What is the deal with IP addresses and where can I find what my own IP address is?

I am just wondering because people tell me that if you know someone's IP address, you can pretty much hack into there computer. I'm worried if someone could find out mine or something like that though, and I'm wondering where I can find my own IP address on my computer.

Public Comments

1. you need to be more specific. what type of Internet connection do you have?
2. click start, then programs, then accessories then command prompt, Whenthe black screen appears type in; IPCONFIG and it will show your IP adress.
3. find your public ip address at http://www.whatismyip.com Most computers are currently using NAT (Network Address Translation) - Which means your router/modem has a public IP address where but your actual computer uses an internal address where hackers can't easily reach.
4. Go to my network connections View connections Highlight your connection (it will say connected under it) View status of this connection Then click on the tabs and it should be listed (under something like general/support/properties) On the other hand, that whatismyip.com is quicker. Cool, I didn't know about that :-)
5. I assume you are using WindowsXP. 1) Goto "Start", select "run". In the "open" box type CMD. 2) You will see a DOS window pop up (text base, black color). In there type IPCONFIG. 3) There will be info show on the DOS window. 4) Look at the line IP Address ------ xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx. That will be your computer's IP address. http://www.whatismyip.com is cool !! go there to find your public IP address - Credit to "knowledge" !!
6. You have been given the information on how to find your ip...btw in case your wondering the answer with whatsmyip website is the most accurate for finding your global ip. To answer the rest of your questions...if someone knows your ip can they hack your system. Truthfully yes, but you can protect yourself with firewalls and antivirus programs. Having a router will help as well as it gives you a form of a hardware firewall. As for what is the deal with IP addresses. I'll explain the IP address very simply. Think of the internet as the Information Superhighway. You need a drivers license to drive on a highway. The most important part of your Drivers license is the License Number...it is what identifies you from other drivers. Your Ip is your identification number for driving on the internet. Without a valid IP number you are not allowed to drive the net.