Everything you need to know about IP addresses - explained in simple terms
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is like a postal address for your device on the internet. Just as your home needs an address to receive mail, your computer, phone, or tablet needs an IP address to receive data online.
Think of the internet as a massive postal system. When you want to visit a website, your device sends a "letter" (data request) to the website's "address" (IP address). The website then sends back the information you requested to your device's "address" (your IP address).
Every device connected to the internet has a unique IP address, which typically looks like:
An IP address is a unique identifier assigned to every device connected to the internet. Think of it as a digital home address for your computer, phone, or any other smart device. It allows data to be sent and received by the correct recipient.
Once you have an IP address, you might wonder what you can do with it. Learn more in our guide on what you can find with an IP address.
When you connect to the internet, here's what happens:
Your device connects to your internet service provider (ISP) through your router or directly.
Your ISP assigns your device a unique IP address for that session.
When you visit a website, your request includes your IP address so the site knows where to send the response.
The website sends the requested information back to your IP address.
The easiest way to find your public IP address is to search "what is my ip" in Google or visit a website like IPLogger.icu.
Open Command Prompt and type: nslookup myip.opendns.com resolver1.opendns.com
Open Terminal and type: curl ifconfig.me
Visit any "What's my IP" website in your browser
ipconfigWhile your IP address doesn't directly reveal personal information, it can be combined with other data to build a profile of your online activities. This is why many people choose to use VPNs or other privacy tools.
IP tracking is the process of collecting and analyzing IP address data to understand visitor behavior and demographics. This is commonly used for:
Understanding where visitors come from and how they use your website.
Detecting suspicious activity and blocking malicious users.
Showing relevant ads and content based on geographic location.
Meeting regulatory requirements for data protection and access control.
If you're concerned about privacy, here are several ways to protect or hide your IP address:
How it works: Routes your traffic through secure servers
Pros: Strong privacy, encrypts traffic
Cons: May slow connection, costs money
How it works: Acts as intermediary between you and websites
Pros: Often free, easy to use
Cons: Less secure than VPN, may be slower
How it works: Routes traffic through multiple encrypted layers
Pros: Maximum anonymity, free
Cons: Very slow, some sites block Tor
How it works: Uses different network's IP address
Pros: Free, changes your location
Cons: Security risks, inconvenient
For most users, a reputable VPN service offers the best balance of privacy, security, and usability. Choose one with a no-logs policy and strong encryption.
Understanding IP addresses is fundamental to internet literacy in today's digital world.