How to Trace an IP to a Computer

When an email is sent and you do not know the sender, you are able to find his location by tracking the IP address of the message. Once the IP address is known, an online service will need to be used to find out where the IP address is located and to identify the Internet service provider. However, you will first need to find the IP address of the email by viewing the source or header information of the message.

Instructions

Microsoft Outlook

1. Double-click the email message that is in your inbox. This will open the message in a new window.

2. Click the "View" drop-down and select "Options." This will open a small window.

3. Scroll to the bottom of the window to find the "Internet headers" section. Locate the last "Received:" line and make a note of the IP address that is to the right.

Mozilla ThunderBird

1. Double-click the email message in your inbox. This will open the message in a new tab.

2. Click the "Other Actions" button that is on the right side of the page under the time. This will display an options menu.

3. Click the option for "view source." This will open the source file for the message.

4. Locate the last "Received:" line and make a note of the IP address that is on the right.

IP2Location

1. Go to the IP2Location website (see Resources) and enter the IP address into the "IP Address(es):" text box.

2. Click the "Submit" button and wait while the location information is being tracked. The results will display the state, city and ISP that assigned the IP address.

3. Click the "Map It" button to see a satellite map of where the city is located.

Perform WHOIS Search

1. Go to the Whois website (see Resources) and enter the IP address into "Whois" text box.

2. Click the "Whois Search" button.

3. Scroll through the results that are displayed on the screen. Make a note of the support phone number for the ISP.

Tips & Warnings

• Tracking an IP address will only get you to the city for the Internet Service Provider.

References

• Online Tech Tips: How to Track the Original Location of an Email Via its IP Address

Resources

• IP2Location: Demo
• Whois: Lookup
• GeoBytes: IP Address Locator Tool