Ip addresses

[lauchlin]

I am all way checking IP's not sure if any one else Does i use this program https://scamalytics.com seems good like to know if there is something better ...... Here is a IP to try 94.25.225.88

[Dukemeister]

I usually have a VPN running on my computer, but I don't know what good it does. Often I get something telling me I logged in somewhere else than where I am, I assume it's because the VPN is giving a masked IP address, but just as often I get a message that I'm logged in right where I am so obviously the so called "mask" is not really working. It's a mystery to me. Often I just turn the VPN off because it slows down webpages or prevents connection completely. So the main question is, can you tell if the IP address is real or masked and can you find the actual IP address?

[Ace]

wow that's pretty crazy
the second from the top shows Kingston

[lauchlin]

I have never seen that IP before it shows as a spam bot from Russia on this forum

[Daryl]

My VPN said it assigns a phony IP address and then has that marked as "hidden".
Currently, it says my IP is: 205.185.223.18 and that it is hidden.
I was using Express VPN, but that one seemed to slow down my computer. Since I uninstalled that one and went with Bitdefender's VPN
that comes with the antiviral program, my computer has stopped acting up. I do not use a Canadian 'location'.

[lauchlin]

it tells me your in Calgary with shaw

[Daryl]

That is the same thing as last time, with Express VPN. This time with Bitdefender.

[Ace]

this is what I'm getting for Daryl

[jckstrthmghty]

I have never seen that IP before it shows as a spam bot from Russia on this forum

Low reputation, Russian.

[Daryl]

Thanks Ace.
That's weird. One comes back Calgary, the next right here in PG.
Did you check this IP number? 205.185.223.18
Today, it shows as 205.185.223.29

[Ace]

Daryl this is the IP for the post you just replied above ^^^^
24.70.90.73 and it comes up the same as before
Country:Canada
State/Region:British Columbia
City:Prince George

205.185.223.18 and 205.185.223.29 both shows as
Country:United States
State/Region:Washington
City:Seattle

you have all these popping up

[Daryl]

I guess I don't understand the VPN - lies or useful?
If they always showed Seattle or somewhere else, that would be fine.
In order to see some sites, like True North News, I have to shut the VPN down. Weird. It always worked with Express.

[Ace]

that is strange

[Dukemeister]

Nowadays you can't be sure of anything on the internet. Not being paranoid or "tin foil hat" conspirator, but realistically this post could be made by a hacker or bot as a spoof. Is the poster Dukemeister (what your eyes and brain think they see) or is it actually by a spoofer "Dukemiester" spoofing an IP address in my hometown? The tool lauchlin posted originally allows you to check the IP address to see where the post originated, but the spoofer could be using a VPN to mask their location. If it comes up dubious then you have at least a datapoint saying the post is potentially spoof/spam/phish and other nasties. But it could look legit if the spoofer is using a VPN.So a seeming pass is not a 100% pass on the IP location.
Your computer is of course a complex system of hardware and software and operating systems etc working with other hardware and software on an extremely complex network. I have been curious for a long time what was up with the location identification with the VPN and IP addresses so I dug into it. One basic thing I found out is that your browser and other apps that have geolocation permissions turned on will report your actual location regardless of whether you are running a VPN. So if you want to be anonymous you have to turn off all location ID services everywhere, and even then I don't know how to do that. If you are connected to internet on a smart phone then probably your location is always tracked vial cell network not to mention browsers, google maps, waze and all the other apps you have installed.
TLDR: VPN by itself is no guarantee you are anonymous and anyone can Fake an IP address.
https://www.ivpn.net/knowledgebase/trou ... eolocation

[Daryl]

Now that is weird sounding. Every day, my phone tells me to "turn on your location for a better experience".
I have the location turned off and I also use a different VPN on it as well.