CyberGuard dictionary / Network Security
IP Address
Also known as IP
A numeric address used to identify a network interface in Internet Protocol communication.
In simple terms
An IP address helps devices send data to the right place across a network.
Technical explanation
IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses; IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses. Addresses may be public, private, temporary, or shared through translation.
An IP address identifies a network interface in a routing context, not necessarily a person or permanent device. Shared networks, address translation, and reassignment limit what can be inferred from one address.
Examples in practice
A router uses an IP address to send a website response back toward the requesting device.
A website log shows one public address for many office employees behind a gateway. The investigator needs timestamps and gateway records before linking a request to a particular internal device.
Why it matters
An IP address is useful network context but is not proof of a person’s identity or physical location.
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Sources and further reading
- www.rfc-editor.orghttps://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc791↗
- www.rfc-editor.orghttps://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc8200↗
Published 2026-10-15 · Last updated 2026-10-15 · CyberGuard editorial content. Source links provide context; they do not imply endorsement.