IP addresses and proxies often go hand in hand, making for great tools with many practical applications. This is why companies choose to invest in purchasing or leasing personalized IPs.

If you plan to use proxies for your business, consider this guide on essential websites for IP addresses and proxies. Whether you are new to the IP and proxy world or hope to ensure everything aligns with your needs, these tools will be beneficial in understanding your requirements and the best tools to serve them.

The following is an overview of a range of valuable services for IP addresses, including reliable data on quality, geolocation, and communities.

Geolocation

IP Geolocation involves assigning a device’s IP address to a physical location on the map. This mapping can be easily accomplished through specialized websites and various tools. By mapping the IP to the physical location, a user can obtain valuable data like:

Even though it’s not always 100% accurate, depending on the service, website, or IP database you are using, geolocation is a valuable tool for many businesses to surface this information. Organizations can leverage geolocation databases and APIs to identify or closely approximate the real-world location of the device used to connect to the internet. In this respect, geolocation helps in several scenarios, such as:

Websites and APIs for Geolocation

Overview

IPinfo provides insight into specifics like hostname, region, country, location coordinates, postal/zip code, and city based on the IP address lookup. The service has low latency and helps you retrieve important IP information, such as its type, the ISP, the domain, the ASN type, and route, combined with proxy, Tor, and VPN detection, as well as whether the IP is used for hosting.

Features

IPinfo offers tools for different needs, such as:

Pricing

The basic geolocation tool is free of charge. However, IPinfo also offers paid plans that are richer in information and tap into several databases. There are currently three different premium plans, joined by a customizable plan that allows you to choose which databases you wish to use:

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Overview

IP2Location operates at a granular level, meaning each database is designed to suit specific needs. It’s fairly easy to use and requires no explicit permission because it uses a non-intrusive lookup technology. It provides detailed information about IPs and helps detect users with proxies.

Features

IP2Location can be integrated into many software platforms to retrieve IP geolocation information. You can thus use CSV + BIN databases, REST API, and SDKs such as Java, .NET, PHP, Ruby, Python, or Perl. The service uses the infrastructure of AWS (Amazon Web Services). It works fast and provides accurate data on the following:

Pricing

The free demo provides you with everything of the above. Users can also opt to subscribe to and download specific databases, which fall under two main categories: IP2Location (starting from $50/year) and IP2Proxy (starting from $400/year).

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Overview

DBIP covers 2 million unique locations in more than 215,000 cities worldwide. It offers easy API integration and gives users detailed information both geographically speaking and in terms of cybersecurity. 

Features

DBIP gives detailed information about ISP, time zone, city, state, proxy usage, etc. It also helps users identify suspicious accounts based on IP lookup, which can help them defend their infrastructure against potential cyber-attacks. The service also provides a rich IP geolocation database based on:

All databases are regularly updated and are available for download in CSV and MMDB formats.

Pricing

DBIP offers both free and paid services. The geolocation lookup tool is free of charge and users can also download a couple of free IP geolocation databases. Commercial versions are available under subscription (plans start from 50$/year). They have better accuracy, more records, additional information, daily updates, and technical support.

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Overview

Maxmind is efficient both for IP geolocation and fraud detection. Its GeoIP services offer accurate city and country databases that are constantly updated. In addition, the fraud detection tool can help companies optimize their targeted ads or to identify online threats in different scenarios, so you get two services in a versatile website that’s easy to navigate and use.

Features

Pricing

Maxmind’s GeoIP2 Web Service demo is free and retrieves IP geolocation information. The service offers monthly (from $24) or annual (from $288) subscriptions for additional IP geolocation databases that are updated twice a week and come with different payment options. 

These databases offer much more information such as proxy detection, connection type, and AS Number, among others.

Fraud Level

More and more companies are becoming preoccupied with fraud detection, which is a set of activities designed to identify and prevent scams. Fraud detection is used to stop bad actors/fraudsters from obtaining goods through illicit means.

And since a lot of industries have become digitized, it is important that companies have the tools they need to avoid such fraudulent behavior. Fraud detection is used for many situations, such as account theft or fraud payment. For this, different factors are analyzed (like device, online behavior, and session time). 

Moreover, fraud detection techniques can combine statistical data (patterns, probabilities, etc) with AI-driven techniques, such as data mining, or neural networks. At least, that’s what’s behind fraud detection tools and services. Such websites make it easy for companies to prevent fraud and check the reputation of specific IP addresses. In doing so, businesses can identify and repel suspicious IPs that might be used in cyber attacks.

Fraud Detection Websites

Overview

IPQualityScore provides you with a useful suite of fraud prevention tools designed to keep your IP reputation nice and clean. The tools accurately detect bots, fake users, and abuse with worldwide coverage. IPQualityScore operates using a combination of spam traps, also known as honeypots, forensic analysis, machine learning, range scanning, and blacklisting.

Features

You can retrieve information about the hostname, ISP (Internet Service Provider), geolocation data, IP reputation, ASN, and timezone, and also get a risk analysis report. The IP Address will also be analyzed to detect a proxy, VPN, or TOR connection. In addition, the address will be searched in the most important blacklists for any reports of spam or abuse. IPQualityScore offers, alongside useful explanations, tools, and APIs like:

As 2022 unfolds, email marketing automation is becoming more and more relevant. Many B2B marketers who make use of automation software see on average a 20% increase in new sales opportunities.

The benefits of email marketing automation cannot be overlooked, as it helps marketers achieve much more favorable results:

Pricing

IPQualityScore works on a freemium model, and users benefit from lots of free fraud prevention tools with highly customizable databases. The prices of the premium features range from 500$ to 4,000$ and offer protection industry-wide.

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Overview

Scamalytics is a fast and easy-to-use IP fraud checker. By using machine learning, real-time detection, and shared blacklists, Scamalytics can help businesses detect and eliminate scammers and bad actors. The tool can quickly scan the given IP address and return detailed geolocation information and fraud level score.

Features

Scamalytics provides IP Lookup features that provide information regarding:

Based on several criteria such as address visibility, Scamalytics can assess, for example, whether the IP you are checking is actually a commercial server that could be proxying traffic from another geographical location. Scamalytics can apply a fraud score from 0 to 100 to the IP address you submitted for verification. By using machine learning, real-time detection, and shared blacklists, Scamalytics can help businesses detect and eliminate scammers and bad actors.

Pricing

Scamalytics lets you do free IP geolocation lookups if you want to check if an address is suspicious and if it is used for malicious purposes. It also comes with paid API features. 

The premium model is priced monthly (starting from $25) or yearly (starting from $250) based on an allowance of lookups for a given month. For these API features, users can opt for a free tier or register for free trials on whatever plan they wish to choose.

AS Number and Prefixes

Understanding AS Numbers and Prefixes

An Autonomous System (AS) is a collection of one or more IP prefixes, essentially networks, that operate under a single, clearly defined routing policy. To maintain order and efficiency, network administrators require Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs). 

ASNs are crucial for managing routing data within these specific networks and exchanging routing information with other Internet Service Providers (ISPs). They form the backbone of every computer or device that accesses the internet, enabling organizations to announce routing information with remote networks and systems.

AS Number & Prefix Lookup Websites

Overview

BGPView is a web-based project that provides a web-browsing tool and an API. These tools allow you to gather information about the current state and structure of the internet, including ASNs, IP addresses, Internet exchange points (IXs), BGP Downstream & Upstream Peers, among others.

Features

Comprehensive BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) lookup. It offers Internet routing information, including:

Pricing

BGPView is completely free to use, and the toolkit and API are readily available.

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Overview

Hurricane Electric BGP is a user-friendly AS Number & Prefix Lookup tool. It provides detailed information regarding AS and AS Numbers, DNS reports, BGP Prefix Reports, and more.

Features

Pricing

The basic services offered by BGPHe are free to use, but additional services might require payments depending on specific needs.

Antibot Technologies

Bots have become an integral part of our online activities. They save us from the hassle of repetitive tasks and can bring many benefits. However, bots can also act detrimentally as part of fraud and theft. Spambots are among the most problematic encounters across the internet. To protect themselves and their clients, companies often employ antibot measures that limit bot activity and reduce spambot presence.

Antibot Websites and Services

Overview

Akamai offers solutions that identify bots as part of their antibot services. These solutions distinguish between beneficial and harmful bots. The harmful bots are subsequently blocked, and the tools eliminate other threats without affecting system performance. 

Akamai provides a range of products and services tailored to various industries. It also offers users a comprehensive resource library containing whitepapers, webinars, and additional information.

Features

Security: 

Content Delivery (CDN): 

Edge Compute:

Pricing

Akamai does offer trial versions for some of its products and services, like, for example, App & API protectors, global traffic management tools, and site defenders.

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Overview

Cloudflare specializes in content delivery (CDN) and DDoS mitigation services. It is designed to assist companies in conducting their online businesses swiftly, reliably, and securely. Cloudflare acts as a reverse proxy positioned between a website’s visitor and the company customer’s hosting provider.

Cloudflare incorporates flexible bot management capabilities, thus providing users with antibot technologies that help prevent unpleasant situations like credential stuffing or account theft. Cloudflare’s security measures are easy to set up without complex configuration or maintenance. 

It offers a super low-latency bot management service and a dedicated dashboard that provides comprehensive analytics and log access. Users can customize the bot management service to suit their needs, such as URL, request method, or score sensitivities. It also provides Mobile App and API Protection.

Features

Pricing

Cloudflare offers free as well as paid plans that start from $20/month. The premium plans are based either on a monthly subscription or a pay-as-you-go model. There’s also an annual subscription that enables organizations to customize their plan and pay only for specific needs.

Internet Speed

Internet Speed Checking Websites

Overview

Fast.com is a straightforward site to test the connection speed of your IP in use. It automatically detects your IP address and provides information about speed, latency, and server origin.

Features

Pricing

Fast.com is free to use.

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Overview

Speedcheck.org is another efficient website for checking your Internet speed. It provides information about Internet connection speed, the connection’s security analysis, and IP geolocation information.

Features

Pricing

Speedcheck.org is free to use.

Online Communities

Online discussions are an excellent way to obtain and share information. Thanks to the growing interest in these concepts, many users gather on platforms like Discord and Reddit to exchange valuable information with each other.

Discord servers, forums, and subreddits

You can find community links for everyone interested in exchanging information about web hosting infrastructure below. These dedicated forums, Discord servers, and subreddits may help find up-to-the-minute news and answers.

Web Hosting Talk:

Low End Talk:

Traceroute

Traceroute is a versatile command-line tool that traces an IP packet’s path across one or many networks. Initially designed for UNIX-based operating systems, traceroute is now supported by other operating systems, such as Windows (also known as Tracert) and MacOS.

Traceroute is primarily used for troubleshooting but also benefits other use cases. System administrators and network engineers can run this command to see how data travels within an organization’s network. This data can help them detect possible path errors or sub-optimal routes.

In some cases, you can even use Traceroute to observe how data travels across multiple networks, and it can even reveal the actual regions of the networks the packets travel through. And it all revolves around IP addresses and their header contents. Overall, Traceroute is a formidable tool that can help you identify the root cause of potential performance issues or downtimes.

How to Use Traceroute on Windows

1. In the search bar (or by hitting the Windows + S keys), type ‘cmd’.
2. Type ‘tracert’ followed by the destination IP address or the website address (for example, ‘google.com’ or ‘facebook.com’).
3. Press Enter.

The results should be displayed momentarily, but it can take longer to trace the full path.

How to Use Traceroute on MacOS

1. Open the ‘Terminal’ App.
2. Type ‘traceroute’ followed by the hostname or IP address you’d like to trace.
3. Wait for the trace to complete and review the results.

Conclusion

Finding out relevant information about IP addresses does not have to be a complicated task. As more and more companies choose to invest in IP and proxy resources, it is crucial to make sure the IP addresses you acquire are reputable and have a clear record free of spam, fraud, and blacklisting.

By incorporating these resources into your strategy, you will ensure that even if you get the highly-customized IP addresses you need, you can always ensure everything is transparent and works for the betterment of your business.