What distinguishes public IP addresses from private IP addresses?

Public IP addresses are routable on the internet, meaning they can be accessed by devices globally. This allows devices with public IP addresses to communicate with other devices across the internet without restrictions. Public IP addresses are assigned by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and are unique across the internet, facilitating proper routing of data packets between different networks and devices.

In contrast, private IP addresses are designed for use within a local network and are not unique on the global scale, which is why they are non-routable on the internet. Devices using private IP addresses can communicate with each other within the same local network but cannot be accessed directly from outside that network. This distinction in routability is crucial for network design and security; it prevents direct access to local devices from the internet, enhancing security.

The other choices do not accurately describe the relationship between public and private IP addresses, as they either misrepresent routing capabilities or misassign their uses.