As we increasingly rely on technology and the virtual world, data security has become a growing concern. One of the things that can expose your identity to cybercriminals is your IP (Internet Protocol) address. You might then think that sharing IP addresses is an odd and even dangerous approach. However, there are instances when you might want to do that.
Today, we will explain what IP addresses are, why people share the same address, and how to protect your data while doing it.
What is an IP address?
Simply put, an IP (Internet Protocol) address is your location on the internet. Consider the internet a city where everyone has their street and home number. IP addresses consist of a string of numbers (usually four numbers). The Internet Assigned Number Authority assigns addresses to devices and users, and each internet connection gets its unique address.
This address allows you to make requests on the internet and create your virtual identity. Without a proper IP address, you wouldn’t be able to access any content on the internet.
Another function of IP addresses is that they differentiate devices connected to the internet. Each user is an individual in an imaginary city doing everyday tasks. Sometimes, multiple devices have the same address, and we will explain how this is possible below.
Why do people share the same IP address?
IP addresses are assigned according to the internet connection. For example, a household may use one internet router, and all family members connect to the same Wi-Fi network. In terms of our imaginary city, it is equivalent to multiple people living under the same roof, sharing the same home address.
It is also the case in businesses – if people work from the same office, they will most likely share an IP address. In addition to that, it even makes sense for some companies to use shared IPs with unknown people for some business purposes.
Shared Datacenter proxies as a solution for shared IP addresses
Proxy servers serve as a middleman between you and the internet by changing your IP address during your communication with target websites. The proxy server industry has developed immensely in the last few years – we can now enjoy more features than just cybersecurity, such as web scraping, ad verification, review monitoring, accessing geo-restricted content, etc.
While proxy servers can be a powerful tool for online privacy and security, they can also come with a high cost. To address this issue, shared proxies have been introduced as an affordable alternative. These proxies use a data center IP address instead of a physical address, allowing you to have a new identity on the internet.
It’s worth noting that when using shared data center proxies, there is a risk of being affected by the actions of other users sharing the same IP addresses. If someone using the same IP address engages in malicious activities, it could lead to the IP addresses being blocked, which would also impact your ability to use them for your own purposes. It’s important to keep this in mind when deciding whether shared datacenter proxies are the right solution for your needs.
That is why shared data center proxies are a good solution for rudimentary business operations. More specifically, these are some scenarios you might want to use data center proxies for:
- Hiding your IP address
If you simply want to hide your IP while browsing or want to access lesser-known sites privately, a shared data center proxy might be all you need.
- Unblocking content from different locations
Shared data center proxies can be a useful solution for bypassing geographical restrictions and accessing content from different countries. For example, if you want to see how your website appears to a visitor from Germany, or if you want to circumvent geo-blocking and access restricted content, you can use a shared proxy to make it appear as if you are accessing the internet from a different location.
- Small-scale web scraping projects
If you’re just starting out with web scraping and need to collect public data on a small scale, shared datacenter proxies might be a good starting point for you.
Final thoughts
We have explained how you can use one IP address for multiple devices, which can be extremely useful in the world of online business. You might even consider using a shared datacenter proxy for yourself. If so, make sure you choose a reputable service provider that will provide you with excellent proxies and will not compromise your security as well as performance.
