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Your IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique numerical identifier assigned to your device by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) whenever you connect to the internet. Every time you load a webpage, stream a video or send an email, your IP address travels with your request — allowing servers around the world to route responses back to you.
The address shown above is your public IP address — the one visible to every website you visit. This is different from your private IP, which is the internal address your router assigns to devices on your local network.
Every website you visit can see your IP address and use it to identify:
IPv4 is the older format — four groups of numbers separated by dots (e.g. 192.168.1.1). There are roughly 4.3 billion possible IPv4 addresses and the pool is nearly exhausted. IPv6 is the newer standard with a vastly larger address space (e.g. 2001:0db8::1). Most modern devices support both simultaneously.
The most effective way to hide your IP is with a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN routes your traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a server in your chosen location — websites see the VPN server's IP, not yours. Premium VPNs also prevent DNS leaks and WebRTC leaks that could expose your real IP even while connected.
Your public IP is what the internet sees — assigned by your ISP and shared by all devices on your network. Your private IP is assigned by your router internally (usually starting 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x). Websites only ever see your public IP.
Most home broadband connections use a dynamic IP that changes periodically when your router reconnects. A static IP stays fixed — used by businesses and servers. Mobile IPs change frequently. A VPN gives you a new IP instantly by connecting to a different server.