IP Tracker

IP Tracker is a completely free-to-use online tool that can help provide geographical location details for an Internet Protocol (IP) address.  It supports Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) addressing formats and can plot the approximate location of the address on a digital map.

The tool looks up the location of an IP address by utilizing a database that is frequently and meticulously updated from time to time. It is important to note that an IP address is never physically bound to a location. Like other IP geolocation services, even if the database is frequently updated, the location of the address may not be completely accurate and is only an approximate one. Only an Internet Service Provider (ISP) knows the exact location of its subscribers.

When browsing the page for the first time, the tool will detect your public Internet Protocol (IP) address and will automatically query its geolocation details. To perform a query for another IP, type the desired Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4), Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), or Fully Qualified Domain Name (e.g., nstoolkit.com) in the provided textbox, then click or press the "Track" Button. 

Every device connected to the internet or through a local network has a unique numerical identity known as an Internet Protocol (IP) address. This protocol defines the policy on how devices communicate over a network. Just like a home address, it is used to digitally locate a device within a network to allow it to communicate with each other and relay information and services.

Two (2) Commonly Used Versions of IP Address

There are two (2) common versions of IP Address; IPv4 and IPv6. These versions have a set of characteristics unique from each other.

Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4)

This version was standardized on 1982 by the United States Department of Defense. It is an addressing system that uses a 32-bit address scheme subdivided in 4 portions (called octets) allowing use of 2^32 addresses (4,294,967,296 addresses). Although the protocol is old, it is still being widely used world-wide.

e.g.: 10.0.0.1, 172.16.0.1, 192.168.1.1

Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)

This version is the successor of IPv4. The version 5 was skipped as it still uses the 32-bit scheme which does not resolve the current IPv4 problem, address scarcity. IPv6 uses a 128-bit address scheme subdivided in 16 portions (called hextets) allowing use of 2^128 address (340,282,366,920,938,463,463,374,607,431,768,211,456). The number of usable addresses in the version is an upgrade as compared to its predecessor which has resolved scarcity issue.

e.g.: 2001:db8:3333:4444:5555:6666:7777:8888, 2001:db8::, ::1234:5678

A Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) is a complete address of a server or host exposed on the internet. Every domain name is converted to an IP address by the help of a Domain Name System (DNS) to point to an exact location of a resource such as a web page.

e.g.: www.nstoolkit.com

www	Subdomain
nstoolkit	Domain name
com	Top Level Domain (TLD)

In the current digital era of commerce where everything has to be personalized, IP geolocation plays a big role.  It allows systems and marketers to track user activities to provide them with better contents and offers, in turn leading to better satisfaction.

In network security, it helps enrich information about an IP address to allow geofencing, which can make systems accessible only in specific locations as needed. Due to these virtual boundaries, geofencing, in some manner, helps in preventing the risk of cyberattacks.