An IP address, or Internet Protocol address, is a unique numerical identifier separated by periods (IPv4) or colons (IPv6) that identifies each computer using the Internet Protocol to communicate over a network. It acts like a digital address, enabling data to be directed to the correct location, similar to how a home address allows mail to reach the right destination. For instance, when you visit a website, your computer sends a request to the server hosting the website using your IP address. The server then sends the requested data back to your IP address. IP addresses can be static, meaning they remain constant, or dynamic, meaning they are temporarily assigned by a network and can change over time. In web analytics, IP addresses are used to determine the geographical location of website visitors, track their activity on the site, and manage access rights. They are also essential for network diagnostics and managing network security, enabling administrators to block or allow traffic based on IP addresses.