Present-day Internet access systems work in such a way that you rarely get assigned the same IP address. It is more feasible and efficient for Internet Service Providers to use dynamic IP addresses rather than assigning dedicated/static IP addresses (those that do not change.) From the end-user perspective, it is more preferable to have a dedicated IP address that is not shared by other users.
Virtual private networks usually use dynamic IPs, but some services like, for example, Private VpnOneClick, also offer a dedicated IP address. Virtual private networks encrypt all traffic and route it via any of the numerous servers in a country of your choice.
VPNs mask your real IP address replacing it with a different one located in the distant land. In case a VPN provides a static but share an IP address, you receive the same IP every time you connect to a server in a specific location, but this IP address is going to be shared with other people. In the case of a dedicated IP address, you do not share it with other users.
Not all virtual private networks offer such an option as a dedicated IP. Those services that do offer may not be worth the money.
How to select the best VPN for a dedicated IP address
The best VPN not only has to offer the dedicated IP address option, but it also should work very well. Please consider the following important factors:
A big choice of IP address locations
Fast Internet speed
Strong encryption algorithms
Great customer service
Minimum 99% uptime so that the necessary server does not appear offline when it needed.
Explaining dedicated and dynamic IP addresses
For a lot of home users, an ISP allocates an IP address from its pool. This method allows slowing the process of exhaustion of IPv4 addresses. ISPs may use dynamic IP addresses because the number of ISP clients connected at any given time is lower than the total number of clients. With the help of a dynamic IP address system, ISPs may serve more customers with fewer IP addresses.
On the other hand, business customers who have their web servers are usually not subjected to dynamic IP allocation system. Commercial/business users have their IP addresses registered in DNS and linked to the company's website URL. In the case of a dynamic system, business owners would need to update all DNS servers all around the world when their ISP provides a new IP address. It is not possible, and so business customers receive a dedicated IP address.
Dynamic IP addresses and VPNs
A lot of VPN services also use a dynamic IP system. Typically, a VPN owns only a small quantity of IP addresses for each particular server. VPNs have to randomly allocate groups of users to each IP address they own. Several VPNs provide static IPs by default, and some offer it as an option.
A VPN service with a dedicated IP address has many advantages over the dynamic IP system. Dedicated VPN IP addresses tend to be used by fewer people than dynamic addresses. Sometimes dedicated IP addresses get reserved only for one customer.
If you use a dynamic system, your Internet freedom might be impaired because of some actions of other users sharing this IP address. With fewer customers sharing the IP address, the likelihood it gets blacklisted is reduced. In addition, when signing up for a dedicated IP, it is guaranteed your connections and browsing logs do not get stored on general VPN or other logs.
It is important to note that a lot of VPN services do not provide dedicated IP addresses. It is because they are afraid of identity leaks and want to protect their clients. Even without keeping IP address logs, the one-to-one direct mapping between a customer and a specific dedicated IP address may be very quickly uncovered via client account details in case of a court order for the VPN and its records. With a shared address system, VPN services have a chance to substantially complicate the traceability of end user connections.
Advantages of dedicated VPN IP addresses
When you get a dedicated IP address, it is assigned only to you and is not shared with other customers. There are plenty of situations when a dedicated VPN IP address may be useful, for instance, for gaming or running a business. Not all users are looking for complete anonymity. For example, those who wish their servers to be found do not need privacy.
If you want to overcome the negative effects of the dynamic IP distribution used by ISPs, the dedicated VPN IP address is the easiest, cheapest, and quickest option. Using a dedicated VPN IP address, small businesses can front their basic/small webserver with a much bigger server that can absorb DDoS attacks and prevent XSS and other dangerous malware infections. In addition, this will also allow using a cheaper residential ISP service plan.
Individuals concerned about privacy may use the dedicated VPN for their home game server. Besides, a dedicated IP address enables you to connect to home devices working as file servers. Having a dedicated VPN IP address, users may advertise their server's address, not worrying about this IP address getting periodically changed.
