What is IPv6?

Internet Protocol version 6 is a protocol used for sending and receiving data over the internet. It is a successor to the older IPv4 protocol, which was released in 1981. IPv6 offers a number of advantages over IPv4, including a larger address range and better security capabilities.

Why IPv6?

IPv6 was designed to increase the number of available IP addresses on the internet. With IPv4, the number of IP addresses could be limited by using different address clusters. With IPv6, there is a much larger address range, allowing more people to access the internet.

One of the reasons we need more IP addresses is the rise of new technological devices. This is also known as the Internet of Things (IoT), where more and more devices and objects are connected to the internet. Think of your smart thermostat, your fridge being connected to the internet, or your Google Home/Amazon Alexa. This process is also known as Digital Transformation. This happens both at companies and for people privately.

With IPv4, the number of available IP addresses is limited. This means it becomes difficult to connect new devices and objects to the internet. With IPv6, there is no longer a shortage of IP addresses, making it possible to connect a much larger number of devices and objects to the internet.

The Necessity of IPv6

In the early years of the internet, the limit of 4.3 billion IPv4 addresses seemed almost unlimited. No one could have predicted that the digital expansion (Internet of Things) described earlier would take off the way it did.

This is why we're now looking at IPv6, the successor to IPv4. IPv6, or Internet Protocol version 6, drastically expands the internet's capabilities with its 128-bit address space. This provides a quasi-unlimited number of unique addresses, making it inconceivable that we would ever exhaust them - or at least, that's what we hope.

Technological Improvements in IPv6 compared to IPv4

IPv6 not only introduces a larger address space but also improves several technical aspects compared to its predecessor. These include:

• Simplification of Packet Headers: Unlike IPv4, IPv6 has a streamlined packet header that enables faster data processing.

• Advanced Multicast Support: IPv6 optimizes sending data to various destinations via multicast, a significant improvement over IPv4's broadcast method.

• Self-configuration: IPv6 allows devices to generate their own IP address without the intervention of a server, unlike IPv4's dependency on DHCP.

• Increased Security: Designed with a strong focus on security, IPv6 offers built-in security features such as IPsec from the ground up, which were optional in IPv4 but are mandatory in IPv6.

The Importance of Moving to IPv6

The transition to IPv6 is essential to provide the growing number of internet-connected devices with unique addresses. In addition, it introduces improvements that increase the efficiency and security of the internet. Although IPv6 is being rolled out gradually and we will still use both systems side by side for a while, everything points to the future of online communication lying with IPv6. This means you can count on a continuous connection, more security, and no more worries about a shortage of IP addresses.

Cybercriminals hide their IP address

Whether it's IPv4 or IPv6, (cyber)criminals often try to hide their IP address. They do this to remain anonymous and prevent detection by law enforcement agencies. By hiding their real IP address, they make it harder to be tracked, meaning their digital footprints cannot be properly followed. This allows cybercriminals to engage in various types of cybercrime with an increased sense of security, such as hacking, spreading malware, phishing, and trading on the dark web. The use of technologies such as VPNs, proxies, and the Tor network helps these criminals hide their identity and location, making it more challenging for authorities to identify and prosecute them for their crimes.