Expert: Keith Davis - 6/30/2010

Question
QUESTION: hi keith,
 i'm not sure if this is the right category to ask, but what is the ip address and is it unique to each pc?  if i connect two pc's to the same modem will they have the same address?  and what are the dangers of having others know your ip address (if i were to bittorrent)?  and if i get a virus on one pc while online, would that have any effect on another pc that i connect to the same modem, even if i were to disconnect the infected one while surfing online with the clean one?  and how can i find the ip address?  thank you!

ANSWER: IP Address- Internet Protocol
Each PC has a different IP address. If you are hooked to a router, the router has it's own IP and each computer hooked to it has it's own IP. On the internet the router address is what is shown if some digs deep enough. Otherwise, it will just be traced as far as the IP of a server belonging to your internet service provider.
If you are hooking two computers together via crossover cable anything can be transferred.
Locate your IP address by going to start>run>cmd>enter. When you reach the command prompt type ipconfig and press enter. This will show your IP address.

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QUESTION: thank you!
but how would i find the ip address on a vista pc?  and what are the dangers of others knowing the ip address?  and what do you mean by connecting two pc's together?  i use one pc for bittorent (and it might be infected with viruses) and another for regular use, i connect them via the same modem/router but never have them on at the same time.  i connect using an ethernet connection but i make sure to unplug one pc when i use the other one.  is this the same as hooking two pc's together or am i safe doing what i'm doing?  the last thing i'd want is to infect my one good pc.  thank you again!

ANSWER: On Vista you can go to the same place by clicking the start button and typing run. You then click on run to be able to enter cmd and then type ipconfig and your IP address will show up.

I don't believe the problems on the one computer will go through your network to your other computers. To be absolutely safe, I would not have them connected to the network at the same time. When using the one for bittorrent I would unhook the other one from the network.

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QUESTION: thank you! but just one last question (sorry!), how about if both pc's were connected to the network at the same time, but one was off, would that have any effect?  and is it dangerous for others to know your ip address?  thank you!

Answer
If it is off the connection is off so you should be fine.
If you have a decent firewall and/or behind a router someone could know your IP and not do anything. Make sure "remote connections" to your computer are disabled. Do this through control panel> system> remote settings> uncheck box that says "allow remote assistance to this computer".