You search for flights to Paris. Suddenly, every website shows you Paris ads. You check a hotel comparison site—the prices seem high. You switch to a VPN server in Paris, and the same rooms are 15% cheaper. You weren't imagining it: they were charging you more based on where they thought you were.
Every website you visit knows your approximate location, your ISP, and whether you look like a valuable target.
We didn't fully appreciate this until we built our IP Info tool and saw what gets exposed with every connection. Your IP address isn't a secret—it's transmitted with every request, and it reveals more than most people realize. This guide explains what you're broadcasting, who's listening, and what you can do about it.
What Is an IP Address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identifier assigned to your device when you connect to the internet. Think of it as your digital mailing address—it tells other computers where to send the data you request.
There are two types:
IPv4: The traditional format (e.g., 192.168.1.1). Four numbers separated by dots, each ranging from 0 to 255.
IPv6: The newer format (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334). Created because we're running out of IPv4 addresses.
Your IP address changes depending on how you connect:
- Home WiFi: Your ISP assigns one
- Mobile data: Your carrier assigns one
- Coffee shop WiFi: That network's IP
- VPN: The VPN server's IP
What Your IP Address Reveals
Use our IP Info tool to see what your current connection exposes. Here's what we found when we first checked ours:
Geographic Location
Your IP reveals your approximate location—usually accurate to the city level:
- Country
- Region/State
- City
- Postal code (approximate)
- Latitude/Longitude (approximate)
When we first saw our city displayed from just our IP, it was a wake-up call. No login required, no cookies accepted—just the connection itself revealed where we were.
Internet Service Provider
Your IP identifies your ISP:
- Company name (Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, etc.)
- Connection type (residential, business, mobile)
- Organization (if you're on a corporate network)
Time Zone
Derived from location, but specifically useful for:
- Targeted timing of scams
- Localized advertising
- Service availability decisions
Connection Type
Technical details like:
- Whether you're using a VPN or proxy
- If you're on a datacenter IP (often flagged as suspicious)
- Mobile vs. residential connection
How Websites Use Your IP
Geo-Targeting
Websites customize content based on location:
- Showing local currency and pricing
- Displaying region-specific content
- Redirecting to country-specific domains
- Blocking content not licensed in your region
We've noticed prices change when browsing from different locations. That rental car "deal" might not be the same price worldwide.
Fraud Prevention
IP data helps detect suspicious activity:
- Login from unusual location
- Multiple accounts from same IP
- Transactions from high-risk regions
- Bot traffic patterns
Analytics and Advertising
Marketers use IP data for:
- Audience demographics
- Ad targeting by region
- Conversion tracking
- Market research
Rate Limiting
Websites use IPs to:
- Limit API requests
- Prevent abuse
- Throttle downloads
- Enforce fair usage
Access Control
Some services restrict access by IP:
- Streaming content availability
- Work-from-home access restrictions
- Regional service limitations
- Government-mandated blocks
The Privacy Implications
What Companies Know
When you visit a website without any protection:
- They see your IP (immediately)
- They estimate your location (city-level accuracy)
- They identify your ISP (connection details)
- Combined with cookies, they can build detailed profiles
A single IP isn't personally identifying, but combined with:
- Browser fingerprinting
- Cookies and tracking pixels
- Login history
- Browsing patterns
It creates a comprehensive digital profile.
What We Realized
Building the IP Info tool made us more aware of our digital footprint. We started noticing:
- How often we were seeing location-based ads
- Price differences based on detected location
- Content restrictions we hadn't known existed
- How many sites were logging this information
Real-World Risks
While most IP usage is benign, risks exist:
Targeted attacks: If someone knows your IP, they could attempt direct attacks on your network.
Location exposure: Especially concerning for people in sensitive situations (domestic violence survivors, stalking victims, journalists, activists).
Price discrimination: Studies show some sites charge different prices based on location.
Data collection: IP logs become part of your permanent digital history.
How to Protect Your IP Privacy
Use a VPN
A Virtual Private Network routes your traffic through a server elsewhere:
What it does:
- Masks your real IP with the VPN server's IP
- Encrypts traffic between you and the VPN
- Makes your location appear different
What it doesn't do:
- Make you completely anonymous
- Protect against all tracking methods
- Guarantee the VPN provider won't log data
Our experience: We use a VPN when on public WiFi and when we want location privacy. We chose a provider with a clear no-logging policy and independent audits.
Use Tor
The Tor network routes traffic through multiple encrypted relays:
Pros:
- Stronger anonymity than VPNs
- Decentralized (no single company to trust)
- Free to use
Cons:
- Significantly slower
- Some sites block Tor exit nodes
- More complex to use correctly
When to use: When strong anonymity is required. Not for everyday browsing due to speed.
Use a Proxy
Proxies route traffic through an intermediary:
Pros:
- Can be free
- Easy to configure
- Useful for specific applications
Cons:
- Usually no encryption
- Less reliable than VPNs
- May log your activity
Configure Your Router
Some privacy measures at the network level:
- Enable firewall rules
- Disable UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)
- Use DNS over HTTPS
- Consider a privacy-focused DNS provider
Be Mindful of Public WiFi
On public networks:
- Assume your traffic is visible
- Use VPN always
- Avoid sensitive activities
- Verify network legitimacy
We once connected to "Free_Airport_WiFi" only to realize later it wasn't the official network. VPN saved us that day.
Checking Your Current Exposure
Use our IP Info tool to see:
- Your current public IP address
- Your detected location
- Your ISP information
- Whether you appear to be using a VPN/proxy
Try checking:
- On your home network
- On your phone's mobile data
- Through a VPN
You'll see different information each time, demonstrating how your digital identity changes with your connection.
Common IP Privacy Questions
Can someone find my exact address from my IP?
No. IP geolocation is approximate—usually city-level at best. Your ISP knows your exact address but won't share it without legal process.
Does my IP change?
Dynamic IP: Most home connections use dynamic IPs that change periodically (days to weeks).
Static IP: Some business connections have permanent IPs.
Check over time to see if yours changes.
Does incognito mode hide my IP?
No. Incognito/private browsing only prevents local browser history. Your IP is still visible to every site you visit.
Can websites always see my IP?
Yes, unless you use a VPN, proxy, or Tor. The IP is fundamental to how internet communication works—the website needs somewhere to send responses.
Is hiding my IP illegal?
In most countries, no. Using VPNs and privacy tools is legal. However, using them to commit crimes remains illegal, and some countries restrict VPN usage.
IP Address Myths
"My IP is my identity"
An IP alone doesn't identify you personally. It identifies a connection point. Multiple people share IPs (public WiFi, household connections, mobile carrier NAT).
"VPNs make me anonymous"
VPNs improve privacy but don't guarantee anonymity. The VPN provider sees your traffic. Browser fingerprinting, account logins, and payment methods can still identify you.
"Only criminals need to hide their IP"
Privacy is a fundamental right. Legitimate reasons to protect your IP include:
- Avoiding price discrimination
- Protecting location from strangers
- Securing communications
- Bypassing censorship
- Preventing corporate surveillance
"My ISP protects my privacy"
ISPs in many countries can legally sell browsing data. They know every site you visit. Privacy protection typically requires tools beyond what your ISP provides.
Practical Privacy Tips
For Everyday Browsing
- Use a reputable VPN, especially on public WiFi
- Enable DNS over HTTPS in your browser
- Regularly check what your IP reveals
- Be aware that "free" often means your data is the product
For Sensitive Activities
- Use Tor or a trustworthy VPN
- Don't log into personal accounts
- Use a separate browser profile
- Consider the full chain of potential exposure
For Work
- Follow your organization's security policies
- Use work VPN for sensitive data
- Understand what's logged and by whom
- Separate work and personal browsing
Conclusion
You can't hide on the internet, but you can choose what you reveal.
Perfect anonymity online is nearly impossible—too many tracking methods exist, too many data points correlate. But thoughtful privacy is achievable. Understanding what your IP reveals is the first step. Using a VPN on public WiFi is basic hygiene. Being aware of price discrimination makes you a smarter shopper.
Use our IP Info tool to see what you're currently broadcasting. Check from different connections—home, mobile, VPN—to see how your digital identity changes. Then decide what level of privacy matters to you and take appropriate steps.
Privacy isn't about having something to hide. It's about having something to protect.
Keep Reading
- Data Security Checklist - Complete personal security guide
- Create Secure Passwords Guide - Protect your accounts
- Text Encryption Privacy Guide - Secure your communications
Related Tools
- IP Info - See what your IP address reveals