# IP Address

A unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to a network, used to identify and locate it for communication.

An **IP address[↗](/ip-address)** is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to a network, allowing it to send and receive data across the internet or a local network. It functions similarly to a postal address, letting other devices know exactly where to route information.

IP addresses can reveal a general geographic location and are logged by nearly every website and service a device connects to, which is why privacy tools like VPNs are often used to mask them. Security teams also use IP addresses to identify and block suspicious traffic sources.