How to Verify an ISP Address

You know your ISP is somewhere on the planet. Narrow its location down using the Internet.

Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs), such as EarthLink and Time Warner, are large, well-known corporations. Others are smaller mom-and-pop operations run from offices. Determining the real identity of an Internet service provider ensures that you are dealing with an established business located in a definite location that can be recognized. Use an ISP's IP number to track down its address and other important contact information.

Instructions

1. Visit one of the domain name lookup websites and enter the ISPs IP address or domain name in the search box. For example, if the ISP's URL is http://www.great_isp.com, enter great_isp.com.

2. Press the "Search" button. Different ISPs may have a different name for this button. The website will look up the ISP and display a page containing information about the ISP. This information comes from the centralized database. Every website has information in this database.

3. Locate the address label listed in the information page. You may also see the ISPs city, state, postal code and country.

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes a website owner will make their contact information private. If an ISP exercises this option, you will not see their address or contact information on the information page.

References

• PC Mech: Does the Mom N' Pop ISP Still Exist?
• Verio: Making Your Whois Information Private

Resources

• Arin: WHOIS Database Search
• Better-Whois: The Whois Domain Search That Works With All Registrars.
• who.is: WHOIS