How to Find Someones IP Address on Instagram

By Gloria Todisco, January 17, 2019

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned that identifies each device connected to a computer network. The internet is an intricate part of our daily life and an extension of our physical world. We sometimes forget that our online existence predisposes our online identity or in other words our IP address. When we post on Facebook, Twitter, do banking transactions, shop, etc.; it all becomes part of our permanent record. You are never really anonymous online.

Why Would You Want to Find Someone’s IP Address?

There are many reasons and answers to this question. If you are being harassed, someone has committed fraud against you, or you are experiencing any other type of malicious behavior against you. Sometimes advertisers and service websites grab your IP address if you’re are visiting their site or clicking on their ads.

On the other hand, the scam artist may be looking for your address to commit the acts above against you. Once you have someone’s IP address, you can access various personal and private information about the user and build a profile of your interests and activities gaining such knowledge as their location, name banking information as well as credit card numbers, etc. The fact is that anyone with a little knows how can view, find and capture your IP address, all without your knowledge or permission.

Ways Someone May Access Your IP Address

Tapping into Your Wireless Network

If your network is not secure, a stranger can tap into your wireless network and will know your IP address.

They Take It from Your Email

Most internet/emails providers no longer include the IP address of someone sending an email for this specific reason, but some less sophisticated internet providers or if someone sets up their email server, might still reveal the IP address.

Through an Email HTML Bug

The bug is not a virus but merely a piece of code embedded in an image that is included with the email you read. Just by opening the email, the bug tells the sender you read the email and provides your IP address.

From Web Server Logs

Every time you visit a website, you leave your IP address. It is your digital pass to connect online. A site can scour their Web server to review all the IP addresses that have visited.

Through Social Media

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat do not read IP addresses between users, but the site administrators do certainly know your IP address.

From Messaging Apps

Your mobile phone uses an IP address every time you engage someone through a messaging app. Messaging is an app that is multiplying. Your IP address is invisible to the person you message, but if you click on a link in a message, the website you sent to, now has access to your IP address.

Your Work Email

The email header in your office’s email could reveal your IP address, and it can easily be used to find your location.

Court Order

Interestingly, in 2016 a new law went into effect, Rule 41, gives the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, much more leeway while investigating the online activity. The request for subpoenas to get IP addresses is much easier now.

In a nutshell, you are fighting a losing battle when it comes to preventing someone from capturing your public IP address. It is not that people can use your IP address, but by knowing your address, they can track you, block you or target you. There are ways to protect your IP address such as by using a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, which is a fee-based online service that masses your actual IP address and routes you through another network with a different IP address. Again, this works both ways for the good guys and the scam artists.

In this internet world, we live in; there will always be risks and consequences of our online activity. If you feel that someone is looking over your shoulder and that your IP address is in jeopardy, contact Social Catfish to utilize their skills and resources to assist you in your IP address concerns. As always, use caution and think about your actions when using the internet. Happy and safe surfing!