Government Surveillance and Hacking on ZTE ZMAX PRO

[Mr_Rap_Star]

Can anyone tell me why my phone's IP address is the same after purchasing 3 different ZMAX pro's on 3 different occasions? I'm dying to know

 

[Deleted User]

Depends where you got your IP address from. If it's from a DHCP server on a network, then it's likely that you will get the same IP address on more than one occasion, for that network.

 

[Mr_Rap_Star]

Depends where you got your IP address from. If it's from a DHCP server on a network, then it's likely that you will get the same IP address on more than one occasion, for that network.

Thank you for your quick response. It's greatly appreciated. The only thing is that not very many people are concerned with DHCP servers and IP addresses when purchasing a phone until they notice that the phone has a mind of its own.

 

[kate]

Your IP address is determined by the device your phone uses to connect to the internet, like a cell tower or WiFi modem/router.

If you have friends over and they connect to your WiFi all their phones will have the same IP address. If you go to a store and connect to their free WiFi you will have a different IP address.

 

[Mr_Rap_Star]

Your IP address is determined by the device your phone uses to connect to the internet, like a cell tower or WiFi modem/router.

If you have friends over and they connect to your WiFi all their phones will have the same IP address. If you go to a store and connect to their free WiFi you will have a different IP address.

Thank you for your quick response as well. The only thing is that these phones were purchased in 3 different cities spanning across 2 different states. How likely now is it that each phone has the same IP address unless my phone was directed or targeted for a certain IP

 

[kate]

Where are the phones being used? If all three are in your home connected to your WiFi they should have the same IP regardless of purchase location. If all three are currently in three different cities then that would be odd.

Also are you looking at local or public IP?

Local: Settings -> About Phone -> Status

Public: any IP info site like http://www.whatsmyip.org

 

[Mr_Rap_Star]

Where are the phones being used? If all three are in your home connected to your WiFi they should have the same IP regardless of purchase location. If all three are currently in three different cities then that would be odd.

Also are you looking at local or public IP?

Local: Settings -> About Phone -> Status

Public: any IP info site like http://www.whatsmyip.org

These phones have been used in 2 different states. I've never had a wifi network. Local IP is a 192.x.x.x which is the IP that has stayed with all 3 phones and public IP is a 172.x.x.x. Not to mention I get text messages from people who I know in fact are not actually communicating with me.

 

[mikedt]

These phones have been used in 2 different states. I've never had a wifi network. Local IP is a 192.x.x.x which is the IP that has stayed with all 3 phones and public IP is a 172.x.x.x. Not to mention I get text messages from people who I know in fact are not actually communicating with me.

Any IP address that's 192.168.x.x is a local IP for the device, allocated via NAT routing and isn't on the public internet. And 172.x.x.x is very likely the public IP of your carrier. Have you been using the same SIM and carrier in all 3 phones?

If you want an arbitrary IP address on the internet, see about using a VPN. But anyway text SMS messages are sent to phone numbers, not IP addresses.

 

[kate]

Local IP is a 192.x.x.x which is the IP that has stayed with all 3 phones

That is normal and expected.

public IP is a 172.x.x.x.

That's the one that should change based on location.

Not to mention I get text messages from people who I know in fact are not actually communicating with me.

For that I'd check with your mobile provider.

EDIT: ninja'd by mike