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IP/ISP Do they change while logged into the internet?

Bill & Amy

Bill & Amy

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Most of us have IP that remains constant for our computer. From what I have just been told recently some (like AOL) could have a different one each time they log in. But, can they change while logged in and using the internet? :shrug01: I know very little about specifics of such issues and would like to gain some more info. Also can a user that is trying to avoid detection change their ISP at will? A recent issue brought this up and I will post some of the posts after this gets some answers. ;)
 
The difference is between static and dynamic IP addresses. Static IPs are constant and do not change for a given account. Dynamic IPs are assigned upon logging in.
Unless there's something I am unaware of, an IP does not change within a given session, but should a person with dynamic IP disconnect and reconnect, it can change, although it will still be within the set range for that ISP.

Static IPs are becoming mroe common, but dynamic IPs are still often used. Even my DSL is dynamic. Static is available, and I could have one if I wanted, but I have no specific need for it so I haven't asked.

All that being said however, there are a few programs as well as paid services that will route internet traffic through a series of global servers called proxies and essentially mask a user's true IP.
Now someone with the appropriate resources and knowledge could actually retrace the routings and potentially be able to discover the originating IP, but for the average Joe like me or you we wouldn't have a clue.

This is my understanding of the subject and I haven't had a need to really learn the full details of the process, so others will definately have something to add and possibly corrections to what I have said.
I would be interested in becoming better versed on this topic myself so I will be anxious to read what others have to say as well.
 
Not much more to add. Clay pretty much nailed it.

I have cable internet access and a dynamic IP. BUT, it often dont change in months. Same with many DSL users, your IP may not change for weeks or months at a time.

Dial up users IP numbers will change every time they disconnect from the internet. They will just be assigned a new IP number from a pool when they reconnect.

For Dial up users your IP addy absolutely will not change until you log out and then log back in again.

Cable/DSL users IP addys can change, but is unlikely to happen when you are surfing. And if it did it would kill your current connection and you would have to restart your browser, and maybe even your PC to be able to connect to the NET again.

99.9% of Cable/DSL companies would only change a users IP addy once a day at most. But most will not change for weeks at a time unless you cut off power to the modem itself. And even then you may get the same IP addy back.
 
Well this is the thread that the below quote comes from. This person specifically says his IP address changes several times a day. Also it changed while someone was and they were responding, I am just trying to figure out what was going on. Within 6 minutes of a post, he was reposting saying that his IP changed. :shrug01:

The next question is if they can change can 2 people in seperate states end up with the same IP?




http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87946

jaxom1957 said:
And the point being that an IP address changes, as mine just did and does several times a day. Citing an IP address does not prove that they are the same person. Did I suddenly become someone else when mine changed?
Click to expand...
 
Bill & Amy said:
Well this is the thread that the below quote comes from. This person specifically says his IP address changes several times a day. Also it changed while someone was and they were responding, I am just trying to figure out what was going on. Within 6 minutes of a post, he was reposting saying that his IP changed. :shrug01:

The next question is if they can change can 2 people in seperate states end up with the same IP?

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87946
Click to expand...

It’s obvious that person is only trolling, so I stopped posting. The biggest fallacy in his argument is that his IP address didn’t change to someone else who is posting in the same thread. With all the other evidence in the BOI thread, he knows he is wrong and just arguing for argument sake.
 
Dennis Hultman said:
It’s obvious that person is only trolling, so I stopped posting. The biggest fallacy in his argument is that his IP address didn’t change to someone else who is posting in the same thread. With all the other evidence in the BOI thread, he knows he is wrong and just arguing for argument sake.
Click to expand...

I have been trying to figure out how he got the IP address to change while he was logged on the internet, I guess he could have logged out and logged back in. Seems funny that he knew what his IP address was right after you posted it. I wouldn't even know where to find that. :rofl:
 
Jaxom is most likely on dial up. Which means he gets a new IP addy every time he disconnects and re-connects to the NET. That dont happen with people on Cable and DSL. *The only time they get a new IP is when their ISP reassigns one to their modem or if their modem loses power.

Keep in mind, depending on how each individual ISP is running their network locally, even if your modem loses power you may still get the same IP back. Many assign IPs directly to each modem/router/NICs MAC address (In computer networking a Media Access Control address (MAC address) is a unique identifier attached to most forms of networking equipment. Modems, Routers, Ethernet cards, etc).

As far as two people in different states getting the same IP... yes, in theory, it is possible. Particularly with dial up accounts. But in the case we had in those two threads with crimson reptiles the odds are astronomical. You have a better chance of hitting the lottery.



*Or you can also force an IP change, but most people dont know how to do this and I aint helping them learn by sharing the info here.
 
I have heard of programs that supposedly will send "ghost" IP addresses, and supposedly does it every time you visit a site, click a link, etc. it sends a different address.
I don't know why you would need such a program though. LOL And don't know what it's called either. Just remember hearing it somewhere.

BTW, nice explanation of how things work guys. :thumbsup: I didn't know half of that stuff.

Rick
 
Thanks everyone for their explanations!!! I understand a little more than I did when the thread started. I wish everyone had set addresses, it would make life simple. ;)
 
A question for anyone familiar with the various software programs that alter IP addresses: Is it possible for someone to insert a specific IP address in an attempt to masquerade as someone else?

Thanks,
 
After completing a little research on line, I am amazed at how easy it is to surf the web anonymously (or even as someone else). There are literally hundreds of software programs that allow someone to hide their true identity on line.

I even found websites from which you can enter a web address and you will be taken to that site with a fake IP. Amazingly simple.

The bottom line is this. Using IP matching to confirm the identity of someone who does not want to be identified, is essentially pointless.
 
They are just using a proxy server. Nothing more, nothing less.

Which basically means you are logging into a proxy server, then all sites you visit are connecting from that proxy server's IP addy instead of your real IP addy. Thats it.

And it aint 100 anonymous. The company that owns the proxy server logs your real IP addy and where ever you go and what you do the net. Just like your ISP does. The feds can get a warrant for that info any time they want.

But no one can fake your real IP addy. I could not get your IP addy Mike and make it appear as though it is mine. So IP addys, while not 100 percent, are still very effective in identifying people.
 
We used to have a big long list of proxy server IP addys. We simply banned them all so no one could log into our site with proxy servers. So it aint that hard to defeat proxy servers. You simply ban the IP addys of proxy servers.
 
Sammy,
During my research, I saw software programs that claimed to be able to substitute any IP address for your own. Given the nature of these programs (I don't see any legitimate purpose for them), was that just a bunch of hoohey?

Thanks,
 
Just to elaborate a little further. ALL IP addresses are managed and created by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. Which is the world wide governing body of IP addresses. No one else on the planet can create, manage or distribute IP addresses.

The IANA generally allocates super-blocks (100's of 1000's of IP addys) to Regional Internet Registries, who in turn allocate smaller blocks to Internet service providers.

Comcast has a certain range of SPECIFIC IP addys that are assigned to them for their customers to use. Comcast can ONLY use those specific IP addys. They cant use the ones allocated to Time Warner or any other Internet service provider. Each Internet service provider HAS to use the SPECIFIC IP numbers assigned to them.

IP addys are as unique as phone numbers and work very much the same way. When I call you my unique phone number is contacting your unique phone number over a phone netwrok. Same as when I come to Fauna, my unique computer number (IP addy) is calling Fauna's unique computer number (IP addy) over a computer network. It is really the almost identical thing happening as with the phone network.
 
shrap said:
Just to elaborate a little further. ALL IP addresses are managed and created by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. Which is the world wide governing body of IP addresses. No one else on the planet can create, manage or distribute IP addresses.

The IANA generally allocates super-blocks (100's of 1000's of IP addys) to Regional Internet Registries, who in turn allocate smaller blocks to Internet service providers.

Comcast has a certain range of SPECIFIC IP addys that are assigned to them for their customers to use. Comcast can ONLY use those specific IP addys. They cant use the ones allocated to Time Warner or any other Internet service provider. Each Internet service provider HAS to use the SPECIFIC IP numbers assigned to them.

IP addys are as unique as phone numbers and work very much the same way. When I call you my unique phone number is contacting your unique phone number over a phone netwrok. Same as when I come to Fauna, my unique computer number (IP addy) is calling Fauna's unique computer number (IP addy) over a computer network. It is really the almost identical thing happening as with the phone network.
Click to expand...
Sammy,
How do you explain that IP's change?
My ISP is Roadrunner. They have a specific block of IP addresses at their disposal. I know for a fact that at various times, my IP address changes.

Here is a quote from the Roadrunner website:

FAQ:

12. Will having a Road Runner cable modem give the customer their own IP address? Not permanently, customers will be assigned an IP address dynamically when they open a Road Runner session by switching on their computer and clicking on the Road Runner icon. Currently only Business Customers can choose to pay an extra monthly fee for a static IP address.
In essence, anyone with a Roadrunner account in a given area can be assigned a dynamic IP any time they log on.
Click to expand...
My understanding is that this IP can (but not necessarily will) change anytime you log in or reset your modem.

Given the fact that Roadrunner has a finite number of IP address for an ever-growing customer base, how can the IP address effectively identify a certain user?

Thanks,
 
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