Location problems

Question

Why is my location showing as London when I live in the North East (Sunderland). Also the IP address is incorrrect for my pc? Does this mean somebody else is accessing my account/pc? It also shows nearby address as having been into my account. Does this mean they can access my account? I can't believe how unsecure this is and I will stop the substriptions for it!! Now states when trying to post "parent required" - Im 59!!!!

Answer 1

The location and IP information shown for sign-ins and devices does not always match the exact physical location or the device in use, and by itself does not prove that someone else has access.

Key points:

1. Why location looks wrong (London vs Sunderland)
   • Microsoft often determines sign‑in location from the IP address and network routing, not precise GPS.
   • Internet traffic can be routed through distant locations (for example, via an ISP’s London gateway), so a sign‑in from Sunderland can legitimately appear as London.
   • Mobile networks and some broadband providers are “especially hard to pinpoint” and can show locations that are far from the actual place.
2. Why the IP address may look unfamiliar
   • The IP shown is the address seen by Microsoft’s services, which can differ from what is seen on a home router or PC if traffic passes through other network equipment or providers.
   • This difference alone does not mean another person is using the account.
3. How to check if someone else actually accessed the account
   Use the Recent activity / My sign-ins pages and review the details, not just the city:
   • For a work or school account:
     1. Go to My Account and sign in.
     2. Select Recent activity.
     3. Expand each sign‑in and check: date/time, app used, operating system, browser, and location.
   • For a personal Microsoft account (Outlook.com, etc.):
     1. Go to the Recent activity page from the account’s security area.
     2. Expand each event to see IP address, map, device/OS, and browser/app.
     3. If an event is in the Unusual activity section, choose This was me if recognized, or This wasn’t me if not.
   If there are sign‑ins or actions (like password changes, app permissions) that are not recognized, treat that as suspicious.
4. What “nearby address” or nearby locations mean
   • Location services and sign‑in logs can show approximate or nearby addresses based on IP, Wi‑Fi, or cell towers.
   • A nearby address in the log does not automatically mean that specific neighbor or address has access; it is an approximation.
5. What to do if any activity is not recognized
   If any sign‑in or activity truly is not yours:
   • On the Recent activity page, select This wasn’t me for that event.
   • Immediately change the account password.
   • Review and update security info (phone, alternate email) from the account’s security page.
   • Turn on two‑step verification where available.
6. About the “parent required” message
   That message is related to age or family settings on the account, not to hacking. It does not mean someone else has access; it means the system currently thinks the account needs adult/parental confirmation.

These steps will confirm whether there is real unauthorized access and help secure the account if needed, while avoiding false alarms caused by approximate location/IP data.

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References:

• View your work or school account sign-in activity from My Sign-ins
• What is the Recent activity page?
• What happens if there's an unusual sign-in to your account
• Windows location service and privacy
• Protect your privacy on the internet