IP address is short for Internet Protocol address. An IP address is a label used to identify a device or multiple devices on a computer network.

What does an IP Address Look like?

IP addresses are written as a 32-bit numeric address written as four numbers separated by periods.

Example: 69.89.31.226

What is an IP Address in Simple Terms?

An IP address is like a postal address for your house. When you use the internet, data flows from your device to the internet and back to your device. Websites you visit use your IP address to find your device and send it the proper data.

What is an IP Address Used for?

IP addresses are used for routing the data from the sites you visit to your specific network and device. Browsing the web involves sending “packets” of information back and forth between websites (e.g. medium.com) and your computer.

Although your device can locate Medium.com on the internet, Medium.com needs a unique identifier to know where to send the “packets” from their site to your device. Your IP address is a numerical identifier for your device.

What Can Someone Do With Your IP Address?

If someone accesses your IP address, you don’t have much to worry about. Every website you visit can view your IP address if you don’t take steps to obscure your local IP address.

It would be difficult for someone to locate you using only your IP address. However, if you’re engaging in illegal activity, law enforcement agencies could present your ISP with a subpoena and force them to reveal the actual location of your IP address.

How Can You Hide Your IP Address?

1. Use a VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) isolates your browsing from your local IP address by rerouting your internet connection through virtual networks located somewhere besides your local network.

The websites you visit will only be able to see the VPN’s IP address and not the IP address associated with the WiFi network you’re connected to.

2. Use a Different WiFi Network

If you don’t want certain browsing linked to your home network, one low-tech solution is to simply move to another network. You could use your neighbor’s WiFi network or a public WiFi network at a coffee shop. Although, beware of the other threats associated with public WiFi, like Man-in-the-Middle attacks.

3. Use the Tor Browser

The Tor Browser is a more involved, less convenient solution, but it’s an effective way to keep your browsing anonymous. Tor is a network of volunteer-run remote servers that bounces your connection around this network before routing your traffic to its destination. With Tor, unlike with a VPN, your browsing can’t be linked back to Tor and you won’t be subject to IP leaks associated with VPN-use.

How Do I Locate My IP Address?

One of the easiest ways to see your IP address is to go to whatismyipaddress.com. The site will show your IP address, the ISP associated with that IP, and the location of the IP address.

Note: If you’re connected to the web through a VPN or proxy, your IP address may come from another location.

Another way to find your IP address is to do a web search for ‘What’s My IP Address?’ — most search engines have a quick answer and will show you your public IP address.

How Do You Get an IP Address?

The network you connect to may assign your device an IP address dynamically when you join the network, or your device may have an assigned IP address designated in its hardware or software.

Networks use Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to assign dynamic IP addresses to new devices when they join the network. These IP addresses are typically linked to a “lease” which typically has an expiration date for the IP address assigned to a specific device. If that lease is not renewed, the IP address may be associated with another device.

Video: What is an IP Address? — Cisco Answers IT