Protect Your IP Against Hackers Now - Your IP Address May Be Exposed
August 08, 2024
An IP address is a numerical identity assigned to each device connected to a computer network that communicates using the Internet Protocol. An IP address performs two functions: identifying a host or network interface and addressing a specific location.
Your IP address is required for internet data transmission and reception. In contrast, a hacker can use your IP address to gain access to extremely sensitive information, such as your location and online identity. They might potentially control your device, steal your identity, and do other things using this information as a starting point.
How can someone find my IP address?
Your IP address is a one-of-a-kind string of numbers provided to you by your ISP, similar to a delivery address for internet traffic. If you connect to a different Wi-Fi network or relocate, your IP address will change to reflect your new location.
Most ISPs utilize dynamic IP addresses that are not assigned to your device, but you can have a static IP address if you choose. For example, if you want your computer's IP address to always be the same, you can specify it in the device's settings. When port-forwarding, this can be handy if you want particular data to be transferred directly from your network to your computer's IP address.
Since your IP address holds certain information about you, someone may want to use it for malicious purposes. There plenty of ways people can get hold of your IP address. Here are just a few:1. By borrowing your device. If somebody borrows or uses your computer, they can find out what your IP address is in seconds, as there are countless free websites that let you do that.
2. Clicking on a link. Any link you click on will need to provide your IP address for the server at the other end to deliver the content provided by the link. Whoever owns that server will see your IP address.
By hacking your router. If somebody has guessed your router’s password and logged in, they can easily view your IP address.3. From an email. If you send an email to someone, they can check the header of the message, which could contain your IP address. Yahoo! and Microsoft Outlook are known to include IP addresses in the email header.
4. From a web server. Every time you visit a website, your IP address is collected and stored on a server. Anyone who owns that server can go and look up your IP.
5. Clicking on a linked. When you click on an ad, you’re giving your IP to the service provider. Some online ads can be created by malicious actors and put your security at risk.
Participating in online forums. If you like to participate in various discussions when you’re connected to the internet at home, forum admins can view your public IP address and sniff out your location.
Connecting to a fake hotspot. Hackers can set a fake hotspot and view your IP address and personal information or even infect your device with malware.
6. On social networks. While using social media is fun, these platforms collect a lot of sensitive information about your life, friends, habits, interests, and your IP.
How your IP address can be exploited
Hackers may be able to execute acts that represent a threat to your network by gaining access to an IP address. Hackers can use your IP address to prevent you from accessing a website or to post content such as messages or comments. You could also be barred from playing online games on gaming devices.Hackers can use a combination of your IP address and details from other sources to put together data about your identity. They may also perform a Denial of Service (DoS) attack – flooding your network with data and overloading the network to stop normal traffic from getting through.
Although, attacks of such kinds are targeted at organizations, usually, and not on individual devices. Hackers have nothing to gain from manipulating your device by getting access to your IP address.
What Happens If Your IP Is Captured by Hackers?
- Hackers may exploit your IP address to prevent you from visiting a website or from sending messages or comments. Furthermore, your device's operating system may prohibit or ban you from playing online games.
- Hackers can potentially learn about your identity by integrating information from several sources with your IP address.
- Hackers may exploit your IP address in a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack to flood your network with malicious data.
How can I safeguard my IP address?
Your IP address is vulnerable to hackers regardless of where you are or what device you are using. The vast majority of people are ignorant of the significance of safeguarding this simple numerical identity.
In the following paragraphs, we'll go through a few quick and easy techniques to safeguard your IP address.
1. Make Your Own Passwords (A Strong One)
The only barrier that can prevent anyone from accessing your device is your device password.
Some people choose to use their devices' default passwords, which renders them vulnerable to assault. Your device, like all of your accounts, requires a unique and strong password that is difficult to read. Always use a password that contains a combination of upper and lower case alphabets, digits, and characters. This will help to protect your device from IP address hacking.
2. Restriction All of Your Apps
Apps on your device are a common source of IP address hacking. Cybercriminals use most communication tools, such as instant messengers and other calling apps, as a tool.
It is recommended that you install the bare minimum of calling apps on your device and change the setting from Public to Private. Only those people who have been added to your list will be able to see your details in this manner. Furthermore, avoid answering calls from unknown numbers since as soon as you connect with someone on the phone, that person gains access to your device and location information. This information may lead to the hacking of an IP address.
3. Keep an eye out for email phishing and malicious web content.
A phishing email will almost certainly contain malware or device tracking software. When you connect to any website, the site gains access to both your IP address and the location of your device, making it vulnerable to hackers. Use extreme caution while opening anonymous emails and clicking on links from unknown websites. Emails and download links should be investigated as well, even if they appear to come from well-known sites or recognized firms. The vast majority of malware takes the form of well-known brand names.
4. Include Additional Protective Layers
Adding layers of security, whether for yourself or your equipment, is always a bonus. An updated version of any antivirus software or anti-malware is required since it protects your device from malicious websites and content.
This program detects any discrepancy in information received on the device and also warns you when you click on manipulative links. Furthermore, they notify you of any suspicious activity on your device, offering optimal protection. A firewall is an additional security layer that aids in the protection of your device.
In Addition:
Alone your IP address poses little danger to your network. It cannot be used to reveal your location or your specific identity.
A VPN will hide your IP address from users outside, making it difficult to monitor an individual’s online activities and uncover their IP address.
