Legal Definitions - IP address

An IP address is a unique identification number that is assigned to a device connected to a computer network, such as the internet. The acronym IP stands for "Internet Protocol," which refers to the rules that govern the format of data sent through the internet or local network. IP addresses allow users to send information between devices on a network.

An IP address is made up of four sets of numbers separated by dots. For example, 146.30.222.16 is an IP address. The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) allocates IP addresses to devices.

IP addresses are like phone numbers for devices on a network. Just as you need a phone number to call someone, devices need an IP address to communicate with each other on a network. Without an IP address, devices would not be able to send or receive information.

For example, when you type a website address into your web browser, your device sends a request to the website's IP address to retrieve the website's content. The website's IP address then sends the requested information back to your device.