How do you explain IP addresses?

Question

I have a pending cyberstalking case with screenshots of the IP address from the stalker. They will lie and claim it's not them.

How can I explain IP addresses to the judge?

Answer 1

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique address that certain electronic devices use in order to identify and communicate with each other on a computer network utilizing the Internet Protocol standard (IP)—in simpler terms, a computer address. Any participating network device—including routers, computers, time-servers, printers, Internet fax machines, and some telephones—can have their own unique address.

An IP address can also be thought of as the equivalent of a street address or a phone number (compare: VoIP (voice over (the) internet protocol)) for a computer or other network device on the Internet. Just as each street address and phone number uniquely identifies a building or telephone, an IP address can uniquely identify a specific computer or other network device on a network. An IP address differs from other contact information, however, because the linkage of a user's IP address to his/her name is not publicly available information.

IP addresses can appear to be shared by multiple client devices either because they are part of a shared hosting web server environment or because a network address translator (NAT) or proxy server acts as an intermediary agent on behalf of its customers, in which case the real originating IP addresses might be hidden from the server receiving a request. A common practice is to have a NAT hide a large number of IP addresses, in the private address space defined by RFC 1918, an address block that cannot be routed on the public Internet. Only the "outside" interface(s) of the NAT need to have Internet-routable addresses.

Most commonly, the NAT device maps TCP or UDP port numbers on the outside to individual private addresses on the inside. Just as there may be site-specific extensions on a telephone number, the port numbers are site-specific extensions to an IP address.

IP addresses are managed and created by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). The IANA generally allocates super-blocks to Regional Internet Registries, who in turn allocate smaller blocks to Internet service providers and enterprises.

Answer 2

An IP address refers to a unique number assigned to each computer on the Internet. The IP number is called an "address" because it serves the same purpose as a home address -- it allows each machine on the Internet to be located by a numerical scheme An IP address has two parts: the identifier of a particular network on the Internet and an identifier of the particular device (which can be a server or a workstation) within that network. On the Internet itself - that is, between the router that move packets from one point to another along the route - only the network part of the address is looked at. There are 4 ip address classes Class A addresses are for large networks with many devices. Class B addresses are for medium-sized networks. Class C addresses are for small networks (fewer than 256 devices). Class D addresses are multicast addresses.

Answer 3

If you wish to explain an IP to a judge, you will need to keep it breif and sharp. 90% of the time, judges are clueless as to internet technology and won't see it as clear cut evidence unless you are clear and concise with what it is. My advise would be to steer relatively clear from the technological side of it.

You should note however that an IP uniquely identifies a path in which someone has attempted to access another. If there is repeated occurance of the IP attempting access to another, it means that the bearer of the IP has most likely intended to make contact.

You MUST note however that it may be near impossible to legally prove that the cyberstalker is the offender by using an I.P. Without a subpeona to force the offender's Internet Service Provider to prove it was the IP used by the offender's residential address, you face a hard time providing a clear cut case without other solid evidence.

Answer 4

First if it is a true "Cyber Staking" then the States Attorney General"s Office should be handling it and that will not b your responsibility.
If this is party of a Civil case the simple answer is the IP address it assigned to an ISP, like a telephone number is assigned to a address.
Unless the person has a Static IP address their argument will be that the IP address cannot be proving to have being used by one single person at one single point in time.
That is where the Attorney General of your State will come into play with a subpoena..

Answer 5

A persons ISP issues the IP Address. And most people have a dynamic IP address that your ISP changes every 24 hours or so. Pretty useless as evidence.

In the USA, the only way to get an ISP to release personal information ( name, telephone, address etc.) about a particular IP address is with a Court Order.

And Court Orders are usually only given out in the case of serious criminal activity.

I wouldn't hold my breath.

It sounds like you are acting as your own counsel. Now I hate lawyers as much as anyone, in fact I despise them. But the old adage still applies, "A person that represents them self has a fool for a client."

Answer 6

"An IP address can also be thought of as the equivalent of a street address or a phone number (compare: VoIP (voice over (the) internet protocol)) for a computer or other network device on the Internet. Just as each street address and phone number uniquely identifies a building or telephone, an IP address can uniquely identify a specific computer or other network device on a network. An IP address differs from other contact information, however, because the linkage of a user's IP address to his/her name is not publicly available information."
from wikipedia

Answer 7

Go to Wikipedia. Print out the search results for: IP address

Then, go to: http://www.ipchicken.com and type in the stalker's IP address. Then, print those results.

If that still isn't enough, you may need to ask the judge for a Subpoena to get more proof from the stalker's ISP.

Answer 8

Well every PC has an IP address. That is how the RIAA can track if your stealing music (if you go to their webpage that happens). This is also how some popups work. Like if you go to smileycentral.com, they will have your IP address, send information to you, and have it popup. That is also how Antivirus programs block other PC's. By not allowing their IP Address in.

Answer 9

I.P. Address is the computers network "identity" so to speak. Everytime one connects to a page, that page in turn collects the users i.p. address to access the website. Without an address it would be hard to connect to one another online, however an i.p. is supposed to be kept secret from public view unless the host agrees to share the i.p. address with another user.The stalker will claim its not him only to protect himself for going into jail of course. For specific details go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_address

hope this helps

-mp

Answer 10

Find a Techie to go with you I'm sure someone would be willing to do it, to convict this knob. I will if me living in Australia works!