why did my IP address change?

[mossy]

i have comcast internet, i am still connected to my home wifi network, but i think my IP address changed. the MMO i play uses IP addresses as a security feature, if you try to log in with a new IP you have to send a email authentication. today it says my IP is different and when i use some of those IP address trackers i see that it is actually different, why did my IP address change itself and should i be worried?

[Peter.Steele]

No.

Static IP addresses at the home user level are ... not necessarily completely static forever and ever amen. Just mostly static.

[nerdyvirgin]

My comcast ip changes 3-4 times a year, I have a network meter widget on my desktop that displays my ip so I notice it. I dont know if its comcast doing it, or my router renewing connection every few months, maybe that ip renew/ release option in network settings

[mossy]

ok, i just never noticed it change before. i will have to save the new IP so i dont have to authenticate every time. thanks

[richca]

Most home based internet wont give you a static IP address unless you specifically ask for it.
Give them a call shouldnt be an issue.

[Kageryu]

As others have touched on, most consumer broadband uses dynamic IP's assigned by DHCP (and, previously, PPPoE, but that's fortunately dying off).

DHCP will typically try to give you the same IP address every time you reconnect, but that assumes it hasn't had to give the address to someone else while you were offline. (Think of it as being like "your" seat in an unassigned seating classroom, or a regular table at a restaurant. You can often have your usual spot back, but there's no firm guarantee.)

It's also possible Comcast is shuffling things around on their network in your area, which could result in you connecting to a different upstream router / different IP block.

(Oh, and if you do want a static IP, it'll cost more.)

[ebencikiv]

FYI: http://lifehacker.com/disable-the-pu...cas-1585025053

Concast is using your router for a public mobile hotspot....

[Rickrock1]

They are watching you

[catmman]

Nothing to worry about. IP renumberings happen everytime they add new equipment or move customers from one area to another.

[TacticalPlinker]

As others have touched on, most consumer broadband uses dynamic IP's assigned by DHCP (and, previously, PPPoE, but that's fortunately dying off).

DHCP will typically try to give you the same IP address every time you reconnect, but that assumes it hasn't had to give the address to someone else while you were offline. (Think of it as being like "your" seat in an unassigned seating classroom, or a regular table at a restaurant. You can often have your usual spot back, but there's no firm guarantee.)

It's also possible Comcast is shuffling things around on their network in your area, which could result in you connecting to a different upstream router / different IP block.

(Oh, and if you do want a static IP, it'll cost more.)

^^ This!... If it's a concern for you, call your ISP and request a static IP. Cost will vary based on your provider. Also, some providers won't issue a single static IP, sometimes you have to buy them in blocks of multiple addresses (example 5 or more).

Otherwise, it's not a concern. Unfortunately the end user has no control over their external IP address as it's assigned by your ISP.
.
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[e90bmw]

DHCP, your IP address will change. It just hasn't changed in a while because when you machine goes to renew, it gets the same address.

[meaty-btz]

My comcast IP changes on the average of twice a day. In fact they also have "parking" IPs that I always note when it happens.. the connection goes to crap and I check the IP and it's not part of the usual address range and is one of the parking addresses. Resetting the modem usually fixes that.

[chiefcrash]

FYI: http://lifehacker.com/disable-the-pu...cas-1585025053

Concast is using your router for a public mobile hotspot....

No, Comcast is using THEIR modem (that you rent access to) as a public hotspot. It's also completely segregated from your private network: separate antennas, separate routers, separate data caps and QOS rules...

So short of the extra RF interference of another nearby wireless network, I'm not exactly sure what the problem is...

(and of course, none of this applies to all of us who buy and use our own equipment instead of renting from Comcast)

[the86d]

I think they do this automatic DHCP addy-change to prevent people from running services, as they are not paying for a static IP for a business plan.

(FYI DHCP only lasts so long, then it renews. Generally if you avoid renewing (by having the connected-device off when renew time comes, or) after releasing your lease until somebody else does, or release your DHCP lease, then change your MAC of the requesting device, you can usually get a different IP whenever you want, manually. Useful if your getting hit from somewhere on the Internet with possible exploits.)