fixed IP for DHCP service at cox.net?

It's typical for a DHCP server to keep handing you the same IP until the ISP needs to perform maintenance or you change your MAC address, as two examples. There shouldn't be any security or privacy concerns with this. If you feel differently, please explain.

Even though DHCP _may_ give you the same IP for long periods of time, you're not guaranteed to keep that IP, as mentioned above. When you've signed up for a static IP, you can count on it not to change.

I am more concerned about information passed around on the internet. Check this site:

Basically one can be identified by the ip address and the host address if ip address seldom changes. It's a privacy concern as it's much easier to track a user's online activity. Also a security concern because it's much easier for a dedicated hacker to find a particular machine. An anonymous proxy server only partially solves the problem.

Unless someone's after YOU they will just look for any old machine. They probe and if you open you become a bot. Then it no longer matters if your IP changes hourly, they still own you.

Install a router, change the password, put your computer on via NAT, turn off the DMZ, and worry about something real.

DHCP assigns IP addresses based on your the MAC of your IP card, so it will likely stay the same for months. I have seen my computer have the same IP address for up to a year sometimes.

In today's news there's a very good solution: