accuracy of IP addresses

how accurate, down to the meter, are IPs in the UK?

[greenleaves]

Hi,

I have an issue with someone login into a site from 4 different IPs. I believe it is the same person.

When I look up the IPs, all 4 show to be from 4 places right next to each other (using a satellite tracking program, it looks like from 4 different parts of one parking lot in Manchester). I have reason to believe it is the same person.

However, this is a very serious issue, and I can't jump to conclusions without being 99.999999% sure.

So my question is; how accurate are IP logs in the UK? Could these people be from other parts of Manchester? Could they be from other places than Manchester?

From what I can recall, in the US, there are laws that force ISPs to provide accurate IPs (to a certain degree). I know that in other countries, IPs can be very inaccurate. Is it similar in the UK?

Thanks in advance.

[jdMorgan]

IP addresses resolve only to the ISP to which they are delegated. After that, you need an attorney or law enforcement agency to issue a subpoena to get access to their records of who was assigned that address at the time(s) in question; These records are not public. In cases such as IP address ranges assigned to free wireless hotspots or internet cafes which do not keep accurate records, the IP addresses could have been used by anyone.

I'm not sure how this satellite tracker you describe is supposed to work, but if it does work, either that parking lot is adjacent to the ISP, or perhaps it is adjacent to space leased by the ISP, in which they house equipment.

If this is a "serious issue" then perhaps it is time to bring your information to the local constabulary...

Jim

[wheel]

IP's are not static to the end computer (or they don't have to be). I could be surfing using an IP, then logoff. My ISP then assigns that IP to someone else 50 miles away, and I get a new IP. My location didn't change, but my IP did. And my original IP is now being used by someone else entirely, a long ways away.

As already noted, you can only tell publicly (in most cases) who 'owns' the IP address, basically the ISP. After that also as noted, you'd need some sort of law behind you to get the exact assignment out of the ISP.

I suspect your satellite tracking is next to useless as an indicator. Do some Googling on 'reverse IP lookup' to find out who owns the IP's. That'll at least tell you what ISP owns them, and if they're all owned by the same company (and thus, possibly used by the same person).

the only way you'll know for sure though, is by getting the info from the ISP.

[piatkow]

Between sessions the dynamic IPs that I get allocated do not even show as being in the same town. My ISP has veriously connected me through Milton Keynes, Aylesbury and once even through Southampton.

Even the country need not be accurate. I have worked for a multinational which connected its private network to the net through a single, overseas, location.

[trillianjedi]

Not accurate enough for you, but the law enforcement agencies have the ability to get a name and address if you have kept accurate date/time etc records. ISP's in the UK are regulated and have to have something (usually a phone number). Pay as you Go mobile broadband causes a bit of a problem here however.

Combining IP address with other elements (such as browser user-agent) may help clarify things in your own mind, if your gut instinct is already telling you it's the same person.

[cornwall]

I agree with what has been said about dynamic IPs

It appears that the person you want is at a fixed point - your parking lot in Manchester or where ever.

They have logged in a number of times and had a different IP assigned. But the IP number leads you, as has been pointed out, to the ISP.

If it is the same ISP, then that tells you a little. You could contact them to resolve the issue, or at least try.

However, even if you pinpointed the location, you would not have enough evidence to say with certainly whether person A or Person B was actually using the computer. It would not stand up in court, the person would just swear that50 other people could have used their computer.

[piatkow]

I would guess that the location is related to the ISP not to the point of access. Its probably their office car park that the OP is finding.

[greenleaves]

thank you all, you have been very helpful.

It isn't a matter I would like to bring up to law enforcement, but I just need enought info to work on and act on.

I'll get on to find out the ISP + useragent. This should be enought :)

THanks