An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identifier that all devices use when connected to the world wide web. This 32-bit number string allows other devices to communicate with you quickly and efficiently, and vice versa. When you send a request, the route to the necessary device(s) is facilitated using IP addresses. The whole process -- identification, verification, and routing is allowed for by how IP and IP addresses are structured.

Your IP is provided to you by your Internet Service Provider, or ISP, and you will also have a rather broad location assigned to you based on where you are using the internet (as you can see above).

There are several ways to modify or hide your IP for privacy or safety reasons. You may use VPNs, proxies and tunneled connections to mask your ip. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a secure private network tunneled between two or more devices. VPNs assign you a new IP and location based on a second server you connect to, allowing for safer and more secure private browsing. The best VPNs also encrypt your content.