ShowMyIP

Sometimes, you just need to find know your IP address. Now, of course, there’s also a lot to talk about what an IP actually is. It stands for “internet protocol” and it’s the number that basically enables your computer to access the internet, as part of the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) communication process.

Because our internet service providers offer us access to the internet through routers, everyone usually gets two IPs: one public and one local. While you can instantly find out the public address by searching it on Google, the local one takes just a little bit of work.

Well, technically it’s not that much work; you only have to type “cmd” in the Windows start menu, click on the Command Prompt application and then type “ipconfig” in the black window that will pop up. Easy, right? But who has time for that?

Well, with ShowMyIP it’s a much easier process. After you install this disarmingly minimalistic program, you can see both of your IPs any time you wish. They are permanently displayed in its interface, so you don’t have to waste precious seconds looking for that weird little string of numbers and dots in the blackness of Command Prompt’s window.

If you’re using a virtual private network in order to keep your web browsing secure, then ShowMyIP will also show you the IP addresses of your VPN, along with your “real” addresses. You can easily copy any address you want from the program’s interface.

If you minimize it, ShowMyIP will go to the system tray and stay out of your way, and since it’s so lightweight it won’t affect your system’s performance. Remember only that your IP address is private information and that you shouldn’t go around showing it to everyone. ShowMyIP is a useful program, but keep it minimized or closed.