Identify IP Address of Internet Trolls

How We Positively Identify Internet Trolls

Rexxfield’s cyber tracing team of investigators and partner attorneys have a demonstrated track record of tracing and positively identifying anonymous trolls behind malicious Internet libel. We can help you identify your antagonists, often without court action. Contact us for free consultation…..

Identify IP Address Process In and Out of Court

The suggestion of cart blanche and absolute protection for all anonymous speech (disguised as “net neutrality”), particularly when it is malicious is absurd. It is reasonably presumed that proponents of such notions have never experienced the financial and emotional debilitation of these vicious assaults. The advent of anonymous, free-for-all, online character defamation platforms compounds the victims’ carnage exponentially — brought about by the enduring nature of the postings, instant availability through search engines and the viral republication thereof.

Notwithstanding the motives of the cowardly, malicious minority, there are still compelling First Amendment interests at stake when an anonymous blogger’s anonymity is threatened by a subpoena. The US Constitution (and similar provisions in other nations) demands a stringent test before a judge can order that the veil of anonymity can be pierced. At a minimum, the determination whether the court will permit discovery of confidential identifying information from a third-party generally  comprises the following elements:

1. The plaintiff must first establish a significant likelihood of success on the merits of his/her defamation claim.
2. The plaintiff must establish that the balance of hardship tips in the plaintiff’s favor; and
3. The plaintiff must establish that the subpoena is the least intrusive alternative available.

These factors, while mindful of the right to recover damages for legitimate defamation claims, ensure that a plaintiff will not be able to compel an ISP to disclose confidential identifying information, when disclosure is neither necessary nor fair to a defendant who has not committed and criminal or civil wrongdoing.

Data our Cyber Investigators Uncover

The geographic location of the IP address, once we capture it, is based on open-source information, that services like InfoSniper provides. This information will give you a city, and the ISP of the sender. The area information from an IP address doesn’t provide you with a road name, residence number, or phone number, but it generally gives a good idea of the approximate location of the offender. IP addresses that are associated with mobile phones are generally less accurate geographically. But, we can still value add this information as the investigation advances.