The Address of the Internet
Imagine the internet as a massive postal system. Every time you send a message (load a webpage, stream a video, send an email), the network needs to know where to send the data back. That 'return address' is your IP (Internet Protocol) address.
IPv4 vs. IPv6
You'll often see two types of addresses:
- IPv4: The old standard. Looks like
192.168.1.1. We ran out of these years ago, but we use tricks to keep them working. - IPv6: The new standard. Looks like
2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. It provides roughly 340 undecillion addresses—enough for every atom on Earth to have its own IP.
Public vs. Private IPs
Your router has a Public IP (assigned by your ISP) that faces the world. Your phone and laptop have Private IPs (like 192.168.x.x) that only exist inside your home network. Websites only see your Public IP.
Curious what yours is? Check it right here on DCIPCHECK.