

And, although online advertisers won’t be able to identify the person behind an IP address, they can track the IP address itself and use it to deliver targeted ads to your device.

On the upside, only your Internet Service Provider knows the real name and exact address associated with an IP address, but it is possible to get a rough estimate of your location, based on your IP address alone. IP addresses are often associated with questions about online privacy – and it’s a mixed bag. This address is sometimes known as the local or private address, as it’s only known by your home network.

In addition to the external IP address, every device on your network will have its own IP address, including your Mac and your router. This IP address is how the rest of the Internet sees you. What’s the difference between external and internal IP addresses?Īn external IP address, also known as a public IP address, is assigned to your network as a whole by your Internet Service Provider.
