You've likely heard the term "IP address" before, but it can sound like a complicated piece of technical jargon. In reality, the concept is quite simple. Think of it like a mailing address for your computer on the internet.
An Address for the Digital World
"IP" stands for Internet Protocol, which is the set of rules that governs how data is sent over the internet. An IP address is the unique number assigned to your device when it connects to a network.
Just as the post office needs your home address to deliver a letter, websites and online services need your IP address to send data (like a webpage or a video) to your specific device.
Public vs. Private IPs
There are two types of IP addresses. A private IP is used inside your home or office network to identify your specific device (like your phone or laptop) to your router. A public IP is the one, single address that your entire network uses to communicate with the rest of the internet. It's this public IP address that websites see when you visit them.
Curious what your public IP address is right now? It's easy to check.
Knowing your public IP can be useful for troubleshooting network issues, for certain online gaming situations, or simply out of curiosity. It's your computer's unique fingerprint on the vast network of the internet.