How to Detect IP Addresses

Track cyberbullies' IP addresses through emails and instant messages.

Any computer can detect IP addresses without any special software or tools installed. Windows comes with a tool called Netstat that allows you to see the IP addresses of any sites, servers and chat clients connected to your computer. You can also use certain settings to see the IP addresses of emails you receive. There is also a pre-installed Microsoft tool called Ipconfig that lets you see your own computer's current IP settings.

Instructions

Detect IP Address in Outlook

1. Open Microsoft Outlook. Open the email for which you want to know the IP address.

2. Click the "Message" tab and the "Options" menu. Click the "Dialog Box Launcher."

3. Scroll through the Message Options box to the Internet headers to find the IP address. The IP address is in a form like "80.7.xxx.xxx" or "213.104.xxx.xxx: (without quote marks).

Detect IP Address in an Instant Message

1. Open your chat client or the Web page that you use to chat. Close any other programs you have running so you only get output from the chat client.

2. Double-click on the contact whose IP address you want to know and open a chat window. You do not have to chat with the person.

3. Open the MS-DOS terminal by clicking the "Start" button, "All Programs," "Accessories" and "Command Prompt." Enter "netstat -a" in the terminal and watch the output.

4. Scroll through the output and find the IP address. It is probably in a form that looks something like "10.13.xxx.xxx" or "192.168.xxx.xxx" (without quote marks).

Detect the IP Address on Your Own Computer

1. Click the "Start" button and click "All Programs." Hover over the "Accessories" submenu and click "Command Prompt."

2. Enter "ipconfig" in the command prompt window, without the quotation marks.

3. Locate the "IP Address" line on the output from the command. Depending on whether your Internet service provider and your router assign static or dynamic IP addresses and what type of modem you have, your IP address may change each time you turn on your computer or log on to the Internet.

References

• Windows: Command Prompt: Frequently Asked Questions
• Microsoft Office: View Email Message Headers
• Microsoft: Netstat
• Indiana University University Information Technology Services: How do I Determine My Computer's IP Address?