Browsing the Internet is similar to driving a car. Each car has signs that help to locate it. So on the Internet, instead of signs, there are the addresses IP to every online device.
Whenever useste proletterlike web browsers to connect to a website, browsers give enough information about you to the server where the website exists.
Each connection it reveals the device's IP address to the server, and in return, it will display the server's IP address.
The same applies to other types of Internet connections. An e-mail client like Outlook or Thunderbird to connect to mail servers shares the device components you use with the hosts and other users. Basically, the IP address is revealed on every connection made by a device.
An IP address, like a car license plate, does not necessarily disclose the driver but only the owner of the connection.
The IP address reveals public information. It can be used to teach someone the Internet service you are using, but it can not be used by a neighbor to reveal the address of your home.
Things are, of course, very different for requests sent by authorities to Internet companies. Providers keep all additional information such as date, time, IP addresses, and clients used with these addresses.
If the authorities request information for an IP address, they can associate the data, and find out much more information, since your ISP knows your home address and the account owner.
There are two main methods for protecting you on the Internet:
1. Use an Internet connection that can not be associated with you. This can be done using public WiFi.
2. Use a proxy server or a VPN server. This places a security grid between your IP address and the Internet. So all connections seen by the servers come from a proxy or IP VPN. There are of course ways of locating and linking the connection but it does not need more than a request to your provider.
