Articles
Explore in-depth guides on IP addressing, cybersecurity, networking fundamentals, privacy, and troubleshooting. Use this index to quickly jump into the topics you care about.
Cybersecurity
- 13 Mobile Device Security Tips to Protect Your Smartphone
Learn practical ways to secure your smartphone against theft, malware, and data leaks with a checklist of mobile security best practices.
- 7 Types of Password Attacks and How to Prevent Them
Understand the most common password attack techniques—like brute force, credential stuffing, and phishing—and learn how to defend against each one.
- Computer Worms and How to Prevent Them
Learn what computer worms are, how they spread through networks, and the steps you can take to contain and prevent worm infections.
- Data Protection: How to Protect Your Own Data
Explore practical strategies for protecting your personal and professional data, from backups and encryption to permissions and access control.
- How to Prevent Ransomware Attacks | What Is Ransomware?
Learn what ransomware is, how it locks your data, and the layered defenses that make attacks less likely and less damaging.
- How to Stop Cyber Harassment
Recognize the signs of cyber harassment, document incidents safely, and learn how to block, report, and escalate abuse online.
- Social Engineering Attacks: How to Defend Your Data
Learn how attackers use psychological tricks rather than technical exploits to steal data, and how to recognize and resist social engineering.
- SORBS Spam Blacklist: What Is It?
Understand what the SORBS DNS-based blacklist is, how IPs end up listed, and what to do if your address appears there.
- Symmetric vs. Asymmetric Encryption: What’s the Difference?
Understand the key differences between symmetric and asymmetric encryption, when each is used, and how they work together to secure modern communications.
- The Importance of a One Time Password for Online Security
Discover how one-time passwords (OTPs) strengthen account security and where they fit in your overall authentication strategy.
- Trojan Horse Virus – Trojan Horse Malware Explained
Learn how Trojan horse malware disguises itself as legitimate software, what it can do once installed, and how to avoid infection.
- Ways You Might Be Weakening Cyber Security
Identify everyday habits and configuration mistakes that quietly undermine your cybersecurity, and learn how to correct them.
- What Are Email Protocols? An Email Protocol Guide
Get an overview of the most important email protocols—SMTP, IMAP, and POP3—and how they work together to deliver your messages.
- What Is Antimalware and How Does It Work?
Learn what antimalware software does, how it detects threats, and where it fits in a layered security strategy.
- What Is Antivirus Software? How It Can Protect Your Device
Understand what antivirus software does, what it can and cannot protect against, and how to configure it effectively.
- What Is BitLocker? Windows Security Feature Overview
Learn how BitLocker full-disk encryption protects data on Windows devices and what you need to configure it safely.
- What Is Blackhole Routing? | How to Stop DDoS Attacks
Explore how blackhole routing works, when it is used to mitigate distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and its trade-offs.
- What Is Bloatware & How Do I Get Rid of It?
Understand what bloatware is, why manufacturers include it, and how to safely remove unwanted software from your devices.
- What Is Buffer Overflow? Attacks and Risks Explained
Learn what buffer overflows are, how attackers exploit them to run arbitrary code, and how modern systems defend against these flaws.
- What Is Cryptography? Understanding Methods and Applications
Get a high-level overview of cryptography, including common algorithms, use cases, and the role cryptography plays in everyday security.
- What Is Email Encryption? How to Encrypt Email
Learn how email encryption works, what problems it solves, and the main options for encrypting messages in transit and at rest.
IP Addresses
- 172 IP Addresses: What You Need to Know
Learn how 172 IP address ranges are used on private networks, how they differ from other RFC 1918 ranges, and where you are likely to see them.
- 192.168.1.11: Router Admin Login | Default Password
Find out what 192.168.1.11 is used for, how to reach the router login page at this address, and what to do if it does not work on your network.
- 192.168.11.1: Router Admin Login | Default Credentials & Fixes
Learn how to sign in to a router at 192.168.11.1, which devices commonly use this address, and how to fix common login issues.
- 192.168.188.1: Router Admin Login | Default Passwords
See how 192.168.188.1 is used on home routers, how to log in to the admin panel, and what to try if the address does not respond.
- Can Someone Get My IP Address?
Find out how easy it is for websites, apps, and other users to see your IP address and what that information can reveal about you.
- Different IP Address on WhatIsMyIP.com Than IPCONFIG?
Understand why websites show a different IP address than local tools like ipconfig, and what that difference means for your network.
- External IP Address Assigning to Computer
Learn what it means to assign an external IP address directly to a computer, when it is used, and the security implications of doing so.
- How to Change My IP Address: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow practical steps to change your local IP address, renew the address from your router, or present a different public IP to websites.
- IP Commands for DOS/Windows
Get a quick guide to essential IP-related commands on DOS and Windows, including ipconfig, ping, tracert, and netstat.
- MAC Address vs IP Address: What’s the Difference?
Learn the differences between MAC and IP addresses, how each operates at different network layers, and why you need both.
- Private vs Public IP Address: What’s the Difference?
Understand the difference between private and public IP addresses, how each is used, and why NAT is necessary in modern networks.
- Seven Ways to Hide My IP Address
Review seven common methods for hiding or masking your IP address, plus the pros and cons of each approach.
- Static vs Dynamic IP Address: Which One Is Right for You?
Compare static and dynamic IP addressing, how each works, and which scenarios benefit from one or the other.
- Understand the “Your IP Has Been Temporarily Blocked” Error
Learn why websites or services temporarily block IP addresses, what this error means, and how to regain access.
- Understanding IP Address Management (IPAM)
Discover what IP address management (IPAM) is, why organizations need it, and how IPAM tools help maintain clean, reliable networks.
- Understanding Your Router IP Address: A Comprehensive Guide
Learn what your router’s IP address is, how to find it on different devices, and how it differs from your public IP.
- What Is a Broadcast IP Address?
Learn what a broadcast IP address is, how it is calculated, and how broadcast traffic behaves on IPv4 networks.
- What Is a Private IP Address?
Understand what qualifies as a private IP address, which ranges are reserved, and how private addresses are used in home and business networks.
- What Is a Virtual IP? How to Get One
Learn what virtual IP (VIP) addresses are, how they are used in load balancing and high availability, and how to configure them.
- What Is an IP Address?
Get a foundational explanation of what an IP address is, how it identifies devices, and why it is essential for internet communication.
- What Is ARP? Address Resolution Protocol Explained
Learn what the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) does on local networks and how it maps IP addresses to MAC addresses.
- What Is DHCP – Overview of IP Address Assignment
Understand how the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) automatically assigns IP settings to devices on a network.
- What Is Dynamic NAT? Configuring Dynamic NAT
Learn how dynamic network address translation (NAT) works, how it differs from static NAT, and when to use it.
- What Is IP Fragmentation? | IP Fragmentation Attacks
Explore how IP fragmentation works, why it exists, and how attackers can abuse it in fragmentation-based attacks.
- What Is IP Spoofing? How to Prevent Spoofing Attacks
Learn what IP spoofing is, how attackers forge source addresses, and what measures can reduce spoofing risks.
- What Is IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4)?
Learn what IPv4 is, how IPv4 addressing works, and why exhaustion of IPv4 space led to the development of IPv6.
- What Is IPv6? Benefits & How It Works
Understand what IPv6 is, how IPv6 addressing differs from IPv4, and the benefits of deploying IPv6 in modern networks.
- What is NAT64? Understand and Configure NAT64
Learn what NAT64 is, how it enables IPv6-only clients to reach IPv4 services, and what is required to deploy it effectively.
- Why Do I Have the 169.254 IP Address?
Find out why devices sometimes get an address in the 169.254.x.x range and what it means for your network connectivity.
- Your IP Has Been Banned: How to Fix IP Ban Errors
Learn why some sites or services permanently ban IP addresses, how this differs from temporary blocks, and what you can do about it.
Investigate
- Can You Find a Facebook User by IP Address?
Understand what is and is not possible when trying to identify Facebook users by IP address, plus the privacy and legal issues involved.
- Find IP Address in Windows 7, 10, or 11
Learn how to quickly find your IPv4 and IPv6 addresses on Windows 7, Windows 10, and Windows 11 using both GUI and command-line tools.
- Finding Your Default Gateway Address | What Is My Default Gateway?
Learn what a default gateway is, why it matters, and how to find the default gateway IP address on common systems.
- How to Find an IP Address on an iPad
Locate your iPad’s IP address and related network details using the iPadOS settings app.
- How to Find IP Address on Mac
Discover multiple ways to find your Mac’s IP address, including System Settings, Terminal commands, and router tools.
- How to Find Roku IP Address
Learn how to locate the IP address of your Roku device using the on-screen menus, your router, or mobile apps.
- How to Find Someone Online For Free: Effective, Ethical Methods
Explore ethical ways to find people online using publicly available information, while respecting privacy and avoiding shady tactics.
- How to Find the IP Address of a Printer
Learn several ways to find a network printer’s IP address so you can add it to computers, troubleshoot issues, or manage its web interface.
- How to Find the IP Address of a Website
Use command-line tools and online services to look up the IP address behind a domain name, and understand what those results mean.
- How to Find Your iPhone IP Address
See where to find your iPhone’s local IP address on Wi‑Fi networks and how that differs from your public IP.
- How to Report IP Abuse
Learn how to properly report abuse originating from an IP address, including spam, hacking attempts, and network attacks.
- How to Spot a Phishing Email | Spot Fake Emails
Recognize the warning signs of phishing emails and learn practical steps to avoid falling for fake messages.
- How to Stop Spam: What Is Email, Text, & Social Media Spam?
Understand different types of spam and learn strategies for reducing unwanted email, text messages, and social media spam.
- How to Trace an Email Address for Free: Quick Guide & Tips
See what you can realistically learn for free about where an email came from, using headers, WHOIS, and online tools.
- IP Address Location Incorrect
Understand why IP geolocation can be inaccurate and what to do if services think you are in the wrong place.
- Ring Doorbell Privacy Issues: How Safe Are Ring Doorbells?
Examine the privacy and security considerations of using Ring and similar smart doorbells, and how to configure them safely.
- What Are Good Upload and Download Speeds?
Get practical benchmarks for “good” internet speeds for streaming, gaming, video calls, and remote work.
- What Is IP Geolocation? How It Works, Accuracy & Privacy
Learn how IP geolocation determines approximate locations, how accurate it is, and what it means for privacy.
- Why Is My IP Blacklisted?
Understand common reasons IP addresses end up on blacklists and what you can do to investigate and resolve listings.
Learn
- A Guide to Screen Time
Understand what screen time really means, how it affects productivity and health, and practical ways to set limits on your devices.
- Android Backup: How to Back Up Your Android Phone
Learn how to protect photos, messages, and app data on Android by using Google services and local backups.
- CC vs BCC: What’s the Difference?
Learn the difference between CC and BCC fields in email, when to use each, and how to avoid privacy mistakes.
- Understanding Ipconfig and Ipconfig Commands
Explore how the ipconfig command works on Windows, what each switch does, and when to use it for troubleshooting.
- Using Time Machine to Back Up Your Mac
Learn how Apple’s Time Machine works, how to set it up, and how to restore files or a full system when something goes wrong.
Network
- How to Use the Nslookup Command
Learn how to use nslookup on Windows, macOS, and Linux to query DNS records, troubleshoot name resolution, and verify configuration.
- What Is DNS? Understanding the Domain Name System
Understand how the Domain Name System turns human-friendly names into IP addresses and how it impacts everyday browsing.
- What Is Ping? How to Test Your Ping
Learn what ping measures, how latency affects your connection, and how to use ping tests effectively.
- What Is SSH? Understanding Secure Shell Protocol
Learn how SSH secures remote logins, file transfers, and tunneling, and how to use it from the command line.
- What Is TCP/IP? How Does TCP/IP Work?
Get a high-level overview of the TCP/IP model, how packets move through the stack, and how it relates to the OSI model.
- What Is the Traceroute Command?
Understand how traceroute maps the path to a destination, how to read its output, and platform-specific variations.
News
- Are VPN Ads Overselling Your Safety?
A critical look at common VPN marketing claims and what these services can and cannot really protect you from.
- Study Shows the Basic Security Steps Students Forget
A summary of research into student security habits and which simple steps are most often overlooked in day‑to‑day campus life.
- Think All Clouds Are Equally Risky? These Numbers Say Otherwise
An overview of how organizations perceive cloud security risk versus what incident data actually shows about misconfigurations and breaches.
- Would You Fall For This QR Code Scam? Research Reveals Likely Victims
Explore how scammers misuse QR codes, why they work so well in social engineering, and which behaviors make people more vulnerable.
Privacy
- 7 Reasons Why You Should Be Using a VPN
See how a virtual private network can protect your privacy, secure public Wi‑Fi, and unlock region‑restricted content when used correctly.
- Best (and Worst) Browsers for Privacy
Compare mainstream browsers from a privacy perspective and learn which settings matter more than brand names.
- How to Clear Browser Cookies
Learn what cookies are, when clearing them is useful, and how to remove them in popular browsers on Windows and macOS.
- What Is a VPN? Virtual Private Networks Simplified
Learn how VPNs work under the hood, common use cases, and how to connect on Windows and macOS.
- What Is Online Privacy? How to Protect Your Online Privacy
Understand what “online privacy” really means today and learn practical steps to limit data collection across devices and services.
Resources
- About Us
Learn what the SpeedCheck project is, who it is for, and how we approach accuracy, transparency, and privacy.
- Advertising on SpeedCheck
An overview of how advertising works on SpeedCheck and the principles we follow to keep ads from interfering with testing.
- History of SpeedCheck Over The Years
A brief history of how SpeedCheck evolved from a basic test page into a broader collection of networking tools and guides.
Router Logins
- 10.0.0.1: Router Admin Login | Troubleshooting Guide
Learn what 10.0.0.1 is used for, how to reach the router login page at this address, and what to do when it does not respond.
- 192.168.0.1: Router IP Address & Login Guide
Understand what 192.168.0.1 is, how to access router settings at that address, and how to fix common connection problems.
- 192.168.1.1: Router IP Address & Login Guide
Find out how to sign in to routers that use 192.168.1.1, change Wi‑Fi settings, and secure the admin interface.
- Common Router Logins for Router Configuration
See a quick overview of common default router IP addresses and login credentials, plus why you must change them.
- How to Reset Router Password | Reset Xfinity, Netgear, Linksys
Learn how to regain access to a router when you forget the admin password, plus how to secure it again afterward.
Safety
- 10 Ways to Protect Personal Identifiable Information Online
Learn practical steps to protect sensitive personal data such as addresses, ID numbers, and financial details when you use the internet.
- Improve Your Internet Safety: Ten Ways to Stay Safe Online
Follow a concise checklist of habits and tools that dramatically improve your overall safety on the internet.
- Signs My Device May Have Been Hacked
Recognize common warning signs of malware or account compromise and learn how to investigate them safely.
- What Is a Password Manager? Simplify Password Management
Learn how password managers work, why they are safer than reusing passwords, and how to use them effectively.
- What Is Doxxing and How Do I Prevent It?
Understand what doxxing is, why it is dangerous, and how to reduce the chances of your personal details being exposed.
Tools
- Data Breach Check Tool – Have I Been Pwned?
Learn how breach-check tools work, what they reveal about compromised accounts, and how to respond when your email appears in a breach.
- DNS Lookup Tool | Check DNS Records for Any Domain
Learn how to use a DNS lookup tool to inspect A, AAAA, MX, TXT, and other records, plus equivalent command-line queries.
- Internet Speed Test
See how browser-based speed tests measure download, upload, latency, and jitter, and how to run them for consistent results.
- IP Address Lookup – Instantly Find IP Address Location
Understand what an IP address lookup can and cannot tell you about a visitor’s location, and how the SpeedCheck IP lookup tool works.
Translations
- Cuál es mi IP?
Una explicación en español de qué es una dirección IP, por qué es importante y cómo ver tu IP pública y privada.
- Qual è il Mio IP – il Mio Indirizzo IP
Una guida in italiano che spiega come funzionano gli indirizzi IP e come trovare il tuo.
- Quel Est Mon IP
Une présentation en français de ce qu’est une adresse IP et des différences entre IP publique et privée.
- Wie Ist Meine IP?
Eine deutschsprachige Erklärung dazu, was eine IP‑Adresse ist und wie du deine eigene Adresse anzeigen kannst.
WiFi
- How to Extend WiFi Range: Testing 5 WiFi Extension Methods
Learn practical ways to extend WiFi coverage using better placement, repeaters, mesh systems, and wired backhaul.
- How to Reset a Router: A Step-By-Step Guide
See when resetting a router makes sense, how to do it safely, and how to rebuild your WiFi network afterward.
- How to Use Free WiFi Safely
Learn how to reduce the risks of public WiFi networks using encryption, VPNs, and good browsing habits.
- SSID Meaning: What Is an SSID and How Can You Find Yours?
Understand what an SSID is, how networks broadcast it, and how to find or change it on your devices.
- What Is WiFi? Understanding Your Wireless Connection
Get a plain‑language explanation of how WiFi works, what affects speed and reliability, and how to choose the right standards.