Other tools, such as Maxmind, would help find out the physical location of a particular IP address, he said.

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To join up data points into a context, common identities are required (for example, a web page view can be given a geographical location by joining up the IP address of the page request with that from the IP address in an IP intelligence database).

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Once plugged into a computer, the device sends out a signal pinpointing its location and the thief's IP address.

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An IP address can be an important clue as to the location of an Internet-connected computer but can easily be manipulated by hackers operating anywhere in the world.

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Some embedded video and audio is only available in the UK. However, it may be that your network provider has allocated you an IP address outside the UK. You can check your connection location at www.speedtest.net .

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Amazon, for example, utilizes an IP address locator, to check to see whether the computer someone is using to make a purchase is in a location that makes sense for that credit card holder, says Brady.

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