Every device on the internet needs an address so data knows where to go. Your public IP address is the address your home or mobile network presents to the websites you visit. It's useful for the internet to work, and it also leaves a few traces.
What your IP address can reveal
- Your internet provider. IP addresses are assigned in blocks to providers, so it's easy to see which company you use.
- Your approximate location. Usually a city or region, not your street address. It can sometimes be inaccurate, especially on mobile networks.
- That a connection is yours, over time. If your address stays the same, a website can recognise repeat visits.
What it cannot reveal on its own
- Your name, ID number or home address. Only your internet provider can link an address to your account.
- What's on your device, or what you do on other websites.
Why websites care about your IP address
- Showing region-specific content and prices
- Fraud and security checks
- Analytics and advertising
On its own it's a small piece of information. Combined with cookies, logins and other signals, it can help build a profile of your habits.
How a VPN changes this
When you use a VPN, websites see the VPN server's IP address instead of yours. Your real address stays between you and the VPN provider. That reduces how easily sites can pin down your network and location. It doesn't hide who you are if you're logged in, and cookies and other trackers still work.
New to all this? Our guide to VPNs explains the basics, and VPN vs private DNS shows how privacy tools fit together.
Take back a little control
Hide your public IP address and encrypt your connection with Anchored Privacy.
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