It’s kind of creepy, isn’t it? It seems like no matter what device you are using, Google Maps and other sites seem to know your exact location. Desktop computers don’t have GPS chips so you have to wonder, right? In the 21st century, we’ve become resigned to the idea that we’re being tracked constantly. Still, few of us understand how it’s done.
Tracking your phone’s location
If you’re using a phone or other cellular device to browse, it’s pretty straightforward. Pretty much every phone has a GPS chip in it. Even some flip phones do, I’m told. Your phone uses a hybrid system called Assisted GPS to determine your exact location in real time. It uses satellite GPS as well as cell towers to provide really, really accurate location data. That data is used for a lot of really good reasons, like helping you navigate and locating you if you get kidnapped. It’s also used for a few more sketchy reasons like serving you local ads.
Tracking your computer’s location
There are several simple, non-insidious ways that a web site can determine your location. The simplest is that your router has a public IP address that can be traced. If you go to whatismyipaddress.com or any other similar site, you’ll find that your home or office router can be identified with a series of four numbers. These four numbers are reported to any other web site that asks, that’s just how the web works. If they weren’t, then the site couldn’t supply you with any information.
By looking at your IP address and the connection you have to your internet service provider, it’s possible to get an astoundingly close match. Your internet service provider publishes the physical locations of its equipment and so, by measuring the time that it takes your home equipment to reach different pieces of equipment operated by your ISP, it becomes pretty easy to get a close match for your location.
The semi-secret stuff Google seems to do
Google, though, seems to do a bit more. While their processes are secret, it’s possible that they are doing one of two things, especially if you are logged in with your Google ID. They may be checking your smartphone’s IP address to see if it’s the same as the computer you’re using, and then using your smartphone’s GPS, or it’s also possible that they are logging the IP address you are using and comparing it to your known home or work address. Several people have commented that Google always seems to recognize a home or work location better than any other.
While this sort of thing may come off a little creepy (and it should) for now the information is being used benignly. On the other hand, it’s a little scary to think that this information could be used against you quite easily. Laws haven’t caught up with your device’s capabilities, so exercise caution when you’re browsing, and if you don’t want to be found… turn off your phone.
How can you block others from seeing your location?
Folks, here’s the honest fact. If you’re on a cell phone, there’s very little way to block your location. Even if you’re using the cheapest burner phone, it’s still logging its location with cell towers. If it’s in range of three cell towers, the cell company will know your location within just a few feet. If you want to be anonymous on a phone call, find a payphone. Chances are there’s one somewhere in your hometown.
It’s a little easier with computers. You can find any number of VPN services that will hide your location effectively. You can use a browser like Opera that has a built-in VPN as well. Just be careful here, because free VPN services tend to be fronts for shady data-stealing operations, as ironic as that is.
Still, a VPN isn’t a perfect solution. Traffic is still going through your local internet service provider. They may not be able to completely link you to the web sites you’re visiting, but you’re not completely anonymous in most cases. At the very least, your internet service provider will be able to see that you accessed the VPN service.
The bottom line here? Be careful on the internet. Be careful with the information you’re putting out there. And sadly, here in the 2020s, always assume that someone somewhere is watching.
