IP addy / where i live

[dave darren]

First time on here. Haven't checked all threads to see if this is new so feel free to play hell if I've started a thread for nothing.
Anyway, when I do an IP check on myself, it shows my HOMETOWN in the info. Also, when using the internet I get adverts all over webpages showing me my HOMETOWN. i,e... buy cheap pizza's at (insert my hometown) etc.
This sort of bothers me. When I was on BT Broadband some years ago this never happened. My hometown was never shown / advertised. My IP would register as somewhere many many miles away.
I have also noticed that Google automatically logs my location too.
Is this a new thing, showing your hometown? Is this simply because the technology is there now to be able to do this?
Is it just Sky that does this or some sort of Sky / BT arrangement?
Can YOU see my hometown?
Can I stop my hometown from showing, via the router maybe, apart from using a proxy?
And no, I'm not up to any sort of jiggery-pokery on the web. I just don't like being advertised all over the world. If that is indeed the case.
I use ZoneAlarm (old version), Comodo, Spywareblaster, Malwarebytes-antimalware and one or two other little programs to keep my insides clean.
Any info would be most appreciated.
Thank you.

[IWasNotTheEnemy]

I can't see anything other than what you put in your profile above the posts on here

I've always had my IP linked to location, with BT, Sky and o2 all doing it. Never bothered me. Just means you can get targeted advertising as an IP range will be assigned to an exchange

[Isitme]

If Who is is showing your actual location, you are probably not on the SVBN, unless you are situated next to one of the Sky server centres. It and all the other similar programs show me as being in Manchester/North Shields/Halifax/etc. Google has my correct location, which I am quite happy with, it means I don't get a lot of useless returns from the USA if I do a search.

If you are worried about it use Private Browsing in Firefox or its equivalent in IE. No private individual can see your details without a lot of hacking. It is like that rather stupid app from Danasoft which puports to know who and where you are. It doesn't, the information it gives if viewable only by you, but it does worry newcomers to the internet who believe it is true.

[dave darren]

Many thanks for the replies.
That SVBN thing is interesting. Might look into that.

I'm just a paranoid old git.


Cheers.