Your IP address is one of the most important parts of your online identity, but how much does it change when you’re in a different location? Whether you’re worried about security or you simply want to know what employers might see if you log on from another state when you’re supposed to be at home, this is the full information you need to know about your IP address and where you are.
Does This Information Change If I’m in a Different Area?
This information can and will change if you’re in a different area. Whether you’re switching to an other internet service provider or going one state over, it will read as a new IP address. In fact, even if you don’t go anywhere, your IP address will change.
If you go to a new area, your IP address will state where the closest server is to you and what provider you’re going through. Although this can seem minimal, it has caused a lot of trouble for employees in recent years, especially if they’re being dishonest about where they live.
How Can You Protect Your IP Address?
If you’ve done an IP address lookup and realized how much it knows about you: don’t panic! The best thing you can do is work to protect your IP address. To do this, avoid clicking on suspicious links, stay away from any websites that don’t seem secure, and be aware of who you’re talking to and when.
Over time it’ll become second nature, but if you’re still unsure, you can get a VPN service. This will protect your IP regardless of where you are as long as you’re subscribed to the service.
What Can People Do if You’re Not Careful?
If you’re not careful, people can use your IP address to be able to tell where you are and who your internet provider is. Although the location is vague, usually a city, and sometimes not even the correct city depending on where the servers are, it can still give away your general area.
If you want people to think you’re in North Carolina, but you’re in Georgia, this could be a huge issue.
Can You Change Your IP to a Specific City?
If you’re nervous about showing up in your hometown when you’re not there, you’re not alone. Many who started working from home during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic found themselves having to move to more affordable areas to be able to live comfortably and received a rude awakening when their offices started location tracking.
If this sounds like your problem, you can use a proxy service or a virtual private network service to change your location. Unfortunately, this won’t save you if they ask you to start coming into the office, but it can make you appear online!
There’s Nothing Like Staying Secure!
Staying secure is one of the most important things you can do. If you’re unsure about your IP address and the information held behind it, take the time to up your security and be safe!