Getting an IP address

Getting an IP address
By Halla

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How to get an IP is a very common question. While there are many ways, I’ll cover only a few.
To get the IP address of a target computer you have to have a direct connection with the computer you are targeting.
(This does not mean that it has to be a current connection. I’ll get to that in the end)

Note: the following method may no longer be applicable in a chat environment:
To establish a direct connection to your target, the computers must be sharing files if you are using a chat program like AOL or Yahoo, as the chat is being proxied. (the IP is for the chat server not the user) So basiclly, if you are sending a file to the target, or receiving a file from the target, the IP address will be displayed as long as the connection lasts.

Ok, so where is this IP address?
Well the way to get it (I am assuming you are using Windows) is to open the command prompt (also known as DOS) which is usually located under start/programs/command prompt.. or simply start > run > cmd

You can see all the IPs that your computer is communicating with by typing one of the following:
netstat
nbtstat -c
net user (NT only)
net use/config/time/view
arp -a
netstat -n
netstat (this will resolve the IPs before listing them)
netstat -an (more detailed information)

If you are having trouble (the prompt flickers) then try going to Run and typing “command” or “cmd” (without the quotes) to open up ms-dos prompt, then proceed as normal.

you should use the winipcfg command if you have Win 95/98 to see what YOUR IP address is first. Use the command ipconfig if you’re using Win2000.
(Just for the record, ipconfig/all will give you just about all the info on the computer you’re using you need. Remember that in the future)

If that DOS stuff is confusing you, or you have too many connections open to be able to properly monitor them, try using tcpview. It’s a freeware program for windows that basiclly runs a constant netstat type of thing. It can be quite useful, you can get it here:

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/source/tcpview.shtml

Ok, remember I said the direct connection didn’t have to be current? Well there are other ways to get an IP address. Some things leave an IP like a “footprint in the sand.” This way, you know they were there, and who they were. Most websites do that. Even if the informmation is not used, it is available. You can record a visitors IP address, OS, browser and version, screen resolution, etc etc. Almost any host will provide you with that, if not, almost any counter will.

Thus, we apply this to the chat program scenario I mentioned above that I also mentioned may not work anymore… This does.
If you have access to a web server of any kind with a counter or log (many hosts come with one installed, like awstats or webalizer) you can simply IM the target and get them to click a link or view a picture thats hosted on your server. Taking for granted this page or pic or other file you linked them to isnt otherwise available to the general public on your server, the one person (or one IP) that accessed (viewed) it will be your target.

Another way to get an IP address is through email. Whenever someone emails you, the IP address of the sender is located in the headers.

I figured I’d do a step by step as well.

Consider this section 2:
How to get an IP address from email using headers:

Headers are in every email message. They are there to tell you where the message came/is coming from…Remember I said you needed a connection? Well, if something has made it to your PC from somewhere else, it has connected. You can get the IP address of the sender of an email by viewing the headers.

HOTMAIL
You can view the headers in your emails in a hotmail account by doing the following:
1. Access your mailbox
2. On the top right of the screen you’ll see “Options | Help” select “Options”
3. Select “Mail Display Settings”
4. Adjust header display information on this screen. Full seems to display the IP addresses, and advanced shows the complete MIME headers (resolved info)

YAHOO
You can view the headers in your emails in a yahoo account by doing the following:
1. Access your mailbox
2. On the top right above the storage bar meter, click on “Mail Options”
3. In the “Personalization” section, click on “General Preferences”
4. Under “headers” select “Show all headers on incoming messages”

Outlook
You can view the headers in your emails in Outlook by doing the following:
1. Open up email
2. Click “view” on the toolbar
3. Select “Options”
The headers will be displayed on the bottom of the window.

I didn’t cover any other types of mail, because there are so many and this post would go on forever. Also, the ones I did cover are free and web-based (with the exception of Outlook) so you should have no problem getting an account

Segnala presso:

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 20th, 2008 at 4:50 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.