What is an IP Address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is like a digital home address. Every device connected to the internet needs one so other devices know where to send information.
Public vs. Private
- Public IP: This is the address given to your home router by your Internet Service Provider. It is visible to the entire internet.
- Private IP: These are the addresses your router assigns to your personal devices (like your phone, laptop, or smart TV). These are not visible to the internet.
Your router uses a technology called NAT (Network Address Translation) to act as a middleman. When your phone wants to load a website, the router requests it using the Public IP, and then privately hands the website data back to your phone.
Default Gateway
Your Default Gateway is usually your router’s private IP address. When a device doesn’t know how to reach a destination on the local network, it sends the data to the default gateway, which figures out how to route it to the internet.
Knowledge Check
Question 1 of 1Which of the following is true about a Private IP address?
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