An IP address is very similar to your home address, except that it works to identify where you live by way of the internet, rather than by your street address, but that doesn't really make a difference and you'll see why.
First thing, no one would give out their home address to a completely stranger if they ask for it, why would you? You know that giving out your personal information to a complete stranger is very dangerous. On the other hand, when a company asks for your personal information you hand it out to them because you deem it reasonable to do such thing as a requirement for their services which identifies who you are.
So why would anyone give out their IPs? One possible reason would be because you are not aware of exactly what an IP is or how it works. But giving out such information is very dangerous to you and your family.
An IP stands for Internet Protocol. Again, it is used to identify you over the internet, just like your street address identifies where you live.
The IP (Internet Protocol) also servers to identity you in your home network. So if you have an internet connection and more than one computer set up, an IP is assigned to each computer and peripheral device such as printers, routers, modems and such to identify them on your home network as different devices. This facilitates the communication between all of your devices. Your home network could be your WiFi system if you have a wireless network set up.
Again, like mentioned before, your IP address is like your home address. The mail arrives at your home by way of home address. Likewise, you receive emails and instant messages on your computer by these applications making use of your IP address to identify you over the internet. Without an IP address, it is not possible for you to be identified over the internet because the internet is set up in such a way that your IP address is needed to identity who you are.
Your IP address is assigned to you by your ISP (Internet Service Provider). Your ISP assignation of an IP to you is permanent; it cannot be changed unless you request the change. Be mindful though that your ISP will not always honor such a request.
If ever, a wanna-be or would-be hacker gets a hold of your IP, then they basically have the power to find out where you live. This holds the same for internet marketing firms and companies who are shabby about their privacy policies.
When you hide your real IP address, then you prevent internet hackers and marketing firms from finding out where you live. By hiding your IP, you are also able to hide your online habits and such as well as prevented spammers from finding out your email address and you from receiving suspicious emails.
Hopefully, if you were cloudy as to what an IP address was, now you know. By hiding your IP address, you are helping yourself at protecting your online privacy, which is an ever growing problem now a days.
Hide-My-IP link.
Protect Your Online Privacy.