Yet another dumb computer question.
Yes, they keep coming. My laptop thinks I'm located in Columbus, Ohio. It's been that way for a couple of years. Not a huge problem but a little irritating - for instance when I search "anything near me". How does it know where I am and how can I correct this?
Thanks guys,
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I can't help you with specifics if it's Windows, but there's probably something in your browser Settings somewhere. Search for "Location"
Found this:
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You mist be in Columbus, Oh. The guys here insist anything electric is spying on you.
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Thanks guys for the response. One thing came to mind - I have a VPN. Can that affect this issue?
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I hate computers with locations
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My internet service is a crappy dsl line from CenturyLink or whatever the name is of the new company that bought them out. It seems to vary where it thinks I am and all the locations seem to be their hubs that are anywhere from 20 - 150 miles away. I have never had any desire to go in and change any settings to correct their error. It never causes me any problems making local searches and I figure the less information about me online, the better I like it. Bob
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cbxjeff: 30324332399771/comments/
Thanks guys for the response. One thing came to mind - I have a VPN. Can that affect this issue?
Yes.
Which VPN do you use?
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just be glad your not in columbus ohio...............
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I have Norton VPN.
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cbxjeff: 30324332399771/comments/
Thanks guys for the response. One thing came to mind - I have a VPN. Can that affect this issue?
Yes, absolutely. That is why it thinks you are in OH. That is where the VPN server is, or at least that is where it is telling your computer where it is.
Merc
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Yup. It's the VPN's address. (anything Norton is malicious crap IMO)
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Beats Peoria and Indy isn't to far away😎
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What those guys said.
I use NordVPN. Servers all over the place. 4 dollars a month. Never had any issues.
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OK Rocky Raab, I need to reup 5/14. What brand do you suggest?
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WHAT A MINUTE asop. I'm from Peoria! 😀
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I'm in Ohio and my confuser thinks I'm in Michigan where Hughes.net has a server.
Joe
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I don't use Windows, so I'm not up to speed on what's current there. However, if you need a VPN you might look into using the Brave browser which comes with the TOR VPN pre-installed. Both are completely free. Brave also has a very good ad blocker installed. I run uBlock Origin as well because no one blocker catches everything. Brave has a Wallet function and a system of earning points for watching screened ads. I disable both. Search for Brave browser.
Because I use Linux operating systems and Brave, I have no need for anti-virus or anti-malware add-ons. And have been bug free for years. Typing this now on my travel laptop, which uses Zorin Core as the OS. My main desktop uses Mint and my backup laptop runs MX Linux. All are free and come with everything I need from browsers to a full Office suite and lots more.
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I think it's pretty easy to "cheat." For example, if you want a Chinese restaurant near you, instead of relying on the search engine to choose "near me" type Chinese restaurant and then your city/location (or zip code).
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I do searches like that often, @JohnEReb
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Will Stockdale (no time for sargeants) advice:
" At home we got a little ole radio on the porch, whenever it wont work Pa just spits in the back of it and whomps it a goodun, works everytime." You might try that with your computer. 😁
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Thanks again guys for all the suggestions. I'm going to turn off the VPN and see if that helps. I have Brave installed and use it too access some sites that won't load otherwise. I use it to access some sites that won't load otherwise.
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I feel compelled to point out that the entire point of a VPN is to mask where you are located, what machine you're using, and to protect your identity. It should be no wonder that it does not reflect your local area... that's the point.
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