How does Google get my location?

[funkydude]

If I use Google's search, the bar to the left seems to pinpoint my location pretty precisely, scary. How is this possible?

I have geolocation disabled, flash disabled, and google.com cookies denied. I also read http://www.google.co.uk/support/webs...er=179386&rd=1 and the only thing that applies to me is IP address. However, IP's cannot trace to a town/city so accurately, so how is Google doing it, and why isn't it mentioned on that page?

[dw426]

Wow, someone else besides me has wondered about that. I had always thought it was that "iGoogle" bs that seems to be default in IE 9. Maybe not though. I hope someone knows, I'd love to take away one less thing Google knows.

[dw426]

Funky, I found something: http://www.google.com/support/websea...er=179386&rd=1. Under "Can I turn off location-based customization", they clearly state that you can't. You can, however, change it, but if you're like me, that's not the point. It's found using your IP address and GoogleToolbar. So, in our cases (assuming you don't have the toolbar), they're using the IP address which, evidently is close to us, if not right in our area. They're almost dead on in my case, and I don't like it a bit.

Edit: I'm sorry, I didn't read your link beforehand, it's the same page. So basically we take away from this that Google is saying "Screw you, it's our idea and we like it.".

[funkydude]

Not using iGoogle, this is from a simple Google search.

That kind of pinpoint accuracy is simply not possible with IP's, that's why geolocation/flash/etc use their own systems. You can get more info on your own IP address with tools like "IP Information" from dnsstuff.com

[dw426]

Yeah, my iGoogle comment was just thoughts meandering through my skull, until I found an actual link to relevant information. I can only go by what the page says, I doubt Google will help either of us much with it. My only suggestion is possibly going through a VPN. But, they can present their own problems, and it doesn't help matters when Google already has found out the area near enough to you or where you actually are.

I don't have the techie skills to figure this one out, I have no idea how they are doing it.

[CloneRanger]

Hi all. Using https://www.google.com i see NO location stuff

Going directly there



Doing a search



Nobody mentioned Scripts ? I have just about everything disabled in NoScript, so it "might" be due to that ?

Also if your ISP etc has servers in your area, that would be why Google can locate by IP.

If anybody else can provide more insight, i'm Sure we'ld love to hear it

[vasa1]

Originally Posted by funkydude

If I use Google's search, the bar to the left seems to pinpoint my location pretty precisely, scary. How is this possible?...

If you don't mind could you put up a screenshot? I don't see my location other than India on the Google Search page. I know that GMail has a record of my IP addresses and can use that to alert me about "unusual" activity.

What I see ...

[funkydude]

Originally Posted by CloneRanger

Hi all. Using https://www.google.com i see NO location stuff

The SSL version (or possibly the .com version) doesn't use location.

Also, I don't think JavaScript has the ability to track you to town/city.

Originally Posted by vasa1

What I see ...

If you imagine the "search near" text and the box under it saying "Your City, Country", then that's what I see.

I tried to inspect the code but it's just a giant bundle of JavaScript mess. For a website wanting to push new standards I'm surprised by how "unclean" the code is.

[dw426]

I still see it via SSL myself, I don't know about you all. Scripting off doesn't matter either, it's still there (blocking everything with NoScript).

[funkydude]

The only other thing I thing I can think of is that it's getting the location information from flash from one of my family members (I don't enable ActiveX filtering on their PCs) and then binding that location to that IP permanently? I think I'll try restart the router for a new IP and check sometime.

[dw426]

I might be crazy, but I sure don't remember this happening until somewhat recently (months maybe?).

[CloneRanger]

@ funkydude

You're right It's the .com that prevents it.



It was 50 miles away On one IP checker i've seen it shown as 30 miles away & is the correct location for my ISP. But let's face it, if the IP is correct, then that's to be expected !

Google are'nt using any clever tech with me, based on the above.

[vasa1]

Okay! Can't be bothered based on what's been written so far. Just the usual Google this, Google that.

[dw426]

Originally Posted by vasa1

Okay! Can't be bothered based on what's been written so far. Just the usual Google this, Google that.

Sorry we're boring you.

[vasa1]

Originally Posted by dw426

Sorry we're boring you.

It's actually a vast conspiracy to ruin Google's good name (put serious face smiley here).

[vasa1]

Looks like Google isn't alone in being accused of naughty things:
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Mi...OptOut-544316/

[funkydude]

Originally Posted by CloneRanger

It was 50 miles away On one IP checker i've seen it shown as 30 miles away & is the correct location for my ISP. But let's face it, if the IP is correct, then that's to be expected !

Yeah I expect it to be close but not exact, I don't see how it could possibly be exact from an IP address, there has to be more.

[Fly]

Funkydude, I've had this issue too. It started last year.

For some reason I no longer get the zip code plus city combo.

My guess is that it was based on either IP or MAC (router).
Presumable those data are exchanged/sold ?

Google did capture a lot with their StreetView. Other companies may have done the same.

[funkydude]

I don't think websites can get your MAC address to reference it against anything.

I'm kinda hoping this is something I can prevent/block on my end. I'm using Google as an example here, if they have the functionality to do this then I'm sure any site does, there must be a way to prevent it short of using a VPN.

[dw426]

Originally Posted by vasa1

Looks like Google isn't alone in being accused of naughty things:
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Mi...OptOut-544316/

Oh I'm not shocked with MS either. Let's be realistic, if Google, MS, advertisers and so on can do things like this, you're safe enough assuming they'll do it.

[jesusjesus]

I've noticed this in the last week or 2 as well. Geolocation off, yet google knows where I live to within 150 yards on my home computer. Creepy creepy google.

What I assume is that when I use my phone or my tablet and use my wifi for my home connection then I think that must be how it can associate my broadband cable IP with where I live.

I have gps and network geolocation turned off on the android tablet however when you go to process's "com.google.android.apps.maps:networklocationservice" is always running. You can stop the process but in less than a second it's running again.

[vasa1]

People know where I live! The sheer terror of that.

[JRViejo]

FYI. Privacy and My Location.

This involves analyzing the Wi-Fi access points around you and your computer's IP address, and sending this information to a Google server to then be translated into a location that we can show on the map.

[dw426]

Originally Posted by vasa1

People know where I live! The sheer terror of that.

Okay, if you're not bothered with people knowing where you live, tell me then I figure if you don't, there will be two reasons why:

1. It's none of my business.

2. It's a matter of personal privacy.

Great answers...now why not apply them to a company and its army of 3rd party buddies that has no real reason to know where you live, unless you have handed them over money for something, or they are the government?

[jesusjesus]

Originally Posted by vasa1

People know where I live! The sheer terror of that.

In the non internet world the only people who know where I live are friends and people I choose to tell where I live. But in the google internet world complete strangers , possibly freaks of nature, possibly the guy I last had a big argument with on a message board knows where I live.

Should be my decision to tell complete strangers where I live, and ofcourse I wouldn't, just like the real world.