Every time you connect to a VPN server, you’ll receive an Internet Protocol (IP) address signaling the virtual location of your VPN connection online.
However, these VPN IPs could either be shared or dedicated.
What is a Virtual Private Network IP?
A Virtual Private Network IP works like your home mailing address in the computer world. You’ll receive an IP address used to surf the net. This also applies to VPN users. But in the case of the VPN, it hides the actual IP assigned by your ISP and gives one that will not be directly traced to you.
With the VPN, you’ll have an online identity that’s different from your actual IP address, and that means that data meant for you will be routed to your home IP.
When you send data from your device, the online platform you are visiting can trace where the data is being sent from. This information helps them to trace your device when they need to. And with a VPN service, they’ll not be seeing your device IP but the one assigned by your VPN provider, regardless of whether it is a shared or dedicated IP.
What Does Shared IP VPN Mean?
Shared IP VPNs, otherwise known as Dynamic IP, are IPs distributed among several users. These users could be more than 100 people using the exact same IP address, which can cause issues when there are users with ulterior motives and could potentially cause the IP to be blacklisted. Another issue that could be generated from the shared IP effect is a poor VPN configuration.
How Does the Shared IP Work?
A Shared IP or Dynamic IP VPN is shared by various users. And all data traffic is directed through that same server.
The Shared IP VPN begins with every VPN server having a massive collection of IPs. A number that could run into hundreds of addresses – the VPN provider decides. The VPN users connect to the server and receive an IP address from the myriad of options on the server. And as thousands and millions of people join, the pool runs dry, and several users are made to share and re-use VPN I’mIPs; hence its name, Shared IP VPN.
So, you can’t determine who you share an IP address with. You could unknowingly share an IP with a cybercriminal who could implicate your own use if it is used in carrying out fraudulent activities.
A shared IP is dynamic and will change according to the server while also moving locations.
What Does Dedicated IP VPN Mean?
A dedicated IP address is a static and unchanging IP address assigned to a sole user. This is very reliable to mitigate security issues because you don’t share your IP with anyone, especially people who could be potential criminals and will implicate your activity on the internet.
In direct words, a dedicated IP VPN is your own private IP which no one else has or ever will be offered access to. And when you buy a dedicated IP from a VPN provider, the IP will only be assigned to one of their servers and will attach it to your account alone, making it impossible for someone else to use.
Can My Dedicated IP VPN Address Change?
To offer you the utmost security and identity on the internet, the dedicated IP VPN address doesn’t change. So, with a single Dedicated IP, you can secure your entire company’s network and provide secure access to employees, both remote and hybrid.
Shared IP vs. Dedicated IP Address for a VPN — What’s the Difference?
It is important to differentiate two IP VPN types to understand what each means to you and your business.
Shared IP VPNs provide anonymity just for VPN users just as dedicated IP VPNs; however, the shared IP address helps users stay unidentified while sharing with different users. But this doesn’t necessarily guarantee complete anonymity.ISPs may still be able to figure out that you’re using a VPN.
However, the level of anonymity a Dedicated IP VPN offer is much higher. Since it is specifically assigned to your device, it offers a high level of anonymity because it will be difficult for hackers and trackers to know that you are using a VPN.
So, people who want added security while using public Wi-Fi hotspots can trust the dedicated IP VPN. One significant difference is the number of VPN users accessing the IPs. Dedicated IP VPNs are, however, relatively more expensive since they are uniquely assigned to you and offer a higher level of security to a user.
Reasons To Consider a Dedicated IP VPN
A VPN provides a tunnel between your employees and your organization’s resources. A dedicated IP VPN has many other benefits to a user and their business. Which include:
1. Secure Remote Access
Most companies now have employees accessing company resources from different locations through VPNs. Companies can boost the security of their network resources, allowing employees to work from comfortable locations using dedicated IP VPNs and enjoying secure remote access while situated far from the office.
2. Allowlisting Your IPs
You are a dedicated IP VPN user in charge of who can access resources. You can allow only authorized employees to access sensitive corporate assets. You can also achieve segmenting network permissions by allowlisting your dedicated IP addresses and giving way to teams to access servers and your preferred gateways.
3. Avoid Multiple Breach Attempts
Using a dedicated IP together with a business VPN will ensure that your company data and employees remain anonymous and safe while browsing corporate networks. With your traffic encrypted, you will hide your data safe from malicious actors outside your network perimeter.