3 Pro Tips to Track an IP Address

3 Pro Tips to Track an IP Address

Want to trace where traffic to your site is coming from? Or do you have to check on suspicious network activity? IP addressing can be used to perform network troubleshooting, fraud monitoring, and cybersecurity. However, it should be done legally and ethically.

Below are three professional, practical tips for monitoring an IP address. This advice applies to both public and private IP environments and describes what IP lookup tools can (and cannot) tell you.

3 Pro Tips to Track an IP Address

1. Use Reliable IP lookup tools, but mind the limits

2. Check logs and email headers 

3. Work with platforms, ISPs, and professionals when needed

Also Read: What is a Private Proxy?

1. Use Reliable IP lookup tools, but mind the limits

Begin with a trusted IP dig tool. These services exhibit fundamental information that is associated with an IP address. 

You can look at the ISP, city, country, and the type of address, i.e., IPv4 or IPv6. However, this assists in geolocation tracking and rudimentary user behaviour analysis.

However, remember the limits. An IP address can hardly provide a precise street address. The majority of lookups give a rough area. 

Mobile carriers, VPNs, and proxies can disguise real locations. Public IPs can refer to data centres and not end users. Internal ones are private IPs (such as 192.168.x.x), which cannot be seen online.

IP lookup results need to be a lead, not evidence. Integrate them with other sources of data. 

Date-stamped server logs, user agent strings, and session tokens are examples that may be used to form a more detailed picture.

Nevertheless, this will make your data analytics and business intelligence reporting more precise.

2. Check logs and email headers (only for systems you control)

And in case you own the server, the site, or the email account, then your logs are most valuable. The IP addresses that have been connected to your systems are recorded in the server logs. 

They also store time stamps, requested pages, and response codes. This data can be used in network troubleshooting and monitoring.

Email header IP tracing may also be beneficial. Headers include routing information and, in some cases, the source IP. It should be used to detect fraud and check suspicious messages. 

However, do not also bother to follow emails or servers that you are not the owner of. This can be a breach of service or local legislation.

Provided you operate a website or an application, make sure that extensive logging and log storage are configured. 

Keep store logs in a secure place and work on them with automated tools. Many data management solutions and analytics platforms have built-in log analysis. 

It is easier to identify common IPs, uncharacteristic traffic surges, or trends that indicate abuse.

Also Read: Get IP Unbanned on Instagram

3. Work with platforms, ISPs, and professionals when needed

Certain investigations need access to the community tools and logs. In case the IP address is linked to abusive behaviour or fraud, contact the host provider or ISP. 

The majority of the providers have an abuse contact. They may act, e.g., by blocking an account or giving more information in response to legitimate requests.

In cases involving serious threats, the police will be allowed to make a legal request for subscriber information. 

There are formal report procedures on platforms like social networks and messaging apps. For example, when you are abused on a site, instead of trying to derive IPs yourself, use the site's reporting functions.

Professional services can be considered in the case of your long-term. 

Managed security providers provide services such as continuous monitoring, automated cybersecurity monitoring, and fraud detection using IP intelligence. 

These groups employ legal, best-practice techniques to match IPs against other indicators and to give actionable warnings.

Ethics and legality — always put them first.

Monitoring an IP address without permission is an invasion of privacy. The tricky act of trying to get someone's IP address should be avoided. 

Do not be tempted to do anything that could be considered IP hacking or unauthorised access. These activities are unethical and criminal.

If you are attempting to report a case of personal harassment or stalking, you should report it to the platform or the police, depending on the need. If you are a company concerned about fraud or abuse, you can use your own logs, IP lookup services, and professional security services.

It is also handy to know how to conceal an IP using a VPN or a proxy. Privacy is common among the users of these services. 

When analysing IPs, consider the possibility of using a VPN. This will avoid false assumptions that will be made in investigations.

Also Read: What's the Cost of IP?

Quick glossary

• Public and private IPS: Public IPs are visible on the Internet, and private IPs are within local networks.

• IPv4 vs IPv6: Two IP standards. IPv6 has more addresses than IPv4.

• IP lookup tool: This is an internet-based service that provides the ISP and approximate location of a public IP.

• Geolocation tracking: The determination of the physical location of a device based on an IP address. It is approximate.

FAQs

Q1: What is an IP tracker?

Ans: IP lookup is a tool for carrying out an IP tracker. It discloses information such as the ISP, city, and whether the address is IPv4 or IPv6.

Q2: Can I find someone’s phone number by IP?

Ans: No. Phone numbers are not given in an IP lookup. Phone details are confidential, and they are not related to IPs in open databases.

Q3: How can I get someone’s IP on Discord or Facebook?

Ans: Do not attempt to access another person's IP address without their permission. Platform operators can also take action against abuse and cooperate with legitimate demands by applying platform reporting.

Q4: Is it legal to trace an IP address?

Ans: Yes, provided that it is done for legitimate and legal reasons. IP hacking or illegal access is an unlawful practice.

Conclusion:

IP tracking may be useful as a network troubleshooting tool, an IP user behaviour analysis tool, and IP fraud detection tool. 

In cases where you are the system's owner, resort to known IP look-up systems and system logs, and consult with ISPs or professionals when necessary. Above all, do not be on the wrong side of the law and practice privacy.

IP tracking enhances security and provides definitive information when properly applied. In the event of abuse, it creates damage and legal liability. Fight smart, fight legal and fight with data.