WHAT IS AN IP ADDRESS AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

21/09/2026 Comunicação Simdea

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What Is an IP Address and Why Does It Matter?

Every time we use the internet, our device needs a way to identify itself and communicate with other devices.

This is where the IP address comes in.

An IP address, short for Internet Protocol address, is a unique identification number assigned to each device connected to a network or to the internet. In simple terms, it works like a digital address, allowing devices to send and receive information.

Whenever we are connected to the internet, our device needs to exchange data with other systems. Thanks to the IP address, information knows where it needs to go and how to reach the right destination.

When we type the name of a website into a browser, we usually do not think about the IP address behind it, and in reality, we do not need to know it. However, it is this address that helps the internet understand where the information should be sent.

But if computers communicate through IP addresses, why do we type names like “google.com” instead of a sequence of numbers?

Because memorising IP addresses would be extremely difficult, domain names such as “google.com” were created to make websites easier to remember. This is where DNS comes in.

DNS, or Domain Name System, works like the phonebook of the internet. It converts easy-to-remember website names into IP addresses that computers use to communicate with each other.

After that, the browser can contact the correct server and request the website’s content.

It is similar to looking up someone’s phone number: it is much easier to associate the number with a name and let the system find it than to memorise every number we use regularly.

The Different Types of IP Addresses

When we talk about IP addresses, there are two main formats: IPv4 and IPv6.

IPv4 is the most familiar format and appears as four groups of numbers, such as 192.168.1.10. For many years, this format was enough to support the growth of the internet.

However, as more computers, smartphones, televisions, smartwatches, cars and countless other devices became connected to the network, IPv4 addresses started to become insufficient.

To respond to this growth, IPv6 was created, offering space for a much larger number of addresses. Its format is also different: it uses hexadecimal letters and numbers separated by colons, for example 2001:db8::1.

We can also distinguish between public IP addresses and private IP addresses.

A public IP address is used to identify a network on the internet. A private IP address works within a local network.

This is why, in the same home, a computer, a smartphone and a television can each have different private IP addresses while sharing the same public IP address through the router.

In short, different types of IP addresses serve different purposes, but they all help ensure that devices can communicate with each other.

What Does My IP Address Say About Me?

It is common to think that an IP address can reveal exactly who we are or where we are. In reality, it is not that simple.

An IP address can provide some information about an internet connection, such as the country or an approximate location. However, it does not directly reveal a person’s name, home address or identity.

Still, this information can become more relevant when combined with other data.

By combining an IP address with additional information, online services can gain a broader context about a connection. This can be used to strengthen security, detect suspicious behaviour or adapt and personalise certain types of content for the user.

Understanding what an IP address does, and just as importantly, what it does not do, helps us better understand the technology behind our everyday digital activities.

Curious to learn more about the technology we use every day?

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