Who Owns an IP Address: Lookup Tools and Everything You Need to Know

Cindy Ellis - March 10, 2023

IP addresses are used to identify the owner of a computer or device that’s communicating with an internet protocol network. Simply put, IP addresses identify the user of a computer. They are useful for several reasons, and knowing how to find someone with their IP address is one of the best ways to find information about someone.

That said, finding someone with their IP address is easier said than done. Additionally, it’s not always easy to find someone’s IP address if you don’t know where to look. Thankfully, when you need to know who owns an IP address, lookup tools like Information.com are here to help, along with everything you need to know about IP addresses and how to look them up.

Read on to learn everything you need to know below.

What Is an IP Address?

“IP address” stands for internet protocol address. An IP address is used to identify users on a network. IP addresses are assigned to every device that uses a network. Therefore, desktops, smartphones, laptops, and other devices that connect to the internet will have an IP address. In fact, even small electronic devices for children that are used for playing or learning may have an IP address. For these reasons, knowing what an IP address is and how it works gives you a leg-up when you’re looking for an internet user.

It’s also important to note that IP addresses are unique. Two devices won’t share the same IP address because it’s used to determine a device’s identity. IP addresses can sometimes be hidden, but it depends on if someone is using a VPN service.

What Does an IP Address Look Like?

IP addresses are broken down into a few categories. The common IP addresses you’ll come across are 32-bit addresses (IPv4) and 128-bit addresses (IPv6). IPv6 addresses are newer than 32-bit addresses and came into existence because all of the IPv4 addresses are in use. That said, an IP address looks like a string of numbers and periods. The range of numbers is between 0 and 225. An example of an IP address may be 100.110.110.100.

How Are IP Addresses Assigned?

IP addresses are assigned by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). The IANA is a division of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names (ICANN). ICANN has been around since 1998 and manages the internet. Aside from assigning and monitoring IP addresses, the company also protects users on the internet and provides regulations to keep it safe.

How Do IP Addresses Work?

IP addresses may be more complicated than someone’s physical address, but they’re still simple. Like everything else on the internet, IP addresses work by sharing information. There are set guidelines that help computers speak the same language, which speeds up the process. Think of it as two people conversing with the English language; there are set guidelines to the language, which helps both people understand. IP addresses have similar guidelines.

An IP address works in a few ways, so we’ll take you through some of the steps that IP addresses go through to function properly.

1. Initially, devices connect to a network that’s connected to the internet. This may be your internet service provider (ISP) at home or when you’re at work.
2. Then, an IP address is assigned to the device you’re using by your ISP.
3. Whatever you do on the internet goes through your ISP. Then, it’s routed back to your device via the IP address that’s assigned.
4. IP addresses can change when turning your WiFi off at home or work. Once you turn it back on, the address may be different.
5. When you leave your home for work or travel, places like coffee shops, hotels, and mobile networks will assign a temporary IP address. These addresses are assigned by the ISP of the place you’re visiting.

These are a few things to consider when learning more about IP addresses and how they work.

What Are the Types of IP Addresses?

There are several types of IP addresses, and knowing the difference can help you identify someone. The two common addresses are consumer IP addresses and website IP addresses. There are also some subcategories within these IP address groupings.

Consumer IP Addresses

Consumer IP addresses are the most common IP addresses you’ll find. They’re provided by internet service providers and can be public or private. Private IP addresses are the devices that connect to your home network. This may include your laptop, phone, desktop, and even things like a smart refrigerator.

Public IP addresses, on the other hand, are assigned to your devices when you leave the network—for example, searching the internet in a coffee shop. There are two types of public IP addresses, and these are static and dynamic IP addresses. Dynamic IP addresses change, and static IP addresses remain the same.

Website IP Addresses

Website IP addresses are assigned to webmasters who don’t own their servers. These addresses are assigned by web hosting providers. A website IP address can be shared or dedicated depending on what the website owner wants to do.

Shared IP addresses are for many websites that are shared on the same server. Dedicated IP addresses are more expensive but offer several benefits. Examples include file transfer protocol (FTP), which is perfect for businesses that want to share data within a company. Dedicated IP addresses also allow users to visit their websites before hosting.

How to Lookup Someone’s IP Address

IP addresses are a great way to learn more about someone. With an IP address, you can learn their identity, name, the devices they use, and much more. When you’re trying to find out who owns an IP address, lookup tools online are the most helpful, and we’ll show you how to use them. Remember, first, you’ll have to find the IP address.

How to Find Your IP Address

Finding your own IP address may seem like a complex process, but it’s quite straightforward. To find the IP address of your device, you can simply enter “What is my IP address” into the Google search bar. From there, Google will display your IP address at the top of the page. You can also find your private IP address by going to your device’s settings and looking for connections or WiFi.

How to Find Someone Else’s IP Address

Finding someone else’s IP address is a bit more challenging than finding your own. However, there are some simple ways. The best method is to check an email if you have one from the person. If you have their email, check the full header, and it will display their IP address. This is possible with Outlook, Gmail, AOL, and other mail providers.

It’s also possible to find someone’s IP address when you use a command prompt with Windows. To open a command prompt, find “Start,” then click “CMD.” From there, type “Ping,” followed by the website name. Domain tools like GoDaddy and Register.com help you find an IP address for websites.

How to Learn About Someone When You Have Their IP Address

Someone’s IP address can reveal a lot of information when you have the right tools at your disposal. To learn the most, you’ll need a tool like whatismyipaddress.com and Information.com’s public records search tool.

First, use whatismyipadress.com to find the general location of an IP address. Then, enter the information you find into Information.com’s reverse email, address, or phone number tool. From there, find the person you’re looking for and open a full report to learn everything you need to know.

IP Address Security Risks

IP addresses have several security risks you need to be aware of. These security risks put you at risk of hacking, lost money, and stolen identity. Fortunately, VPNs and other internet protection services are available to protect your IP address.

Stalking

Stalking online activity is possible when you have someone’s IP address. Someone who has an IP address can enter it into a website like whatismyipadress.com, which will reveal someone’s location (a general area). From there, they can use other public records about you to find your physical address, phone number, and other information.

Using Your IP Address for Illegal Content

People can hijack an IP address and download data with it. In these cases, hackers will use your IP address to download illegal things like movies or songs. Instead of them getting in trouble, your internet service provider will look at you. In these cases, you may attract the attention of law enforcement and other agencies, especially if someone downloads illicit pornography.

Network Attacks and Hacking Into Your Device

Hackers also have some tricks up their sleeves when they know your IP address. For example, hackers can flood your network with a DDoS attack, which floods your network with traffic that it can’t handle. Also, hackers can breach your devices and steal information like your personal identity, banking information, and more.

Find Someone’s IP Address Today With Information.com

When you have someone’s IP address, you can learn a lot about them. Some things you may learn include the devices they use, when they use the internet, and much more. You can even use an email’s IP address to identify who sent you the email. Therefore, knowing how to find someone’s IP address is an important tool for modern Internet use.

While learning someone’s IP address will reveal a lot of information, it doesn’t reveal everything. For this reason, when you’re finding out who owns an IP address, lookup tools like Information.com are our top recommendation.