Checking Your External IP Address Using Mac Terminal Command

In today's digital age, understanding how to check our external IP address has become crucial for various reasons. With the rise of online tracking and targeted advertising, it's essential to know your external IP address and its implications on your privacy. Fortunately, there are simple ways to do so, including using a website or the Mac terminal command.

Using What is my IP Address Website

The easiest way to check your external IP address is by visiting websites like What is my IP address?. This website not only displays your IP address but also provides additional information such as your Internet Service Provider and the location associated with the detected IP address. You can verify that it has identified you correctly by checking this information.

Using Mac Terminal Command

Alternatively, you can check your external IP address from the command line using your Mac terminal. To do so, follow these simple steps:

1. Click on the Apple logo in your Mac's menu bar and select 'Applications > Utilities > Terminal.'

2. Navigate to the left-hand menu and select the interface you're currently using to connect to the Internet (it should have a green dot next to it).

3. Press the Enter key on your keyboard.

4. Copy/paste the following command into the Terminal window: `netstat -nr | grep 'default'`

5. After a few moments, the Terminal will display your external IP address.

Understanding Your External IP Address

Your external IP address is publicly visible and can be used by online advertisers to track your browsing activity and deliver targeted ads to your device. Although online advertisers won't be able to identify the person behind an IP address, they can still track the IP address itself and use it for advertising purposes.

It's worth noting that only your Internet Service Provider knows the real name and exact address associated with an IP address. However, it is possible to get a rough estimate of your location based on your IP address alone.

Tips for Online Privacy

If you're concerned about being tracked via your IP address or limiting the amount of information third-party advertisers can gather about you, consider setting up a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and masks your IP address, making it more difficult for online advertisers to track your activity.

In conclusion, checking your external IP address is a simple process that can be done using either a website or the Mac terminal command. Understanding how your external IP address affects your online privacy is essential in today's digital age. By taking steps to protect your online identity and limiting the amount of information shared with online advertisers, you can maintain a higher level of online security and privacy.

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