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Old 10-08-2013, 01:06 PM
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These maps are usually generated from looking up locations for IP addresses. The IP address for a connection may or may not correspond with the physical location of the person logging in. Most residential internet service providers (ISPs) will report IP addresses reasonably close to the person logging in, unless they take additional steps to protect the privacy of their IP address. One easy to do that is to use TorBrowser, which bounces your access path all around the globe and can report an IP address from many different countries. Other approaches use virtual private networks (VPNs) and/or proxies. In addition, many public access sites (MacDonalds and Starbucks, for example) route the access through a small number of hubs, so the location inferred from the IP address is the location of the hub, not the endpoint. Many corporate and government networks access the broader internet through a firewall, and the IP address is more likely to reveal the location of the firewall than the location of the end user.

Accurately determining the physical location of a computer connection can be challenging, especially if adequate security and privacy protections are in place. Do a google search for "how to keep your ip address private" for more info.
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