What is an IP address?
IP (Internet Protocol) addresses are unique identifiers that allow your computer to communicate over the internet. Every device on the internet must have an IP address. Similar to the way other addresses work, IP addresses are used so that devices can send information between themselves.
Where do IP addresses come from?
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns you an IP address when you connect to the internet.
Who can see my IP address?
Any website or service you connect to can see your IP address. For instance, when you connect to a website, your computer will send a request to the website which contains your IP address. The website then uses this address to send the content of the website back to you so it loads on your computer. Without your IP address, the website wouldn't have a way of sending the website back to your computer. This process is the same way that this website gets your IP address so that it can be displayed on this page.
Can my IP address be used to track me? What can someone do with my IP address?
Yes. Because each connection you make to a website contains your IP address, websites can keep logs of your activity associated with your IP address. This can be used to compile a history of your internet activity.
Does a Private Window, Incognito Window, or Private Browsing mode prevent sites from tracking me?
No. These browser modes only prevent your own computer from keeping a history of visited sites. It does not prevent your IP address from being sent to websites, nor does it prevent them from keeping a copy of your browsing history.
Does an IP address identify a specific computer?
Sometimes. There are some computers on the internet that have their own unique internet address, but it is also common for a group of computers to share an IP address (using a technology called NAT). For example, many Internet Service Providers will assign one IP address to a household or workplace, and computers will share that same address, similar to how they might also share a single street address.
Does an IP address always identify a specific person?
No. IP addresses can be shared by multiple people in many different scenarios. However, if you ever provide any identifying information over the internet, that website can correlate that idenfitying information with your IP address
Does my IP address change?
Maybe. Some Internet Service Providers assign new addresses to your connection occasionally (these are called 'dynamic' IP addresses) and some remain the same for an indefinite period of time (these are 'static' IP addresses).
Can an IP address be traced to a physical address? How does it work?
It depends. There are five Regional Internet Registries that keep track of all of the world's IP addresses, and assign them to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other networks as needed. Those ISPs also usually register information about the general location of those addresses. However, this data is typically accurate only to approximately the city level. This information is not detailed enough to identify particular street addresses. Information derived from this is made available in many public "IP geolocation" databases; that is where the information on this page comes from.
Regardless of what some websites may claim, IP address geolocation services (like the one on this page) are not accurate enough to pinpoint a particular address. They are estimates. Some websites show pinpoint markers, but these are misleading. On this page, we show a circle to more faithfully represent the estimated accuracy of the geolocation information.
However, if you ever tell an app or a website where you are, for example, by enabling GPS or typing in your address, those apps or websites will obviously be able to track you more accurately.
Is it possible to hide my IP address?
Sort of. There are services, such as VPNs, which will act as an intermediary between your computer and the public internet. Therefore, apps and websites will see the IP address of the VPN provider instead of your IP address. However, the VPN provider can still see your IP address, and potentially, your internet activity.