So I tested this with and without my vpn on and still the same result, a simple weather app or where am I right now show with scary accuracy my real location.
I thought when running pia this would hide my location.
How do I correct this ?
Depends how you are using your weather app?
If it’s on your mobile there’s many ways for your location to be tracked. The app might be sharing your gps coordinates to find your location. Or use your location based on the cell tower to work out where you are
The VPN will stop websites knowing where you are as long as they don’t have access to other forms of you location data (GPS or cell tower info), your data’s “exit” in to the internet is via the “Tunnel” through to PIA servers. Wherever this server is, that’s what your IP will show as.
As a scary bit of info…if google has the SSid of your WiFi shared with them (see Android phones here), chances are they know where you are.
When steetview cars drive around they sniff WiFi SSids to help location data when using google location services. Also if you’re on public WiFi be prepared to be tracked within a building based on your access point connection and triangulation within the WiFi network.
Here’s a simple article about it and other ways to maximise your privacy easily
Hope this helps
TL:DR: lots of ways for things to find out where you are not just IP geo location
It’s either location services or WebRTC. It’s a good idea to disable WebRTC anyways. https://whoer.net/blog/article/how-to-disable-webrtc-in-various-browsers/
Am using opera web browser on a desktop, so noGPS or cell towers are being used.
So how does it still know my location ?
I have nothing added to the location section on the browser also.
Mmmm I’m not 100% sure. If you allow the website to access your location data if might query your WiFi ssid and then as explained above know your location
That link is interesting and shows you some of the info your computer is sharing
Outside of your browser giving away your location there isn’t much other way. If you’re on the VPN your IP geo location is masked.
I’m in the UK right now but on a US east server on my phone and it thinks I’m in Secaucus, New Jersey.
Ok so if I have my vpn on and go to this site.
It shows my actual location when I allow it.
But if go to this site
It says am in the UK.
I currently have the London server on.
Do you get the same result ?
The top link asks me to share my location
(refused of course) so cant find me
Bottom link shows this
However when you do approve the top link your location isn’t hidden at all.
I thought a VPN masked your location regardless ?
Your VPN masks your IP. It can’t mask your browser sending your location because you’re silly enough to let it
The best analogy I can think of is imagine your VPN like the best camouflage available. No one can find you. And then suddenly you start telling the soldiers looking for you that youre 10ft away to their left.
get analogy, well it seems I’ve had a blonde moment. Cheers for your help Dave0r ! Much appreciated !