Short answer
Many web servers log IP addresses for operations, troubleshooting, statistics and security. Retention depends on the site’s policy and legal basis.
Why IP addresses are logged
IP addresses are used to detect attacks, block abuse, analyze operational problems and understand load. Security logs may be necessary to protect the service.
IP address as personal data
In the EU, IP addresses can be personal data when they can be linked to a person. Serious websites should describe their handling in the privacy policy.
What you can do
Read the privacy policy, use a VPN if you want to reduce exposure to individual websites, and avoid mixing anonymous browsing with logged-in accounts if anonymity is the goal.
Common questions
Can a website see my name from my IP?
Normally not directly. The provider can link the address to a customer, but that information is not available to ordinary websites.
Does VisaIP store my IP for ads?
No. VisaIP does not use IP addresses for advertising or user profiling.