What can you learn from an IP address?
Many people have been asking this since I added the display of the poster's IP address to all new messages.
Here's what I know can be found out based on your IP address:
- How you connect to the internet (your ISP, AOL, etc.)
- Where your ISP is located. This may or may not be related to where you are located.
- If you are on-line at the same time as I am, and your IP address is still the same as it was when you posted the message, I may be able to find out what operating system your computer uses (Mac OS, Windows 98, Unix) and what network server programs you are running (a web server, ICQ, etc.)
Here's what I know can not be found out based on your IP address:
- Your email address
- Your real name, phone number, or address
- Any other personal information.
- The only way anyone can find out who you are from your IP address is if they contact your ISP and your ISP looks up the address in their log files. I don't know of any ISP that will do this without pressure from law enforcement or government agencies.
Here's why some people like having IP addresses added to the messages:
- They may help you recognize when one person is using several names to post messages.
- Because they can be traced to a person's real world identity by law enforcement agencies, they discourage people from posting messages that involve death threats, libel, or other illegal utterances.
Concerned about the potential for people to break into your computer if they can see your IP address?
- Every time you visit a website, your IP address is recorded and available to the people who own that website.
- When you send an email message, your IP address is included in the headers of the message. This means that anyone you send email to has your IP address. Some email programs hide these headers, but they are available for anyone who makes the effort to look for them.
- If you use Windows 95/98/2000/NT/Me, you can download a free firewall program from Zone Labs that will protect you from the most common "hacker" attacks.
- If you want to prevent all websites you visit, including this one, from being able to record or display your IP address, you should look into using an anonymous web proxy service.
If you have reason to believe that any of the above is inaccurate, would like to add more information, or have questions, feel free to contact me via email at: webmaster@writersbbs.com.
- Brian Rickman