Your public IP address (18.118.200.197) is an IP address that is allocated by your ISP (internet service provider) that allows internet traffic to reach you. IP addresses are allocated in different blocks/ranges, some ranges are public and some are private.

Private addresses (those that fall within private ranges), such as 10.1.1.1, 192.168.1.1, and so on, are only visible within your own network and can't be accessed directly from the internet. These ranges are not unique, and other networks can have the same addresses, which isn't a problem since they are private.

You can check your private address by running the following command via your terminal

> ipconfig

> ifconfig

Public addresses are unique and are used by machines to find each other across the world.

So, what is my public IP? Your public IP is 18.118.200.197.
Why would I need it? You would use this IP address to access your security cameras, smart home system, or some other server running on your network. If you can't access your system you'll probably need to enable port forwarding on your home router

It's recommended that you use a VPN to protect your privacy and increase your security. On your home network your ISP can track your browsing history and a VPN will improve your privacy. On a public network, such as your favorite coffee shops Wi-Fi, a VPN is strongly encouraged for the safety of your accounts. Malicous attackers may monitor your traffic and you don't know the strength of the network you are on.