Using IP Address to Combat Cyber Crime

Have you been wondering how PayPal, EBay, Google and other websites have been able to identify your location without asking? How does the network administrator in your office identify your system among the numerous ones available? Sometimes, we feel we are anonymous while browsing the internet because there is no physical monitor or no sense of any monitoring arrangement. The simple answer is there is no anonymous user on the web because every device and computers can be identified.

The fact is every device and computers on the internet have unique address which can be used to trace them. This is popularly qualified as IP address with some other technical terms like MAC address always mentioned when describing this unique identification number.  The source of scams or illegal and criminal activity on the internet can be detected through the IP address that often accompanies mails and other communication on the web. Discovering the IP address will be conducted through the Internet Service Provider (ISP) who most times holds the contact address or even residential address of the internet service used.

I will like to propose that using this means can be conducted by the implementation of systems where people can report suspected IP address. The reported IP address or identity of the alleged scammer can be put on a centralized cybercrime database (it must be developed also) with ISPs having access. The IP addresses and identities can then be tracked over a period of time thereby resulting in the overall arrest of the criminals.

I will admit that this process will require a lot of industrial support and collaboration. Evidence of the successful use of this means (Facebook and Pentagon) has shown that it is very viable and often lead to easy arrest of criminals. Also, it requires little technical knowledge as the ISPs do most of the work.