IP addresses are like phone numbers. They’re used to identify devices and individuals on the Internet. Every computer, device, and smartphone has its own IP address.
Your IP address is usually hidden from you because it’s not something you need to know. But there are times when you might want to find out the IP address of someone else, whether they’re a friend or a business associate.
What is an IP Address?
An internet Protocol (IP) address is a numerical label assigned to devices participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication between its nodes. An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing. Its role has been characterized as follows: “A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A route indicates how to get there.”
Here are six ways to find someone’s IP address:
1. Use their email address.
If you have access to someone’s email account (for example, through work or school), all you need is their username and password to get their IP address. Simply log in as that person and do a whois lookup on them using a website like whoisipaddress.com or whoisipaddressfree.com. Both sites will provide the person’s full name and their current location along with their ISP information, including their internet provider name and physical location based on the ISP’s data center locations.
2. Using Online Tools
There are several online tools available that can help you find someone’s IP address. One popular tool is IP-Lookup.net. This tool allows you to enter a website or an email address, and it will return the IP address associated with it.
Another tool is WhatIsMyIP.com. This tool allows you to find your own IP address and the IP address of any website you visit.
3. Using Email Headers
Another way to find someone’s IP address is by looking at the email headers they sent you. The IP address is usually included in the headers, along with other information about the email.
To view an email’s headers, open the email in question. Next, click on the three dots in the top right corner of the email and select “Show Original.” This will open a new window with the headers of the email.
In the headers, look for the “Received” field. The IP address will be listed next to the word “by,” preceded by the word “from.”
4. Using Social Media
Many social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, allow you to view the IP address of the person you’re communicating with. To find the IP address of someone on Facebook, for example, click on the three dots in the top right corner of the chat window and select “View Profile.” This will take you to the person’s profile, where you can find their IP address in the “About” section.
5. Using Network Scanning Tools
Network scanning tools, such as Nmap, allow you to scan a network for connected devices and find the associated IP addresses. These tools are typically used by network administrators to keep track of the devices connected to their network.
6. Hire a Private Investigator
If you’re trying to find out someone’s IP address and you don’t have any other resources available, hiring a private investigator might be your best bet.
Private investigators can help you get the information you need. They can use their expertise to track down people’s addresses, phone numbers, and employment history.
If the person you’re looking for has been hiding from you, they may have used an alias or another person’s identity. A private investigator can look into this possibility and provide you with the results of their research.
The cost of hiring a private investigator varies depending on where you live and how much time they spend working on your case, but it should be relatively inexpensive compared to hiring a lawyer or filing suit against someone in court.
In conclusion, finding someone’s IP address can be useful in a variety of situations, whether it be for tracking down the source of online harassment or for troubleshooting technical issues. With the right knowledge and tools, finding someone’s IP address is possible. However, it’s important to note that finding someone’s IP address without their consent can be considered an invasion of privacy and can result in legal action being taken against you.
