IP address - GCSE Computer Science Definition

An IP address, or Internet Protocol address, is a unique set of numbers that identifies a device, like a computer or smartphone, on a network such as the internet. It's similar to a home address but for devices, letting data find its way to the right place. Every time you connect to a website or send an email, your device uses an IP address to communicate, making sure information goes to the correct destination and returns properly. There are two types, IPv4 and IPv6, with IPv6 being used more now because it can create many more unique addresses, which are needed as more devices connect to the internet.