What Is an IP Address?

TL;DR: An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique number that identifies every device connected to the internet. Without it, websites, apps and streaming services wouldn’t know where to send data. Below we break down how IPs work, the different formats (IPv4 & IPv6), why some addresses start with 192.168, and—most importantly—how to keep your IP from leaking more about you than you’d like.

Why Should You Care About IP Addresses?

Your IP address is like the return address on every packet of information you send online. It can reveal:

This information is handy for geotargeted content (think Netflix libraries) but also valuable to advertisers and, occasionally, hackers. That’s why our privacy guide shows you how to mask or change your IP.

Anatomy of an IP Packet

The Internet Protocol sits at Layer 3 of the OSI model. Every packet includes a source IP and a destination IP. Routers read those two fields only—they don’t care about the rest of the payload—then forward the packet closer to its final destination using a routing table.

IPv4: The Veteran Workhorse

Introduced in 1981, IPv4 uses 32 bits, usually written in dotted‑decimal notation, e.g. 203.0.113.42. That allows for roughly 4.3 billion unique addresses. We burned through those faster than anyone expected, so tricks like Network Address Translation (NAT) and Classless Inter‑Domain Routing (CIDR) were invented to stretch the pool.

IPv6: The Future (Already Here)

IPv6 solves the exhaustion problem with 128‑bit addresses—340 undecillion possibilities. It also bakes in IPsec, removes broadcast traffic and simplifies header processing. Example: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 (often compressed to 2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334).

Most modern devices and ISPs are dual‑stack, meaning they can talk both IPv4 and IPv6. You can check which one you’re using on our home page.

Public vs Private IP Addresses

Not every IP is routable on the open internet. Private ranges are reserved for local networks (10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, 192.168.0.0/16 in IPv4, and fd00::/8 for IPv6). Your laptop might be 192.168.1.23 at home, but the outside world sees only your router’s public IP.

Static vs Dynamic

Static IP = permanent; great for self‑hosting a website or running a VPN server. Dynamic IP = changes periodically; cheaper for ISPs to administer. Residential broadband is usually dynamic, but you can often pay for a static upgrade.

How to Find Your IP Address

  1. Visit GetMyIP.se (obviously!).
  2. On Windows/macOS/Linux, open Terminal/PowerShell and run ipconfig or ifconfig for local addresses.
  3. On phones, look under Wi‑Fi settings → “IP Address”.

Can Someone Hack Me via My IP?

Knowing an IP alone rarely gives attackers direct entry—they still need an exploitable service listening on an open port. That said, IPs are a starting point for DDoS or phishing, so masking your address (via VPN or CGNAT) is basic hygiene.

Quick Glossary

NAT
Lets multiple devices share one public IP.
CIDR
Modern notation for IP networks (e.g. /24).
SLAAC
Stateless IPv6 autoconfiguration.
IPsec
Security protocol suite baked into IPv6.

Key Takeaways