A network address is a code used to identify computers on a network, similar to a house number and street name for mail delivery. The most common protocol is Internet Protocol (IP), which uses 32 bits. Media Access Control (MAC) uses 48 bits and provides physical location information. While network addresses can be used to trace someone, it requires a warrant. Privacy concerns are minimal unless illegal activity is involved.
A network address is simply a code used by computers as a means of identification. Just as getting information to and from your home requires the postal service to know the house number and street name, a network address does the same thing for a computer network. Without a way to convey this information, the idea of the Internet would be nearly useless.
Just like the postal service, a computer needs to know where it’s sending information. The network address is a set of unique identifying information that can be used to find the right destination. While many may have heard of such an identifier being used to decipher theft schemes and other types of online crime, this is really only a small part of the overall importance of the address. Almost all information requires this address.
There are several ways to configure a network address on a computer. The most common way is to use a protocol known as Internet Protocol (IP). An address using this protocol may also be referred to as an IP address. The information for the IP address is contained in 32 bits. It is likely that a computer will maintain the same IP address at least when connected to the Internet, although it may also change periodically and can be reset manually.
The other type of protocol is known as Media Access Control (MAC). This type of network address is a little more involved simply because it uses 48 bits instead of 32. Information from a MAC number is very useful and offers clues along the way as to where your computer came from and where it is currently from. physical point of view. Even the IP address can offer some of these facts.
The network address can be used to trace someone wanted, but this happens very rarely. In most cases, getting the information about a computer’s physical location is highly privileged. It will likely require some sort of warrant to gain access to that kind of information.
This ability to track your computer has led some to have security concerns about the amount of privacy afforded by a network address. While it may be possible for someone to find out who the Internet Service Provider is and even a city or country, getting more specific information than that is going to be very difficult. Unless the consumer is doing something illegal, having a network address is probably nothing to worry about.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
