There are also free geolocation services available, but the paid services tend to provide location services that are more accurate at zeroing in on a ZIP code level, for instance.Īll domain names are subject to MYNIC's Registration Rules and Agreement for the Registration of Domain Name. Geolocation services have access to a number of databases (different kinds) that give them the information needed to locate someone online through their IP address. A primary source for IP address data is the Regional Internet Registries. These are large, official organizations responsible for managing and distributing IP addresses in specific regions of the world. The RIR for North America is called the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN). To further zero in, geolocation services use other sources to try to find the location of your IP address. In the same way, gold diggers mine for gold, geolocation services mine for data by digging for more information until they reach their objective…your neighborhood.Ī service might probe data sources where your IP address has shown up before. (That’s why you get such instant and accurate weather data with a simple query.) For example, if you went to an online weather site and typed in your city or ZIP code, that information was linked to your IP address because you made the request online in real-time. Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) also may contribute information to databases that are helpful to geolocation services. The services might use statistical formulas and other sophisticated analytical tools and analyze the data submitted by us in our specific online activities. Here’s how IP2Location, a geolocation provider, describes its product in a sales pitch: This helps them fine-tune their search and improve their service to subscribers. “IP2LocationTM is a non-intrusive geo IP solution to help you to identify visitor’s geographical location, i.e. Geolocation services weren’t and aren’t designed to be harmful.Ĭountry, region, city, latitude, longitude, ZIP code, time zone, connection speed, ISP, domain name, IDD country code, area code, weather station code and name, mobile carrier, elevation and usage type information using a proprietary IP address lookup database and technology without invading the Internet user’s privacy. In fact, in many ways, they’re highly beneficial for many of the industries and organizations that use them. The services are used in legitimate and important business practices in a variety of industries, including banking, telecommunications, travel, hospitality, entertainment, and law enforcement. Banks themselves prevent “phishing” attacks, money laundering, and other security breaches by determining the user’s location as part of the authentication process. Law enforcement will use the service to track online financial transactions to prevent money laundering. Investigative agencies will use geolocation to monitor online trafficking with suspected terrorist organizations, or online trading with banned nations. Geolocation services protect banks from transferring funds for illicit purposes. IP address geolocation is also used in online fraud detection. Companies that sell merchandise online, credit card providers, and companies that handle online payments use geolocation to prevent fraudulent transactions. Here’s how:Ī customer puts in an order for valuable items. As the transaction is being processed, a company will compare the billing address, where the merchandise is to be sent, to the location of the IP address of the online customer.
0 kommentar(er)
