How does a public IP address differ from a private IP address?

A public IP address is designed to be globally unique, meaning it can be accessed over the internet from anywhere in the world. This uniqueness is essential for routing internet traffic; each public IP acts as an identifier for a device on the internet. In contrast, a private IP address is intended for use within a specific local network, such as a home or business. These addresses are not routable on the internet, allowing multiple organizations to use the same private IP range without conflict.

Using private IP addresses within a local network conserves the limited pool of public IP addresses and enhances security because devices with private IPs aren't directly exposed to the internet. As such, organizations can employ Network Address Translation (NAT) to allow multiple devices with private IPs to connect to the internet through a single public IP.

The other answer choices do not correctly define the relationship between public and private IP addresses. For instance, the misconception that a public IP is used for private networks is inaccurate, as public IPs are exclusively intended for internet connectivity. Similarly, the idea that a public IP can change frequently, while a private IP remains static, oversimplifies the diverse configurations possible for both types. The notion of using both types interchangeably does not hold, as their