IP Chicken is a popular online tool that displays your IP address when you visit the website. Many users turn to IP Chicken to check their IP information, but a common question arises: Does it show your private or public IP address? Understanding the difference between these two types of IP addresses is essential for privacy, security, and networking purposes.
A public IP address is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is visible to external websites and services. In contrast, a private IP address is used within your local network and is not directly accessible from the Internet. Since private IPs are protected by routers and Network Address Translation (NAT), websites like IP Chicken cannot access them.
Understanding IP Addresses
IP (Internet Protocol) addresses are unique numerical identifiers assigned to devices connected to a network. They help devices communicate with each other over the Internet or within a local network. There are two main types of IP addresses: Public IPs and Private IPs.
What is a Public IP Address?
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns a public IP address that is used to identify your device or network on the Internet. This IP is unique across the web, allowing other networks and services to recognize and communicate with your system.
Key Characteristics of Public IPs:
- Globally Unique: No two devices can have the same public IP at the same time.
- Provided by ISPs: Your ISP assigns a public IP to your modem or router.
- Used for Internet Communication: Websites, online services, and remote devices use public IPs to connect.
Examples of Public IPs:
- IPv4 Example: 203.0.113.45
- IPv6 Example: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
How to Find Your Public IP:
- Websites like IP Chicken or WhatIsMyIP.com display your public IP.
- Searching “What is my IP?” on Google will also reveal it.
What is a Private IP Address?
A private IP address is assigned to devices within a local network (e.g., home, office, or business network). These IPs are used for internal communication between devices like computers, smartphones, printers, and routers.
Key Characteristics of Private IPs:
- Not Unique Globally: Many different networks can use the same private IP ranges.
- Assigned by Routers: Routers use DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to assign private IPs to connected devices.
- Cannot Be Accessed from the Internet: Private IPs only work within a local network.
Standard Private IP Ranges (IPv4):
According to RFC 1918, private IP addresses fall within specific ranges:
- Class A: 10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255
- Class B: 172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255
- Class C: 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255
Examples of Private IPs:
- Typical Home Network IPs: 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.100, 10.0.0.5
How to Find Your Private IP:
- Windows: Run ipconfig in Command Prompt.
- Mac/Linux: Use ifconfig or ip a in Terminal.
- Router Settings: Check the connected device list on your router’s admin page.
The Role of NAT (Network Address Translation)
Most home and office networks use Network Address Translation (NAT) to allow multiple devices to share a single public IP. Here’s how it works:
- Your router has a public IP assigned by your ISP.
- Devices in your local network have private IPs assigned by the router.
- NAT translates the private IPs into the public IP when connecting to the Internet.
This ensures that your private IPs are not exposed to external websites or services.
How IP Chicken Works
IP Chicken is a simple web-based tool that displays your public IP address when you visit its website. It works by detecting and indicating the IP address assigned to your device by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
How It Retrieves Your IP Address
When you visit IP Chicken, your browser sends a request to the website’s server. This request contains several pieces of information, including:
- Your public IP address (assigned by your ISP).
- Browser details (User-Agent, OS, etc.).
- Other network-related data.
IP Chicken extracts your public IP from the request and displays it on the webpage.
Does IP Chicken Show Your Private IP?
No, IP Chicken does not display your private IP address. Your router assigns your private IP for internal network communication and is not exposed to external websites.
For example:
- Public IP (shown by IP Chicken): 203.0.113.45 (provided by your ISP).
- Private IP (hidden from IP Chicken): 192.168.1.10 (assigned by your router).
Since your router uses Network Address Translation (NAT) to manage internet traffic, external websites like IP Chicken can only see your public IP.
Additional Features of IP Chicken
- Remote Access Use: Some users check their public IP to set up remote access to their network.
- Dynamic vs. Static IP: IP Chicken helps users determine if their ISP assigns a dynamic or static IP.
- Proxy and VPN Detection: If you’re using a VPN or proxy, IP Chicken may show the IP of the proxy/VPN server instead of your actual public IP.
Does IP Chicken Show My Private or Public IP?
IP Chicken is a popular online tool that helps users determine their IP address. Many wonder whether it shows their private or public IP address. The answer is straightforward: IP Chicken only displays your public IP address, not your private IP. This is because public and private IP addresses serve different purposes in networking.
A public IP address is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is used to identify your network on the Internet. This is the IP address that websites, online services, and other devices on the web can see when you connect to them. On the other hand, a private IP address is assigned by your router to devices within your local network, such as computers, smartphones, and smart home devices. Private IPs are used for communication between devices within the same network and are not accessible from the Internet.
IP Chicken works by detecting the IP address used to communicate with its servers. Since external websites can only see your public IP address, IP Chicken displays that. Your private IP address is not exposed to the Internet because it is hidden behind a Network Address Translation (NAT) system, which ensures that only your public IP is visible to external sites and services. This is a fundamental security feature that prevents outside entities from directly accessing devices on your local network.
If you need to find your private IP address, you won’t be able to use IP Chicken or any other web-based IP checker. Instead, you must check your device’s network settings. On Windows, you can open the Command Prompt and type ipconfig to find the IPv4 address. On Mac, opening the Terminal and running ifconfig | grep “inet” will show the private IP. Linux users can use ip a or ifconfig in the Terminal to check their local network address.
How to Check Your Private IP Address
Your private IP is used within your local network and isn’t visible to websites like IP Chicken. Here’s how to find it on different devices:
Windows:
- Open Command Prompt (Win + R → cmd → Enter).
- Type: ipconfig → Look for the IPv4 Address under your network.
macOS:
- System Settings → Network → Select your active connection.
- Or, use Terminal: ipconfig getifaddr en0.
Linux:
- Open Terminal and type: hostname -I or ip a | grep init.
Android/iOS:
- Wi-Fi Settings → Tap your connected network → Find IP Address.
Your private IP is usually in the 192.168.x.x or 10. x.x.x range. Let me know if you need more details!
Privacy Concerns and Security Tips
Privacy Concerns of Public IP Exposure
- It reveals the location (city, ISP) and can be used for tracking.
- Target for cyberattacks (DDoS, hacking, port scanning).
- Used for monitoring & advertising by websites and advertisers.
- This may lead to IP bans or restrictions on specific platforms.
Security Tips to Protect Your Public IP
- Use a VPN to encrypt traffic and hide your IP.
- Use a proxy server that Masks IP but doesn’t encrypt traffic.
- Restart your router You can change the IP if assigned dynamically.
- Enable firewall & secure router Prevent unauthorized access.
- Use privacy-focused browsers/extensions Reduces tracking.
- Avoid clicking suspicious links It prevents IP grabbers from logging your IP.
Hiding your IP isn’t always necessary, but it’s useful for privacy, security, and avoiding geo-restrictions.
Conclusion
IP Chicken displays your public IP, not your private IP, as private IPs remain hidden within local networks. Understanding the difference between public and private IPs helps with online privacy and security. If you want to protect your public IP, consider using a VPN or proxy. Being aware of your IP address can help you troubleshoot network issues and safeguard your online identity.