Have you ever wondered how websites know where you are, what device you are using, or what pages you have already visited? Or how hackers may obtain sensitive information about you, such as your name, email address, or location, simply by knowing your IP address? This article is for you if you want to understand more about how IP addresses are recorded and what it implies for your privacy and security.


In this essay, I will explain what an IP address is, how it works, how different parties track it, and how you may protect yourself from unwanted tracking. I'll also provide some examples and visuals to help you understand. 

By the conclusion of this post, you'll understand how IP addresses are recorded and what you can do about it.


What exactly is an IP address?

IP is an abbreviation for Internet Protocol, which is a collection of rules that governs how data is shared over the internet. Every internet-connected device has a unique identification known as an IP address, which is a series of digits separated by dots such as 172.217.14.206.







An IP address performs two functions: it identifies your device on the network and notifies other devices where to transmit and receive data. When you put www.google.com into your browser, your device uses its IP address to submit a request to the server that hosts Google's website. Using your device's IP address, the server then reacts by sending back the files that comprise Google's webpage.

IP addresses can be static or dynamic. A static IP address remains constant over time and is often issued by your internet service provider (ISP) or network administrator. A dynamic IP address is assigned by a server known as a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server and changes every time you connect to the internet or restart your device.



How can IP addresses become tracked?

Depending on the purpose and source of the IP, there are many methods for tracking it. Here are a few of the most prevalent approaches:


Making Use of Web Tools and Services

Using web tools and services that may reveal information about any IP address, such as its location, ISP, domain name, and more, is one of the simplest methods to monitor an IP address. These are some examples of these tools:


  • IPinfo: This is a free and quick IP address lookup tool that reveals detailed information about any IP address, such as its location, ISP, hostname, and more.
  • Geobytes: Use this tool to determine the approximate longitude and latitude, nation, city, region, ISP, and domain name of any IP address.
  • WhatIsMyIP: This is another popular IP address search tool that delivers information comparable to ipinfo.io. It also displays a map that indicates the IP address's approximate location.
  • WhoIs: You may use this tool to search up information about any domain name, such as its DNS records, reverse DNS lookup, traceroute, ping test, and more.













To use these tools, just enter the IP address or domain name that you wish to track into the search box and press the search button. You will then be sent to a website that has different details about the IP address or domain name that you supplied.

Making Use of Command Prompt

Another method for tracking an IP address is to utilise your computer's command prompt, which is a programme that allows you to run instructions and do operations on your system. You may use the command prompt to trace an IP address using two key commands:


Ping: This command allows you to test the connection between your device and another device on the network by sending data packets and timing how long it takes them to reach their destination and return. You may use this command to determine the IP address of a website or another network device by entering ping followed by the name of the website or device.
To get the IP address of Google's website, for example, write "ping www.google.com" in the command prompt and hit enter. Then you'll see a sequence of lines with the time it took each packet to reach Google's server and return, as well as its IP address.(which is 142.250.205.228).



Tracert: This command allows you to see all of the devices (called hops) that data packets transit through on their journey from your device to another device on the network. By typing tracert followed by the website or device name, you may find out all the IP addresses of the devices engaged in transmitting or receiving data from a website or another device on the network.
For example, if you want to see all of the IP addresses of the devices engaged in transmitting or receiving data from Google's website, enter "tracert www.google.com" on the command prompt and hit enter. Then you'll notice a sequence of lines. It displays the number of hops, its IP address, and the time it took for each packet to arrive.


Making Use of Browser Extensions

Another method for tracking an IP address is to use browser extensions that display information about every IP address or domain name that you visit or interact with on the internet. These are some instances of extensions:

IP Address and Domain Information: With this extension, you can check up information on any IP address or domain name you visit or interact with on the internet, such as its location, ISP, domain name, DNS data, and more. You may get this information by clicking on the extension icon in your browser's toolbar and then typing in the IP address or domain name that you want to want to track.


My IP address: This extension allows you to monitor and view information about your own IP address, such as its location, ISP, domain name, and more. You may also view a map showing the location of your IP address as well as a history of IP address changes. This information is available by clicking on the extension icon in your browser's toolbar.



Why is IP address tracking necessary?
IP address tracking is significant for a variety of reasons, depending on who and why it is done. Here are some of the most crucial reasons for IP address tracking:

Regarding Websites and Third Parties
IP addresses are tracked by websites and third parties for a variety of reasons, including:


  • Websites and third parties can utilise IP addresses to detect your location, language, device type, and preferences, and then present you with information and services suited to your needs and interests. A website, for example, can use your IP address to display content in your language, a streaming service can use your IP address to display content available in your region, and an online store can use your IP address to display items relevant to your location.
  • Analysing web traffic and behaviour: IP addresses may be used by websites and other parties to gather and analyse data about web traffic and behaviour, such as how many visitors a website has, where they come from, what pages they view, how long they stay, what actions they take, and so on. This information may be used to improve the performance, design, functionality, marketing, and user experience of websites and third-party services.
  • Websites and other parties can utilise IP addresses to send tailored advertising to online users based on their location, interests, browsing history, and other factors. This can assist websites and third-party advertisers in increasing revenue and conversion rates by displaying adverts that are more relevant and enticing to online visitors.
  • Preventing fraud and abuse: IP addresses may be used by websites and other parties to prevent fraud and abuse on their platforms, such as spamming, hacking, phishing, identity theft, unauthorised access, harmful attacks, and more. They can do this by banning or restricting access from questionable or malicious IP addresses, as well as requesting verification or authentication from certain IP addresses.












Users' Guide

Users monitor IP addresses for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Troubleshooting network problems: IP addresses may be used to troubleshoot network problems such as sluggish or unreliable connections, errors, timeouts, or failures. They can accomplish this by using commands like ping or tracert to test connection between their device and another device on the network, or by utilising programmes like Geobytes or WhoIS to dig for information about a problematic IP address or domain name.

  • Finding information leaks: IP addresses may be used by users to identify information breaches on their devices or networks that may jeopardise their privacy and security. They can accomplish this by utilising programmes such as Opentracker or Event Catalogue to identify users by obtaining their IP address, location, and other profile facts, or IP Address and Domain Information to seek up contact and registration information for an IP address that is leaking data.

  • Users can utilise IP addresses to safeguard their privacy and security on the internet by masking their true IP address from websites and other parties that may follow them for various reasons. They can accomplish this by employing technologies such as VPNs or proxies, which disguise their true IP address with one from a different location or network.

How Can I Avoid Being Tracked By My IP Address?

Depending on your level of worry and the sort of tracking you wish to prevent, there are many techniques to protect yourself from IP address tracking. Here are a few of the most prevalent approaches:
Delete Browser Data
Clearing your browser data, such as cookies, cache, history, and other information that websites and third parties may use to follow you, is one of the simplest methods to protect yourself from IP address monitoring. To do so, navigate to your browser's settings and pick the option to erase your browsing data. You may also select to have your data cleared automatically whenever you quit your browser or utilise a private or incognito mode does does not store any data.








Clearing your browser data can assist you in preventing websites and other parties from monitoring your browsing history, preferences, and behaviour, as well as providing targeted advertising based on prior visits. This approach, however, does not conceal your IP address from websites and third parties, allowing them to monitor your location, device kind, and other information that your IP address discloses.

Utilising VPNs and Proxies

Another method for avoiding IP address tracking is to use VPNs or proxies, which can substitute your genuine IP address with one from another location or network. VPN is an acronym for Virtual Private Network, a service that connects your device to a server in another location over a safe and encrypted connection. A proxy server is a server that acts as a mediator between your device and the internet.

Another approach to avoid IP address tracking is to use VPNs or proxies, which can replace your true IP address with one from a different location or network. VPN is an abbreviation for Virtual Private Network, a service that establishes a secure and encrypted connection between your device and a server in another location. Proxy Server is an abbreviation for a server that works as a middleman between your device and the internet.


The Tor Browser

Tor Browser, a customised browser that uses a network of volunteer servers called Tor (The Onion Router) to anonymize your online traffic, is another technique to protect yourself from IP address monitoring. Tor Browser protects your web traffic by passing it via numerous layers of encryption and random servers across the world, making it extremely difficult for anybody to track your IP address or online activities.


Tor Browser may assist you in achieving a high level of anonymity and privacy on the online, as well as accessing the dark web, which is a section of the internet that is hidden from ordinary browsers and search engines. However, this technique has certain disadvantages, including slower performance, restricted usefulness, and potential security risks. As a result, you should exercise caution when using Tor Browser and adhere to its best practices, such as not downloading or opening files, not using plugins or extensions, not signing into accounts, and not disclosing any personal information.


Conclusion

IP address tracking is a prevalent internet technique with a variety of advantages and cons for both websites and users. IP addresses are tracked by websites and third parties for a variety of reasons, including providing personalised content and services, analysing online traffic and behaviour, delivering targeted advertising, combating fraud and abuse, and more. Users track IP addresses for a variety of reasons, including network troubleshooting, locating information breaches, preserving privacy and security, and more.



There are several methods for tracking an IP address, including utilising web tools and services, command prompt, browser plugins, and others. There are also several methods for protecting oneself from IP address tracking, such as wiping browser data, utilising VPNs or proxies, and using Tor Browser, among others.



Everyone should be aware of IP address tracking and understand how it works and what it implications for their online experience. You may get greater control over your online privacy and security by knowing more about how IP addresses are recorded and how to protect yourself from unwanted surveillance.


I hope you found this post interesting and learnt something new. Please leave a comment if you have any queries concerning this topic. Thank you for taking the time to read this!