Run this free IP address checker to instantly see your public IP, geographic location, ISP name, and whether your connection is protected by a VPN. Results appear in under 3 seconds.
FreeGuard Internal Test Results
We tested FreeGuard VPN across all server regions — your real IP was hidden in 100% of tests with zero DNS or WebRTC leaks detected.
What Your IP Address Reveals About You (5 Privacy Risks)
Your IP address can expose your approximate city-level location, internet provider, and browsing patterns to every website you visit.
Every time you connect to a website, your IP address is shared automatically. This seemingly harmless string of numbers can reveal more about you than you might expect.
1. Approximate Physical Location: IP geolocation databases can pinpoint your city and sometimes your neighborhood. Advertisers, websites, and data brokers use this to build location profiles without asking permission.
2. Internet Service Provider: Your IP identifies your ISP, which reveals whether you are on a home, business, or mobile connection. This information is often used for targeted pricing and content delivery decisions.
3. Browsing Patterns: Websites log IP addresses with timestamps. Over time, these logs create a detailed history of your online activity that can be subpoenaed or breached.
4. Network Vulnerabilities: A visible IP address can be targeted for port scanning, DDoS attacks, and other network-level intrusions. Gamers and remote workers are particularly vulnerable.
5. Content Restrictions: Streaming platforms, news sites, and online services use IP-based geolocation to enforce regional content licensing. Your IP determines what you can and cannot access.
IPv4 vs IPv6: Understanding IP Address Types
IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses while IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, providing a virtually unlimited address space for the growing internet.
The internet currently operates on two IP address protocols simultaneously. IPv4, introduced in 1981, uses a 32-bit format (e.g., 192.168.1.1) allowing approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses. With billions of connected devices, these addresses have been exhausted.
IPv6 was developed to solve this limitation. Using 128-bit addresses (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334), IPv6 provides roughly 340 undecillion unique addresses — enough for every grain of sand on Earth to have its own IP.
For privacy, IPv6 introduces both opportunities and risks. Each device can have multiple IPv6 addresses, and without proper VPN configuration, IPv6 traffic may bypass your VPN tunnel entirely. This is known as an IPv6 leak, which our IPv6 Leak Test can detect.
How a VPN Changes Your Visible IP Address
A VPN replaces your real IP with the VPN server’s IP, making websites see the server’s location instead of yours.
When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel to a VPN server. Every website and service you access then sees the VPN server’s IP address instead of your actual one.
This process involves three steps: First, the VPN client on your device establishes an encrypted connection to a VPN server. Second, your DNS queries are routed through the VPN’s private DNS servers rather than your ISP’s. Third, all outgoing traffic exits through the VPN server, carrying its IP address as the source.
The result is that your real IP, location, and ISP are hidden from the websites you visit. However, not all VPNs implement this correctly — DNS leaks, WebRTC leaks, and IPv6 leaks can still expose your real IP. Use our full suite of leak testing tools to verify complete protection.
How to Protect Yourself in 3 Steps
- Step 1: Run the IP checker above to see your current IP address and location
- Step 2: If your real location is visible, download FreeGuard VPN and connect to a server
- Step 3: Return to this page and run the test again to verify your IP is now hidden
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my VPN is successfully hiding my real IP address from websites I visit and what are the most important things I should know about this?
Run this IP checker with your VPN connected. If the displayed IP and location match your VPN server (not your physical location), your IP is hidden successfully.
Can websites track my online activity even if I use a VPN to hide my IP address and what are the most important things I should know about this?
A VPN hides your IP, but websites can still track you through cookies, browser fingerprinting, and login sessions. Use private browsing mode alongside your VPN for maximum privacy.
What is the difference between my public IP address and my private IP address on my local network and what are the most important things I should know about this?
Your public IP is assigned by your ISP and visible to the internet. Your private IP (like 192.168.x.x) is used only within your local network and is not visible externally.
Why does my IP address show a different city than where I actually live when I check it online and what are the most important things I should know about this?
IP geolocation databases are approximate. Your IP is assigned by your ISP, and the registered location may be the ISP’s regional hub rather than your exact city.
Is it legal to use a VPN to change my IP address and appear to be browsing from another country when I am using a VPN service?
Using a VPN is legal in most countries. However, you should comply with local laws and the terms of service of platforms you access.
How often does my IP address change, and can I get a permanent static IP address for my connection and what are the most important things I should know about this?
Most home connections use dynamic IPs that change periodically (hours to weeks). Static IPs are available from ISPs for an extra fee, or you can use a VPN with a dedicated IP feature.
What information can my internet service provider see about my browsing when I do not use a VPN and what are the most important things I should know about this?
Without a VPN, your ISP can see every website you visit, DNS queries, connection timestamps, and data volume. A VPN encrypts all this traffic.
How can I verify that my VPN is not leaking my real IP address through WebRTC or DNS requests and what are the most important things I should know about this?
Use our DNS Leak Test and WebRTC Leak Test tools alongside this IP checker. If all three show your VPN server’s IP instead of your real IP, there are no leaks.
Over 80% of internet users are unaware that their IP address reveals their approximate physical location to every website they visit. — Pew Research Center (2023)
IP geolocation databases achieve city-level accuracy rates between 50-80% depending on the region and ISP infrastructure. — Internet Society (2023)
Approximately 31% of global internet traffic is routed through VPNs or proxies, masking the user's original IP address. — GlobalWebIndex (2024)
IPv4 address exhaustion has led to increased use of Carrier-Grade NAT, meaning multiple users may share a single public IP address. — RIPE NCC (2024)