How to Trace an IP Address

Tracing an IP address can reveal its approximate geographic location, and it’s surprisingly straightforward. There are several online IP trackers you can use, including WolframAlpha and the Spiceworks IP Lookup tool. This guide will walk you through the steps to trace an IP address’s origin.

Finding Someone’s Location by Their IP Address

Copy the IP address from the website you want to locate, then paste it into an IP lookup website like WolframAlpha. Press enter to retrieve the IP address’s location.

Method 1: Using WolframAlpha

1. Find the IP address you want to trace:
   • You can locate a website’s IP address on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android platforms.
   • You can also find a Skype user’s IP address if needed.
2. Open the WolframAlpha website:
   • Go to https://www.wolframalpha.com/ in your web browser.
3. Click the search bar:
   • Located at the top of the page.
4. Enter the IP address you found:
   • For example, if you want to trace Facebook’s IP address, type 157.240.18.35 into the search bar.
5. Press Enter:
   • This action will prompt WolframAlpha to search for the IP address’s geographical details.
6. Review the results:
   • WolframAlpha typically displays information such as the type of IP address, the Internet Service Provider (e.g., Comcast), and the city where the IP address is currently active.
   • Click “More” to the right of the “IP address registrant:” heading to view details about the registered city.
   • If WolframAlpha doesn’t display the IP address information, try using IP Lookup instead.

Method 2: Using IP Lookup

1. Find the IP address you want to trace:
   • You can find a website’s IP address on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android platforms.
   • You can also find a Skype user’s IP address if necessary.
2. Open the IP Lookup website:
   • Go to https://community.spiceworks.com/tools/ip-lookup/ in your web browser.
3. Click the search bar:
   • This is the white box below the “IP Address or Hostname” heading.
4. Type in the IP address you found:
   • For example, to search for one of Google’s addresses, type in 172.217.7.206.
5. Click Lookup IP:
   • This blue button is to the right of the text field. Clicking it will search for your entered IP address.
6. Review the results:
   • IP Lookup provides basic information about the IP address’s location (e.g., city and state) along with a map and a location pin.

Tips for Safe Internet Use

• Use Windows Defender: Ensure your Windows desktop or laptop is protected from viruses with Windows Defender, an antivirus software built into the Windows operating system.
• Be cautious with third-party software: Some paid and tested software may attempt to clean up programs and software on your computer that are not harmful.
• Identify legitimate emails: Email providers like MSN, Gmail, and Yahoo have different filtering systems. Check the domain of the email to determine if it’s legitimate.

Q&A for How to Trace an IP Address

How can I find a person’s location right away?

• The fastest way is by finding their IP address.

How do I find out someone’s IP address when they’re connected to my WiFi network?

• If someone is on your WiFi network, they will share the same external IP address as everyone else on that network, since the router assigns the external IP. Each device does have its own internal IP address, but the router provides the external address.

Can an IP address be tracked by Facebook or Viber messages?

• Yes, but only when you are chatting on that particular app.

Can I trace an IP address from Kik or iFunny?

• Yes, you can use a website that sends the user a link. When they click it, it reveals their IP address. This method works for any form of online communication.

How do I track someone’s IP from a post they made on Twitter?

• This is impossible. However, you could try tricking them into sending you an email.

Can I find out the person’s name registered on the network using the tracert command?

• No. The tracert command works like the traceroute command on Cisco CLI. It traces the hop-by-hop path to the desired network (ISP router or switch) but doesn’t provide user names.

How do I look up an IP address from an iPhone?

• You can look up IP addresses from an iPhone the same way you would on a computer. Use the IP-address-tracing websites mentioned in the article if you have Internet access.

How do I stop an IP address from continuously trying to hack into my email?

• Change your IP address, update your passwords, and run an anti-virus program on your computer.

My Facebook account showed a device accessing it that wasn’t mine. What can I do with the IP address of the unknown device?

• You can use an IP address searcher to find the person’s location. Look it up on Google. In the meantime, change your Facebook password.

Can I trace a Facebook account to find out who created an account with my name?

• While it is frustrating, it’s best to report it to Facebook. They will remove the account quickly.

Can someone trace my IP address and make it look like I am doing something on the internet?

• Yes. If someone obtains your IP address, they can mask or spoof their IP to make it look like yours.

Can I get an IP address from a street address?

• IP addresses can only be traced from routers or public areas connected to the internet.

Can I track an IP address from a Google review?

• Not from the review alone. However, if you know basic Google account information, you might obtain more details, including the user’s public IP address. This method won’t work if the person is using a VPN.

How can a mobile phone have multiple IP addresses?

• It can’t. Mobile phones do not have IP addresses. Only the network it is connected to has an IP, and it will have only one.

Can I track an IP from my Android device?

• Yes. There are apps available that can assist you with this, especially on Android. Look for reliable, highly rated apps.

How do I trace an IP address from an email?

• Open a tab and go to whatismyipaddress.com, or a similar site. Open another tab and access the email message. Use the “show original” option in the pull-down menu. Copy the “original” content and paste it into the box on the site. It will give you the sender’s IP address.

Can I use a phone number to track an IP number?

• It depends on the communication system in place where you live. It may be possible if a number is assigned to a person.

Can I track my lost phone using an IP address?

• Maybe. However, using the “Find My iPhone” app is more effective. Try to track the IP address, but note that you can only track it when the phone is online.