What's my IP address?

When you connect to the Internet, your ISP assigns you an IP address. This unique number tells servers where to deliver content and identifies you to websites.

While you can use computer-side commands to display your IP, the easiest way to find out your IP address is to use a site like whatismyipaddress.com. These sites not only display your IP, but also use what’s called a GEOIP database to determine your approximate location. There’s no need to worry, however, because since your IP is assigned by your ISP, the location showed is that of your provider, not your home or business.

Depending on the type of service you have, your IP will be either static or dynamic. Static IPs never change, while a new dynamic IP is generally assigned every time a user connects to the web. Because static IPs are more expensive, they are generally reserved for businesses and high-end residential plans.