IP Data

What Is IP Data?

Every device that accesses the internet must have an Internet Protocol to communicate with any other device. IP data is all the information about these devices—and, by extension, their users.

Where Does Web IP Data Come From?

Routers assign IP addresses to devices. They assign these IPs to devices based on either interior or exterior gateway protocols. Or, in other words, whether the device needs to communicate with a small set of devices only (such as computers within an office) or whether the device needs to communicate with a wider audience.

What Types of Columns/Attributes Should I Expect When Working with This Data?

IP data is delivered in API form. In addition to the string of numbers that is the IP address itself, this data contains geographic information, including latitude and longitude. And while different parts of the world provide more accurate geographical information, the IP often places users accurately down to the city.

Finally, and crucially, this data provides an estimate of the threat level represented by an IP. It does this by gauging whether an IP address is a proxy, a tor node, or a known attacker.

What Is This Data Used For?

Companies use this data in two main ways. First, marketers use it to advertise to specific populations, whether by showing ads in the native language or by showing content that their market research indicates would most likely appeal to a certain country or region. Second, companies personalize their websites for certain IPs. For example, they show prices in the local currency or show a countdown to the end of a promotion in the local time zone.

Another important use of IP address data is fraud detection. No matter the type of business or public service provided, identifying attackers or hostile parties is never-ending work but IP identification is a crucial part of the work.

How Should I Test the Quality of IP Data?

One of the best tests for this data is checking the address in your database against the device’s verified location.

Another important test of your IP database is the constant measurement of the speed of its updates. Delays in routing speeds, even seconds to a database’s typical milliseconds can indicate corruption of the data.

Interesting Case Studies and Blogs to Look Into

Neustar:Duo Security stops data breaches before they happen with Neustar IP Intelligence.

Tangible Examples of Impact

But extending the internet to space isn’t just a matter of installing Wi-Fi on rockets. Scientists have novel obstacles to contend with: The distances involved are astronomical, and planets move around, potentially blocking signals. Anyone on Earth who wants to send a message to someone or something on another planet must contend with often-disrupted communication paths.

Quanta Magazine: Vint Cerf’s Plan for Building an Internet in Space