What term is used to identify a device connected to the internet, which can be either permanent or temporary?

The correct choice is IP Address because it specifically refers to a unique string of numbers assigned to each device connected to the internet. This address can change depending on whether the device is connected to a local network (temporary) or has a consistent presence on the internet (permanent).

An IP address enables the identification and location of a device on the network, allowing for communication between devices across the vast infrastructure of the internet. It serves as the essential means for sending and receiving information accurately. The temporary nature of an IP address can be seen in devices that use dynamic IP addressing, where their addresses are assigned for a limited duration. In contrast, permanent connections often use static IP addresses that remain the same over time.

In contrast, while terms like subnet mask, domain name, and network address are related to networking concepts, they do not specifically serve to identify individual devices in the way an IP address does. A subnet mask defines the portion of the IP address that identifies the network versus the host, a domain name represents a readable address linked to an IP address but is not the address itself, and a network address refers to the address that identifies a particular network rather than an individual device.