What Is My IPv6 Address? IPv4 vs IPv6 Privacy Guide (2026)

IPv6 vs IPv4: What You Need to Know

IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses versus IPv4's 32-bit. France leads Europe at ~70% IPv6 adoption in 2026. Your IPv6 looks like: 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334

Key Differences

Addresses: IPv4 = 4.3 billion. IPv6 = 3.4×10³⁸
Privacy: IPv6 often embeds your MAC address, making tracking easier than IPv4 NAT
NAT: IPv4 shares one IP among devices. IPv6 gives every device its own global address
Security: IPsec is mandatory in IPv6, optional in IPv4

IPv6 Privacy Risks

IPv6 assigns unique global addresses to every device. Each phone, laptop, and IoT device has its own trackable identifier.

Temporary Addresses (RFC 4941): Enable randomized IPv6 that rotates periodically
VPN with IPv6 Leak Protection: Many VPNs only tunnel IPv4. Our guide covers this →
Disable IPv6: Eliminates attack surface if not needed

How to Find Your IPv6 Address

Windows: Command Prompt → ipconfig
Mac: System Settings → Network → Details → TCP/IP
iPhone: Settings → Wi-Fi → ⓘ icon
Android: Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Advanced
Linux: Terminal → ip -6 addr show

Should You Disable IPv6?

Only if you have connectivity issues. Disabling breaks Microsoft 365, Xbox Live, and some banking apps. Better: use a VPN with full IPv6 support.

Comment vérifier mon IPv6 en France ?