It is possible for hackers to trick you by using IP snooping, but you can get protection with a Dynamic IP address or a Static IP address. The question is, which one is better? This is not an easy question to answer, but we are going to do our best to explain what needs to be done. Here’s the thing, every device you have that is connected to the internet has its own IP address. For those who aren’t aware, an IP address is a unique string of numbers that makes it possible to tell one machine apart from another.
Dynamic IP address vs Static IP address: Which is better?
As the name suggests, a static IP address never changes, while a dynamic IP address does from time to time. For example, a dynamic IP address can change daily or weekly, but there are others that change every time the router is restarted.
How to find my IP address?
There are two types of categories for IP addresses, and they are considered internal and external. Internal is linked directly to your computer. You can find it by pressing the Start button on the keyboard, then type cmd to fire up the Command Prompt. Type ipconfig and right away your local IP will be shown inside of the editor.
If you want to find out if their external IP address is static or dynamic you can simply use the Command Prompt.
- To do this, open the Command Prompt via your Windows computer,
- Type
ipconfig/all, and hit the Enter key. - Next, look for the DHCP Enabled line from the results, and check to see if Yes is located next to it. If that is the case, then it means your IP is dynamic.
When we take performance and the speed of your internet connection into consideration, there aren’t any huge differences between the two IP addresses, but that’s only true for home networks. They differ greatly where privacy and security are concerned, and those are the most important.
The problem here is that cybercriminals can misuse IP addresses in several ways. The most common way is IP spoofing, and this happens whenever the hacker obscures the source of IP packets with the plan of tricking the victim while making it seem as if the traffic is coming from a source that is deemed trusted. Now, because dynamic IP addresses change often, they are not as vulnerable to IP spoofing when compared to static IP addresses. Additionally, we should note that dynamic IP address brings to the table more privacy, but don’t be fooled because you can still be tracked, but hackers and other bad actors will have a more difficult time knowing who you are.
Another great thing about dynamic IP is its ability to be configured automatically by the DCHP Server, something not possible with Static IP because it requires manual configuration at all times. Bear in mind that manually adding a static IP address opens you up to more risks and security problems across the board.
Is Static IP risky?
In most cases, static IP addresses are seen as less secure when compared to the alternative. That is because static IP addresses do not change, therefore, data may be easier to find and gain access to by hackers. Furthermore, due to the nature of the static address, it is more likely for it to be hit with follow-up attacks.
As it stands, then, it is clear that dynamic IP is the better option when compared to static IP, so if you are bullish about security on the web, then dynamic IP is your better bet going forward.
However, businesses tend to favor static IP addresses since they can be used for hosting, and are more stable.
READ: How to find the IP address of a website using Command Prompt
