OT: IP Address Def - was Please, can we go back to being POSITIVE

[Guest guest]

Each computer on any network (and the Internet is a network) can be

identified by a unique IP Address. The network uses a special

protocol (tcp/ip) to route messages to any computer based on the IP

Address of its destination. Its kind of like the US Mail service

routing your mail to your home address.. the address of your house

is unique.

With that being said, I think its really important to keep IP

Addresses hidden. The reason for this is that there are hackers out

there who have " sniffing " programs that ping IP Addresses randomly,

and when they get an answer they will probe your computers ports,

and try to gain access to the computer while its on the Internet.

To get around this, one can install a firewall device that

will " mask " your IP Address.. For example, when I used Andy's tip

and examined my IP Address using View Source, its not even close to

the actual IP Address registered to my computer. Firewall support

is built-into Windows XP, and I recommend that if you are running XP

to turn it on thru Control Panel.

Nice find Andy!

--Fred

> > What is an IP address? I am going to have issues with teaching

and

> putting the fuel into my body. I am going to have to sneak it I

> guess, because I teach in a self-contained classroom and I am with

my

> darlings all day. I have no problem with breaking the rules for

> this....I don't think.

> > Dan