IP Address — What It Is and Why VPNs Hide It

What Is an IP Address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to the internet. It serves two purposes: identifying the device and providing its location on the network.

IPv4 vs IPv6

• IPv4: Traditional format like 192.168.1.1 — limited to ~4.3 billion addresses
• IPv6: Newer format like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334 — virtually unlimited

Why Your IP Matters for Privacy

Your IP address reveals your approximate location, ISP, and can be used to track your online activity across websites.

How a VPN Hides Your IP

When you connect to LimeVPN, websites see the VPN server's IP instead of yours. Check your current IP with our What Is My IP tool.