No, incognito mode doesn't hide your IP address, despite what many people assume. While incognito (or private browsing) prevents your browser from saving your local browsing history, cookies, and form entries, it doesn't change how your device connects to the internet. Your IP address remains fully visible to websites, your internet service provider, network administrators, and potentially government agencies.

Hiding your IP address isn't particularly difficult with the right tools. The most popular and user-friendly method is using Windscribe VPN, which routes your traffic through servers in different locations, masking your real IP with one from their network.

Checking if your VPN is actually working takes just a minute and provides peace of mind.

For a deeper check, look for DNS leaks by using a specialized testing site like dnsleaktest.com. A properly functioning VPN should show the VPN provider's DNS servers, not your ISP's.

The simplest method is to check your apparent IP address through websites like ipleak.net or browserleaks.com, which are specifically designed to detect various types of leaks. If you're using a VPN and these sites show your actual IP instead of the VPN server's address, you've got a leak.

The most common cause is IP geolocation database inaccuracy, these databases aren't perfect and sometimes assign locations based on where your ISP has technical infrastructure rather than your physical position.

An IP address works like your home's street address but for the digital world. Your computer, phone, smart TV, each needs an IP address to send and receive data online.

Think of it as the return address on a letter; without it, websites wouldn't know where to send the information you've requested.

IP addresses also help distinguish your device from the billions of others connected worldwide, ensuring your Google search results end up on your screen rather than someone else's in Tokyo.

IPv4 and IPv6 represent different generations of internet addressing systems, with some key distinctions between them.

The older IPv4 uses a format like 192.168.1.1 with just 32 bits, which created a limited pool of about 4.3 billion possible addresses.

As the internet exploded, we started running out of these addresses. IPv6 came along with a much longer format (like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334) using 128 bits, providing trillions upon trillions of unique addresses.

Besides solving the address shortage, IPv6 offers better security features and more efficient routing. You'll likely encounter both types today, with many networks gradually transitioning while supporting both systems simultaneously.

No, 192.168.x.x isn't your "real" public IP address, it's a private address used within your home network.

When you see addresses starting with 192.168, they're part of a reserved range that routers assign to devices in your home. They're like internal extension numbers in an office building. Your actual public IP address, the one websites see, is different and assigned by your internet service provider.

The quickest way to find your IP address is to use Windscribe’s IP checker tool, which reveals your public IP address at the click of a button.

For your device's local IP address on Windows, you can type "ipconfig" in Command Prompt. Mac users can check under System Preferences → Network.

On smartphones, look in your Wi-Fi or network settings.

Smart TV owners will find IP information in the network configuration menu.

Your public IP is what the outside world sees, while your local IP (often starting with 192.168) is only visible within your home network. Each provides different insights depending on what you're troubleshooting.

Yes, websites can definitely see your IP address and it's actually necessary for them to function. When you visit a site, your device and that site's server need to exchange data packets, and your IP serves as the return address. This visibility gives sites certain information: your approximate location (usually city-level), your internet service provider, and sometimes your connection type. Many sites use this data to customize content, display region-appropriate ads, or enforce geographic restrictions on streaming content.

Yes, your ISP can see substantial details about your online activities through your IP address. Without encryption, they can view every website you visit, how long you stay, and how much data you transfer.

Even with HTTPS encryption (the padlock in your browser), they can still see which domains you access, though not specific pages or content within those sites

Yes, you can change your IP address.

The simplest approach for most home users is restarting your router, which often results in your ISP assigning a new dynamic IP address upon reconnection. If that doesn't work, try releasing and renewing your IP by typing "ipconfig /release" followed by "ipconfig /renew" in Command Prompt (Windows) or using Network Preferences on Mac.

A static IP address serves specific needs that dynamic IPs can't fulfill. If you run a home server, host websites, or operate gaming servers, a permanent address ensures people can always find your services without disruption.

Remote work setups often require static IPs for secure access to company networks, as IT departments can whitelist these unchanging addresses. Smart home enthusiasts find static IPs valuable for reliable remote access to security cameras and home automation systems. Some online services with strict security protocols like banking apps may restrict access to registered IP addresses only.

"IP banned" or "IP blocked" means a website or service has specifically restricted access from your particular internet address.

When you attempt to connect, the server recognizes your blacklisted IP and denies your request before you can view content or use the service.

This happens for various reasons: websites block IPs associated with abusive behavior like spamming, repeated login attempts, or content scraping. Gaming platforms might ban IPs linked to cheating or harassment. Streaming services block addresses known to circumvent geo-restrictions.

These blocks can affect you even if you've done nothing wrong, especially if you're on a shared IP with other users or if you've inherited an IP previously used by someone problematic.

Websites block specific IP addresses for several reasons related to security, business operations, and legal compliance.

Security teams frequently blacklist IPs showing suspicious patterns like multiple failed login attempts, content scraping, or DDoS attack participation.

Some sites implement geographic IP blocks to comply with licensing agreements or international trade restrictions.

E-commerce platforms might restrict addresses from regions with high fraud rates to protect their business.

Forums and social platforms block IPs associated with spam, harassment, or policy violations to maintain community standards.

Government agencies or financial institutions often restrict access to approved IP ranges as a security measure.

Sometimes temporary blocks occur when an IP generates unusually high traffic volumes, triggering automated abuse-prevention systems.

These practices help maintain service quality and security, though they occasionally impact legitimate users sharing blocked IPs.