Using IP Locators to Trace Real World Locations

Each computer connected to the web has their own Internet Protocol Address ("IP address"). This address is what enables the connected device, no matter whether a desktop, laptop or cellular, to communicate with another devices over the Internet. What you might not know is that it can also be utilized to enable visitors to run an IP trace and discover your physical location in real life. This is just what is termed a Geo-IP lookup. Even though the procedure for running an IP trace is fairly uncomplicated, many people are not aware of the advanced technologies involved within the process.

The purpose of the IP address is to enable data to be sent throughout the Internet by having an attached "address" so that the computer servers knows where to direct the information. That is why each and every address is unique to the respective connected device. In reality, this function is very similar to that of sending traditional mail correspondence to family in a different state. Without having an address on the envelope, the mail carrier would have no clue where to deliver your letter. The same is true for information to get delivered over the Internet. To ensure that communication is directed to the correct servers, the receiver's IP address must me included in the information packet.

An IP does not directly reflect the geographical location in computer networking terms. Nonetheless, most physical real-world locations of connected devices can be determined with an IP with the aid of an IP locator. This technology depends on massive computer databases, known as Geo-IP databases, that are employed in order to lookup IP addresses and map them to geographic locations.

The method turns the IP (which is a series of numbers) into what is comparable to how the regular mail system works, by breaking the address down into its parts (similar to country, city and street). In this instance the IP addresses, as an alternative to country, city, street, breaks the address into a series of computer servers. These servers are physically located worldwide, and belong to the worlds internet service providers. The Geo-IP databases track in which country the respective service providers have their physical servers and employ this data to return the approximate geo-location from the connected computer device.

Although the IP locator can return the approximate geographic data about a user, it's not possible to send back the exact physical mailing address from the connected device. This is because of the privacy laws and security systems that the Internet providers must adhere. The data returned from an IP locator is commonly the continent name, local zip code, region, state and community name. Some times the IP locator will also return additional information, such as browser type (such as: IE, Firefox and Safari), language setting, operating-system and monitor resolution.

Once you find out how to perform an IP trace, you can obtain the geo-location of a connected device in seconds. Just don't let that simplicity in the process cause you to forget about the complexity of the technologies behind the IP locator program.