The difference between static IP and dynamic IP

What is an IP address?

An IP address is a unique number assigned to each device on a TCP/IP network. Just as your home address tells people where to send your birthday cards, IP addresses identify computers and devices and let them communicate with each other.

Internally, IP addresses are stored as numbers. While computers are happy to use numbers, people prefer names. The Internet uses the Domain Name System (DNS) as the Internet's address book, so you can browse the Internet and address devices on the network using words, such as www.avast.com, instead of numbers. Those devices can be anything that can connect to a network: computers, TVs, smart speakers, and even your refrigerator. Today, almost every electronic device in your home can have an IP address.

When you type a URL in your web browser, it uses DNS to look up the IP address for that domain. For example, if you type www.avast.com in your browser, DNS returns one of several IP addresses, including 77.234.41.52.

There are two common versions of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6.

IPv4 has four hexadecimal numbers separated by periods - for example 192.168.0.1
And IPv6 has six colon-separated hexadecimal numbers - like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.
With nearly 4.3 billion IPv4 addresses, we have used almost all of them. There are far more IPv6 addresses. We will not run out of IPv6 addresses before the heat death of the universe.

What is a static IP address?

Static IP addressIt is just an address that does not change. Once assigned to your deviceStatic IP addressThe number usually stays the same until the device is decommissioned or your network architecture changes. Static IP addresses are commonly used by servers or other important devices.

How do you set up a static IP address?

To get a static IP address, you need to contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and request one from them. You can then change the regular IP address and set a static IP address in Windows settings. Note that creating a static IP address is an advanced networking feature and requires basic knowledge of the TCP/IP protocol.

Using the static IP address assigned by your ISP, here is how to manually enter an IP address on a Windows 10 device:

1、Click Start, then click Settings. Note that you need administrator privileges.

2、 Select Network and Internet in the Settings window.

3、Click Properties under the Local Connection field.

4、 Click Edit under IP assignment.

5、 Select Manual, turn on the IPv4 button, and then enter the IP address. Click Save.

Follow these step-by-step instructions on how to manually enter your IP address on other devices.

Static IP addresses are assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Your ISP may or may not assign you a static IP address, depending on the terms of your service agreement. We will cover your options later, but for now, assume that a static IP address increases the cost of your ISP contract.

A static IP address can be IPv4 or IPv6; in this case, the important quality is that it is static. One day, every networked device we own may have a uniqueStatic IPv6 address. We have not yet. At present, we usually useStatic IPv4 addressAs a permanent address.

What is a dynamic IP address?

As the name suggests, a dynamic IP address can change at any time, sometimes with almost no notice. Dynamic addresses are assigned as needed by the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.

We use dynamic addresses because IPv4 cannot provide enough static IP addresses. So, for example, a hotel may have one static IP address, but each individual device in its rooms will have a dynamic IP address.

On the Internet, the ISP's DHCP server may assign a dynamic IP address to your home or office. In your home or business network, your devices' dynamic IP addresses - whether they are personal computers, smartphones, streaming devices, tablets, or any other devices you own - may be assigned by your network router. Dynamic IP is the standard used by consumer devices.

Static IP vs dynamic IP: which is best for me?

There is no perfect IP address solution for everyone and every situation. Sometimes it is better for a computer or device to use a static IP address; sometimes dynamic IP addresses work best.
Whether a dynamic IP address or a static IP address is better for you also depends on the nature of the connection. Static IP addresses are more likely to be associated with businesses, while dynamic IP addresses are better suited to home networks.

Advantages of static IP

There are many advantages to using a static IP address. These benefits include:

Better DNS support:It is much easier to set up and manage a static IP address using DNS server settings.

Server hosting:If you are hosting a web server, email server, or any other type of server, having a static IP address makes it easier for customers to find you through DNS. In practical terms, this means customers can access your website and services faster if they have a static IP address.

Convenient remote access:A static IP address makes it much easier to work remotely using a virtual private network (VPN) or other remote access programs.

More reliable communication:A static IP address makes it much easier to hold phone conferences or other voice and video communications using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

More reliable geolocation services:With a static IP address, services can match the IP address to its physical location. For example, if you use a local weather service with a static IP address, you are more likely to get the weather forecast you need instead of the forecast for the next city over.

Disadvantages of static IP

Static IP addresses are not suitable for all situations.

A static IP is easier for hackers to attack:With a static IP address, hackers can know exactly where your server is on the Internet. This makes it easier for them to attack it. Avast Internet Security can help you with this.

Higher costs:ISPs usually charge more for static IP addresses, especially for consumer ISP plans. Business ISP plans usually include static IPs, at least as an option, but they are more expensive than end-user plans; be sure to ask whether extra fees apply.

Real-world security concerns:Anyone with the right network tools can find out where you and your computer are located. A proxy IP such as Avast SecureLine can help ease that concern by hiding your physical location.

Advantages of dynamic IP

Compared with static IP addresses, dynamic IP addresses are easier to manage and cheaper to deploy.

Simple auto-configuration:With a dynamic IP address, the DHCP server automatically assigns the next available IP address to the device. You do not need to do anything.

Lower costs:Usually, you can save money by using a dynamic IP address.

Unlimited IP addressing:Dynamic addresses allow you to reuse IP addresses. On a network, your device automatically configures a new dynamic IP address as needed. So, for example, if you bring home a new computer, you do not have to manually remove the old one or assign it a number; the network or router handles it. This prevents confusing conflicts when two computers try to use the same IP address.

Potentially better security:With dynamic IP addresses, it is harder for potential attackers to target your networked devices. You can also use a proxy IP for PC to hide your network address and improve your security.

Better physical security:It is harder for snoopers to pinpoint exactly where you are. Proxy IP can also help with this.

Disadvantages of dynamic IP

Dynamic IP addresses are not suitable for all situations. They are not suitable for internet-facing services such as websites or email.

Less likely to work for hosting services:If you plan to host a website, email server, and more, using dynamic IP addresses can be troublesome. DNS does not work well with dynamic IP addresses because the address is always changing. There are dynamic DNS services that solve this problem; however, they add cost and complexity. This can be a serious drawback.

May limit remote access:Depending on your remote access software, your program may not be able to connect if you use a dynamic IP address. This is where a proxy IP program like Avast SecureLine proxy IP really shines.

May cause more downtime:Although this does not happen often, sometimes your ISP cannot assign you a dynamic IP address. This can interrupt your Internet connection. For individual consumers, it is just a temporary annoyance. If it takes your company website offline, that is a much bigger problem.

Less accurate geolocation:A dynamic IP address may cause your geolocation service to fail because you can keep a dynamic address that no longer reflects your real location.

Summary

In general, static IP addresses are best for businesses that host their own websites and Internet services. Static IP addresses also work well when remote workers log in to work through a VPN.
Dynamic IP addresses are usually suitable for most consumers. They are cheaper and usually pose less of a security risk.

What type of IP address do you have?

Now that you know the difference between static IP and dynamic IP, you may realize it was not important which one you used before. A quick way to find your IP address and its type is to use a free online tool, such as Avast's IP checker.

Is it hard to change IP addresses?

If you get internet service through an ISP or cable company, in most cases they will assign you a dynamic IP address.

On your own network, your devices are assigned dynamic IP addresses by default. Switching to a static IP address is usually not a big deal. To do this, you can go to your router's interface, find the device you want to assign a static IP address to, and assign one to it (usually by entering the number manually). The details vary by router. On a managed network, you need to ask the system administrator to do this for you.

How to protect your IP address, whether static or dynamic

Whether your Internet IP address is static or dynamic, your ISP - and tech-savvy bad actors - can roughly determine where you are and what you are trying to do on the Internet. You may want to hide your IP address from snoopers - whichever kind it is. VPNs such as Avast SecureLine VPN can help protect your security and privacy.