Come on people! Answer me already!!!!?

Question

Can someone explain a little about an IP address to me?

What is it?

Is it a bad idea to tell my IP address to someone else?

Can someone else find my IP address without me telling them and even if I have firewall?

If they can, what information can they find out about me from my IP address?

I never use my real information for anything online such as AOL, MSN, YAHOO etc. Will info gathered from my IP address (if any can be) be only the info I used when registering for various things?

I know I must sound like a nitwit, but I'm relatively naive when it comes to computers and my friend has been telling me things that makes me think I need to give the web up altogether. I hope someone will answer these specific questions for me here, because I've had no luck so far.

Answer 1

I dont really know much but i know people can find out what it is and find out where you live and find out who it is so you have to be careful. like you do illegal stuff the police can track you down with it. and i know its a bunch of numbers.

Answer 2

Your IP address is your computers home address, it basically your computer telling other computer where to send the information your sending back and forth.

Anyone can find your IP very easy every time you access a website or talk on MSN you IP address is being transmitted.

With just the IP address they can find out in what general area you live in and what internet provider you are with. If they work for a internet provider they could possibly find your name and address (worse case scenario).

With you IP Address and a few hacking tools and a little knowledge they can possibly hack into you computer and steal information or make your computer do stuff it wouldnt normally do.

The internet is not safe but if you use it right its just as safe as walking down the street with money in your wallet, you might get robbed but chances are you wont.