why do some taskers ask for ip address; i wonder what they will do with it

@mydanods (6514)
Nigeria
November 1, 2012 8:48pm CST
can any mylotter help me out? there are tasks on mylot or other sites where the task assigners asks that you give him your ip address as proof that the task is complete. i am not comfortable with people asking for ip address. many persons can be mischievous and deceptive, especially where it comes to money. does anyone agree with me? do you know why someone should ask for your ip address because you want a few cents for some tasks, and by the way, how safe will one be after that?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
2 Nov 12
Is it one of those tasks that are region-specific, say like for USA users only? If yes then maybe that's why they are askung for your IP Address. To verify your location.
@mydanods (6514)
• Nigeria
2 Nov 12
it's not region specific. it's a general task. i was wondering why someone should ask for an IP address and if they are going beyond the limits of invading on privacy. thanks
• Philippines
3 Nov 12
If that is the case, I suggest to skip those tasks. I don't know their reason for asking for IP Address and what they will use it forso it's better to be on the safe side.
@mydanods (6514)
• Nigeria
3 Nov 12
better safe than sorry. better to be on the safe side until one gets more mature on the information highway. happy weekend.
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
2 Nov 12
Every website that you visit automatically collects and logs your IP address. Although an IP address is, in a sense, "Personally Identifiable Information" and can show your approximate geographical location it is of very little use to a hacker. You can compare the security with a burglar knowing your street address. In order to enter your house, he would either need a legitimate key or would need to overcome whatever security system you have in place. Very much the same applies to someone trying to gain entry to your PC. They may know your IP address but they also have to have access to a suitable port number. There are 65536 possible numbers, all of which are controlled and monitored by your firewall which checks the legitimacy of every request to open a port. The reason that people sometimes ask for an IP address is so that they can check that the task has been completed correctly. Since, as I say, websites automatically collect and log the IP addresses of anyone visiting a website, this is sometimes shown as an identifier that a particular person visited the site (and is often used internally by sites to identify users and to check that they are logging in uniquely).
@mydanods (6514)
• Nigeria
2 Nov 12
IP address cannot be used for unique logging in, owlwings. username can and you can create another account. I can use another computer with a different IP and it will not be unique. Nothing can be unique except from the end of the person on the computer. Have you ever had a unique account on an email box? I try to respect my gut feelings and sometimes, i feel it is wise to make sure you are correct by talking to other folks. thanks anyway. nice day.
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
3 Nov 12
I know, of course, that an IP address does not positively identify a PERSON. However, the reason that people ask for an IP address for a task is so that they can check that a person using a particular Internet connection (and, presumably, a particular username) actually logged on to the site and completed the task. What I was at pains to make clear is that it is in no way dangerous or insecure to give your IP address to someone in this situation. It is being used as a check to ensure that the task was completed legitimately.
@mydanods (6514)
• Nigeria
3 Nov 12
i have no proofs of that, but do permit me to disagree, owlwings. can you cite or reference an authority or expert who can give your statement some weight? links, references etc...
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
2 Nov 12
that is because to identify you did the task and where you hail from to track your place alone
@mydanods (6514)
• Nigeria
2 Nov 12
nobody likes being tracked. tracking can be create lots of opportunities for doing harm in the future. thanks, natliegleb
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
2 Nov 12
Some us it to make sure you are where you say you are. Like if they say a task can only be done by people in usa. Ip address will show them where u are connected from. Have a great day there.
@mydanods (6514)
• Nigeria
2 Nov 12
well, you might be right but most of the tasks are not for that purpose. at least, none at all. it is good to share experiences with others on the net because there are lots of scamers all over the place.
@xiejiaotu (217)
• Malaysia
2 Nov 12
i also don't feel safe for those asking for ip address. well i didn't do task so i don't know why they need the ip address.
@mydanods (6514)
• Nigeria
2 Nov 12
safety is another issue. it's not about the technicalities, but the gut feeling that you are not safe, if you ask me.
@auwielady (116)
• Philippines
2 Nov 12
Well, if I were you, I wouldn't trust that. The world wide web is a very helpful yet a very dangerous space. It can be both a friend and a foe. And some abusive and greedy people can use this to their own benefit. That's really bad.
@mydanods (6514)
• Nigeria
2 Nov 12
that is what i was thinking before i opened this discussion. for 2 cents, one cannot be greedy enough to risk his security.