Location is a crucial dimension of life. Everything is constantly on the move, whether it is the location of people, vehicles, and even devices. Given the billions of devices that are connected to the internet worldwide, location data is of utmost importance.
However, as location data has become easily available to marketers, people tend to forget how critical this data is. It is not just a device or a person’s geolocation but also a means of obtaining important context.
In today’s world, safety and privacy online have become absolutely necessary. Location data should be requested very responsibly. Only then will users grant permission. Moreover, possessing location data carries with it ethical and legal responsibilities.
What is Geolocation API?
Many companies globally have been empowering their businesses with this location information. Geolocation API help identify the physical location of an IP address. With the location API, you can identify the user’s city, country, address, province, state, latitude, longitude, and more.
Basically, a Geolocation API helps access the device location of clients. The accuracy of the client’s location is largely dependent on the geolocation device that they use. Once you have the address, you can find the corresponding location with the help of the Address Lookup API.
It can retrieve data from GPS if the device consists of a GPS receiver. Besides that, it can also detect user location from WiFi, Bluetooth, IP address, and more. Geolocation API is largely compatible with most of the technology used on client devices to access their geolocation data.
This brings you to the next question, why do you require a Geolocation API IP address?
Why do you Require a Geolocation API IP Address?
IP Address Geolocation API has multiple important applications. Following are some reasons why you do need it:
Build Customized Experience
With IP Address Geolocation API, you can create a customized experience for your clients and users. Depending on their demographics, location, and country, you can show them sites best suited for them.
Weather Forecasts
Modern technology has made it easy to forecast weather. Knowing the client’s location, you can update them with weather forecasts to alert them about what is coming.
Personalized Social Media Content
Users are from different demographics and have varied interests. The same content would not work for everyone. It is personalized with IP Address Geolocation API, thus creating a better user experience.
Track Network Intruders
Usually, intruders use network resources to attack your application. They can access data, hamper the application speed, and even send malicious emails from your app. By tracking the attacker’s location, you can thwart their attempts to attack your system.
Security
APIs drive almost all types of applications. It processes all the data and requests and that is why all companies invest heavily in securing their APIs.
Geolocation API must be used responsibly and effectively for the best results.
How Does IP Geolocation API Enhance IP Address Security?
To begin with, regularly monitoring IP addresses can help avoid security breaches. Here are three ways by which Geolocation API can help secure IP Addresses:
User Access Management
Companies using and handling user information must use a user access management system. By doing so, only authorized users will have access to sensitive information.
Geolocation API enables cybersecurity teams to limit the number of devices connecting and accessing files on a network. It starts by separating files based on internal or external consumption. Access to files is thus limited and restricted for security.
Firewall
Firewalls ordinarily screen all connections – incoming and outgoing. You can think of it as the fundamental protective layer against cyberattacks.
By integrating Geolocation API into the firewall, it can scan IP addresses. It allows access to network resources only after scanning. In the case of a malicious IP Address, it can instantly block it from accessing the network.
DDoS Prevention or Distributed Denial-of-Service Prevention
Nowadays, DDoS attacks have become the biggest threat to a company. Such attacks can take the website offline for hours or even longer, thus, affecting operations. Adding DDoS Prevention is like adding extra security in the form of Geolocation API.
In the case of a DDoS attack, Geolocation API can identify the source of bad traffic. Following that, it blocks the network from threat sources.
Protection Against Cyber Attacks by Blocking IP Address
Global companies have employees from across the world communicate on the network. However, not all companies have employees in every country. Neither do they conduct transactions in all countries.
Therefore, security can restrict access to and from countries in which the company does not conduct business. For instance, companies that only operate in Asia and Europe can apply security to avoid threats coming from the US.
However, blocking all IP addresses of a country can be restricting for the organization. It can prevent the organization from signing up for potential partnerships. Thus, it is better to block those IP Addresses that are known to conduct malicious activities.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know and understand Geolocation API and its uses, it is essential to realize to use it responsibly. When using this specific location API, you ask users to trust you regarding their location information.
Since it is such sensitive data, trust is important and that comes with being responsible. To that end, provide users access to your privacy policy and terms of service. Furthermore, be explicit about your intentions behind using their location data.
Finally, safeguarding the safety and privacy of your users is your duty. So, acquire user permission before accessing their location data. Use a trusted Geolocation API service to deliver the best user experience to your clients.
