IP Monitoring Information
Computers, printers and other devices possess numeric identifiers known as IP addresses. Devices on the same local area network may share the same IP address as the router or other network device assigns the number.
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Background
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Devices that connect to networks such as the Internet possess an identifier known as an IP address. This address consists of four numbers of one to three characters each, separated by a period. IP addresses can give insight into some of the user's identifying information when a WHOIS search is performed. When these devices connect to networks, they display their IP address to the receiving computers.
Purposes
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In small home and business networks, the administrator may rely on the router (or switch or hub) hardware and software to monitor IP addresses of connected devices. The administrator can specify to allow or deny device access by IP address. Websites and services may monitor IP address connections to track users and collect data such as the user's location or Internet service provider and to monitor activity.
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Warning
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Websites and programs that monitor IP addresses and detect illegal or unallowable activity from users possessing those addresses can ban users by using their IP addresses. However, users can bypass IP blocking by using proxy websites and programs. Furthermore, blocking an IP range as an easy method to block unwanted behavior might inadvertently block legitimate users.
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