Yes and no. IP addresses are unique addresses of network adapters that are used to identify computers on a network - and the Internet is one vast network. Most Web sites capture a variety of information about site visitors including browser type, operating system, and IP address.
An IP address is a string of numbers that don’t mean much to the average computer user. However, if you know what each set of numbers means, you’ll find a wealth of information. An earlier post discusses exactly what an IP address is and what the various numbers indicate.
For example, specific prefixes are assigned to ISPs, companies, and other organizations. By looking at a user’s IP address, you may be able to determine that the user is on a particular college campus.
Tools are readily available on the Internet that allow you to discover your own IP address. Some of these tools even pinpoint your community - complete with maps! In theory, anyone who can view your IP address can figure out your general location. People with access to your IP address can also learn who your Internet Service Provider is based on this information. While this information doesn’t pinpoint your location down to your exact physical address, it does reveal more than you may have realized.
For example, I just ran an “IP trace” on my own computer. This trace reported:
- My IP address
- My country, region, and city
- My latitude and longitude
- My Internet Service Provider
- IP protocol
- Remote port
- Connection type
- Browser
- Operating system
- Language
- Support for plug-ins
- And more. . .
If a crime is suspected or some other legal concern, it’s conceivable that law enforcement officials could go to the ISP and ask them to identify you.
While I have no intention of doing anything illegal, I’m not sure that I want this much information about me or my computer readily available to marketers and hackers. In addition, did you know that there is such a thing as a reverse IP search? Subscribers to massive databases can enter an IP address and find out who you are!
For example, Web sites can discover your IP address and link it to other, personally identifying information that you’ve provided them with during your visit. Let’s say you place an order with a Web site. Not only will the Web site have your IP address, they will have your name, address, phone number, and credit card information as well as your product preferences. If the Web site has “partners,” your information may be shared with, or even sold to, other marketers and database builders.
A variety of tools are available for hiding IP addresses including proxy servers and software packages that hide your IP address.
