use public IP addresses. This address acts as a gateway for users to connect and interact with these services over the internet.
6. Web Hosting
Adding a public IP address on your servers is necessary if you’re planning to start your web hosting service.
This will not only make websites accessible to users worldwide but also ensure that your business is keeping up with industry standards alongside web hosting companies such as Bluehost and Namecheap.
7. Public Applications
It’s important to use public IP address if you’re building an application for public use to ensure that the app is easily accessible to users across the web.
Mobile apps and web-based tools such as APIs and cloud-based services need public IP addresses to ensure their availability and accessibility.
By including public IP addresses in your application, you can help users access your services without any hassle, which can ultimately enhance the user experience and promote the value of your brand.
8. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)
If you are planning to offer a streaming service or create content, it is important to use a public address that can be accessed by users from anywhere in the world.
By utilizing a public IP address, you can ensure that your users will experience faster loading times and reduced latency when accessing your content. This will help to enhance the overall user experience and enable your service to reach a wider audience.
9. When Setting Up VPN
Developer, business and individuals can use VPNs alongside public IPs to establish a safe and reliable connection between private servers, corporate networks, and relevant resources.
By encrypting data traffic, VPNs enable users to access resources securely from any location as long as they have a connection to the network. The VPN connection ensures the privacy and security of sensitive data and information.
What’s Dangerous about Public IPs?
It is imperative to acknowledge the importance of Public IP addresses. However, they can provide access to your devices for anyone with internet connectivity, including malicious actors.
Cybercriminals can exploit vulnerabilities to steal sensitive information, which and then use the data for blackmail or sell them for financial gain.
Furthermore, hackers can manipulate internet access settings and deploy phishing sites to acquire login credentials. Therefore, it is essential to adopt appropriate security measures to safeguard against these potential risks.
