Understanding Your Digital Fingerprint
Every time you visit a website, your browser sends a "handshake" that contains your IP address and a User Agent string. While this might sound technical, it's the fundamental way the internet works. Your IP address tells the server where to send the data, and your User Agent tells it how to format that data for your specific device.
What is a User Agent?
A User Agent is a short string of text that identifies your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari), its version, and your operating system (Windows, macOS, Android). Web developers use this string to provide "responsive" experiences. For example, if your User Agent says you're on an iPhone, the site will serve a mobile-optimized layout. You can also use our Open Graph Generator to see how these sites preview your links.
Is My IP Address Private?
Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit. It's like a return address on an envelope. While it doesn't reveal your name or exact house number, it can reveal your city and Internet Service Provider (ISP). Using a privacy-focused tool like this connection inspector is the first step in understanding your online footprint.