Glossary · Network

IP address

Also calledipinternet protocol address

Definition

An IP address is a numeric identifier assigned to each device on a network — how packets know where to go.

Explanation

In depth

IPv4 addresses look like 192.0.2.1 (four numbers, 0-255 each); IPv6 look like 2001:db8::1 (hexadecimal, colon-separated). Every device on the public internet has at least one public IP (usually assigned by your ISP) and one private IP inside your home network. Websites see your public IP and can infer your country, city, and ISP from it via GeoIP databases. Proxies and VPNs work by presenting a different public IP to destinations — the proxy's IP rather than yours. That is the entire mechanism behind geo-unblocking and anonymity. IP addresses are also the substrate for IP-level firewall blocking — destinations or intermediate networks can drop packets to or from specific IPs.

Related terms

IP blockingIP blocking drops packets destined for specific IP addresses at the network firewall level — bypasses DNS entirely.ASN (Autonomous System Number)An ASN identifies a network operator — an ISP, cloud provider, or enterprise — for routing traffic between networks on the public internet.SubnetA subnet is a range of IP addresses that share a common prefix — used to organise networks and route traffic.ISP (Internet Service Provider)An ISP is the company that provides your internet connection — assigns your public IP, routes your traffic, and often enforces country-level blocking policies.

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