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IP Address
Is it possible to track down someone's IP address online, even if you don't give out personal information? I heard somewhere that it's possible, and I'm worried that some pedophile will track me down on this site. Even though I give out no personal information.
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Want to answer more questions in the Technology category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Internet & Web Design?
Ones IP can be tracked to a city or general area, but beyond that normally one cannot get any more specific. Also with some ISP's, the IP you connect with can rotate, be shared, and possibly the IP might stop at the ISP. Often there isn't even a specific IP number for every computer or connection, you can any number of connections through a gateway and people normally wont be able to go any further than that. If you are really concerned about this, remember that most good ISP's wont release addresses or user information withough legal or law enforcement pressure.
Still worried? You could always try a site like [Link](Mouse over link to see full location) .
Now if someone could hack or gain access to your ISP or a local network, theoretically I would think it possible for them to gain acceess to your computer, unless you are using a router or have a firewall. I could be wrong, but I wouldn'y worry about someone tracking you down by your IP alone.
While you probably do not want your IP readily accessible, it alone wont give someone your address. But your IP, together with a little more info might make your location possible. For example, if one has your IP and can track that down to a specific location (say Anaconda, Montana...yes thats an actual place lol), if they have your last name, or if you mentioned what kind of a car you drive, someone could get close to you fairly easily. If you were a Gov't agency however, all they would have to do is make a few phone calls.
Most likely someone would have to have other information, not simply an IP. Also remember, some e-mails have your IP linked to them, so if you were to send an individual an e-mail they could get it that way.
Most admins/sysops and the like are only interested in IP's as it pertains to their site. Some will try to block problem users by blocking specific IP's, and I think some commercial sites keep track of where users are connecting from by tracking user IP's, mostly I would imagine for marketing and research.
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Most crazy internet pedophiles find it much easier to just lure victims into outright telling them where they live. There are enough uneducated, unmonitored kids online that it's not worth the trouble to hack a website like this to obtain the IP records and connect it to you. There are probably 10-20 moderators on this site who have open access to IP addresses and can find yours out without hacking the site, but even they can't find out where you live just based on that. IP addresses can reveal who your internet service provider is and what region or state you live in, but that's about it. It doesn't reveal your address, what school you go to, your real name, etc.
You're very right not to give out personal information, ever, but basic rules for staying safe online are the same as they are everywhere else... trust your instincts and don't talk to or maintain relationships with anyone who makes you uncomfortable.
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i'm not 100% positive ;; but i am sure that there are people out there that know how to do that.. i don't really think you need to worry about it though, because i highly doubt that they will go through all of that just to find someone on advicenators... when there are girls on myspace half naked that are dumb enough to put stuff liek their phone numbers on there.
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I believe its possible (But hard to find out how), But dont quote me on that. But Im pretty sure your safe, because Man pedophiles would rather catch a girl in a trap on AIM or something, I suppose.
But if it really bothers you delete your advicenators.
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