An Internet Protocol (IP) address is the unique number that gets assigned to your connected device. Every mobile phone, laptop, cable box, tablet, server, along with thousands of other types of devices that are connected to a computer network has one. Much like how a street address identifies where you live, an IP address functions as the identifying "street address" of the device, and allows companies to see where the device is located and route traffic to the nearest server for faster connections and lower latency.
IP geolocation is the science of determining the physical location and Internet connection characteristics of a web visitor. IP geolocation is the technology upon which our Internet Location Intelligence platform is based. The Neustar IP Intelligence data family, which includes UltraGeoPoint and UltraReputation , is the authoritative source of IP decisioning data on 99.99% of routable IPv4 and IPv6 addresses worldwide.
IP geolocation maintains a person's privacy because what is being assessed is the point where the visitor connected to the Internet, locating a computer within a 20-mile area — not a person, not an email, not a street address.
Compare it to mailing a letter. Take an envelope and write an address on it, seal it (empty), do not include a return address, put a postage stamp on it, and mail it from a post office. The envelope will be stamped with a postal code indicating the location at which it entered the postal system. The envelope is in the postal system and will reach its destination, but there is no information about its contents or sender.
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