How to fix incorrect IP address?

Jonnumberone

Hi, I've just bought a new Aspire 3 laptop.  The IP address show Carlow, Ireland, whereas I live in the UK.  This prevents me accessing some sites, i.e. BBC.  How do I get it changed?

Many thanks for any advice

aphanic

That's a refreshing question, something that doesn't seem to appear plenty of times

Anyway, IP addresses identify a particular device that's connected to the Internet, determining where exactly that device is may not be possible: they're assigned in block to ISPs and the databases that contain data on geolocation are constantly being updated.

Then comes CGNAT, where several machines clamp together before being connected to the Internet (so to speak), so they all look the same even if they are in different locations. And VPNs do the same, they mask your location because you're connected to a server and from there onto the Internet.

Some websites may just be able to tell you the country, others could specify up to the city, but it's all not that reliable. I have just checked several sites to determine my location based on the IP address and they do get it right, Madrid (Spain); but it wasn't the case in the past, I was detected as being in the País Vasco (top most of Spain).

All in all, you have nothing to worry about, it may be fixed in a couple of weeks when they update their geolocation databases.

aphanic

Jonnumberone said:

Thanks aphanic, I'd thought that an IP address was permanent, so I've learnt something.  Now sorted, thanks

Sometimes it is, it's what's called static IP addresses. That happens when the Internet provider always gives you the same one, but that's quite rare nowadays. Basically there are 2 standards IPv4 and IPv6. Everyone uses v4 and some people are capable of v6, but that's still rare, you could check here: https://test-ipv6.com

Since the number of v4 IPs is limited (anything connected to the Internet needs an ID: phones, smart devices like lamps or switches, etc), they are recycled that's what's called dynamic IP addresses instead. If you turned off your router for example, and turned it back on (after some time it happens, but I don't know if just a reset is enough, depends on the provider); you'll likely be looking at a different public IP address already .

And the same happens in your house, the CGNAT I mentioned stands for Carrier Grade NAT, in your house there's NAT which means everything connected to the router has its own private IPv4 address, but you all share the public one.

Internet providers usually make you pay more if you want a personal, static IP address.

aphanic

That's a refreshing question, something that doesn't seem to appear plenty of times

Anyway, IP addresses identify a particular device that's connected to the Internet, determining where exactly that device is may not be possible: they're assigned in block to ISPs and the databases that contain data on geolocation are constantly being updated.

Then comes CGNAT, where several machines clamp together before being connected to the Internet (so to speak), so they all look the same even if they are in different locations. And VPNs do the same, they mask your location because you're connected to a server and from there onto the Internet.

Some websites may just be able to tell you the country, others could specify up to the city, but it's all not that reliable. I have just checked several sites to determine my location based on the IP address and they do get it right, Madrid (Spain); but it wasn't the case in the past, I was detected as being in the País Vasco (top most of Spain).

All in all, you have nothing to worry about, it may be fixed in a couple of weeks when they update their geolocation databases.

Jonnumberone

Thanks aphanic, I'd thought that an IP address was permanent, so I've learnt something.  Now sorted, thanks

aphanic

Jonnumberone said:

Thanks aphanic, I'd thought that an IP address was permanent, so I've learnt something.  Now sorted, thanks

Sometimes it is, it's what's called static IP addresses. That happens when the Internet provider always gives you the same one, but that's quite rare nowadays. Basically there are 2 standards IPv4 and IPv6. Everyone uses v4 and some people are capable of v6, but that's still rare, you could check here: https://test-ipv6.com

Since the number of v4 IPs is limited (anything connected to the Internet needs an ID: phones, smart devices like lamps or switches, etc), they are recycled that's what's called dynamic IP addresses instead. If you turned off your router for example, and turned it back on (after some time it happens, but I don't know if just a reset is enough, depends on the provider); you'll likely be looking at a different public IP address already .

And the same happens in your house, the CGNAT I mentioned stands for Carrier Grade NAT, in your house there's NAT which means everything connected to the router has its own private IPv4 address, but you all share the public one.

Internet providers usually make you pay more if you want a personal, static IP address.