How 127.0.0.1 Works
All messages generated byTCP/IPapplication software contain IP addresses for their intended recipients.
TCP/IP recognizes 127.0.0.1 as a special IP address.
The protocol checks each message before sending it to the physical web link.
This doublecheck prevents a connection attacker from disguising their traffic as coming from a loopback address.
system software typically uses this loopback feature for local testing purposes.
Messages sent to loopback IP addresses like 127.0.0.1 do not reach outside to thelocal area online grid.
Loopback messages contain a destinationport numberin addition to the address.
Applications can use these port numbers to subdivide test messages into multiple categories.
Computer operating systems maintain an entry in theirHOSTS filesassociating a name with the loopback address.
This practice helps applications create loopback messages using a name rather than a hard-coded number.
Internet Protocol v6 implements the same concept of a loopback address as IPv4.
People studying computer networking sometimes confuse 127.0.0.1 with the0.0.0.0.
While both have special meanings in IPv4, 0.0.0.0 does not provide any loopback functionality.
Open Notepad as an Administrator with User Account Control, then selectFile>Open> and open theHostsfile.
Add a line at the bottom of the file and enter127.0.0.1[URL] >Save, then restart.
