With a VPN, if you are downloading torrent files, or on an unsecured website, your online activity cannot be traced to you. A VPN is the ideal solution to keep your IP address and online activity anonymous and secure , no matter what website you visit.
Now that you know that your IP address can put you at risk online, the very best step to take that will give you maximal protection is to use a reputable VPN whenever you are online. So, what's the big deal if someone gets ahold of your IP?
What Is IP? Before we get into what someone can do with your IP, let's first address what an IP is. Static IP addresses are usually used by servers - not your personal devices. Here are some of the most common ones: 1. Email services: When you send someone an email, as I'm sure you do often, your IP address is sometimes written in its header. Torrenting files: If you are downloading files using a torrent client, your IP address is visible to seeders and leechers in your swarm just by looking at the peers list.
Phishing a ttacks a nd c orrupt l inks: How many times per day do you click on links online? A lot, right? Lending o ut y our d evice: Be vigilant about who you allow to use your device. Online advertisements: Nowadays, our browsing habits are tracked and online ads are often targeted directly at us.
This is another one of the phishing methods used to connect to your private data. This is what someone can do with your IP: 1. Track you online: Like we mentioned before, your IP address is not based on your device, but on your network. Hack into your device: If a hacker gets ahold of your IP, he can then try to scan for any open ports he can find.
Once the hacker accesses your device, he can then steal your information or install malware. Sell your IP on the dark web: To make a dime, cyber-attackers have been known to sell users' IP addresses on the dark web. Compromise your real-life location: When your IP is compromised, this puts you and your family in harm's way in real life.
Bust you for downloading copyrighted files: If you have been violating any copyright laws, the authorities, or copyright agencies, can track you based on your IP address and either sue you or prosecute for a torrenting crime or other illegal things you've done online.
Steal your identity: Someone can impersonate you to get ahold of your IP address on your cell phone provider's network. Affect online gaming: When playing online games, someone on the platform can simply decide to block you from playing. If he does this, it's your IP address being banned from gaming servers.
As a result, someone can get your IP address from a number of sources, including:. An IP address is simply a numeric tag that identifies your device and provides information about your general geolocation. However, if hackers manage to gain access to your computer through other means, like malware, they can use your IP address to conduct all sorts of shady activities in your name.
They might, for instance, make death threats or sell drugs. However, you can change your IP address any time you want. You can also change your IP address on the device itself, and the process is just as easy. You can also change your IP address by typing these numbers in manually. What can someone do with your IP address? It turns out they can do quite a bit, from filling your inbox with spam to conducting illegal activities in your name. Luckily, there are means of protecting yourself, such as antivirus software and VPNs.
Of course, if all else fails, you can always just change your IP address. Whatever option you choose, a secure device means keeping your address protected. If someone has your IP address, they could send you spam or restrict your access to certain services.
In extreme cases, a hacker might be able to impersonate you. However, all you need to do to fix the problem is change your IP address. You can do this easily in the settings of your device, or you can restart your router. The only direct information someone can get with your IP address is your general geographic location, usually your city or postal code. If they have additional information about you, such as your birthdate or Social Security number, a hacker might be able to steal your identity or impersonate you online.
However, without additional information, no one can find you. If you suspect someone has your IP address, the easiest solution is simply to change your IP address. You can do this by shutting down your router for five minutes and restarting it.
Once it restarts, it will assign all your devices completely new addresses. That said, armed with your IP address, someone has the potential to take certain actions against your network.
As such, it's a good idea to keep your IP private from individuals you don't know. It's possible to use your IP address to prevent you from performing certain online activities. The most common example of this is blocking your ability to reach a certain site, or to post messages in forums or the comment section of web sites. In fact, this is the most common way that website administrators ban rulebreakers.
It's often referred to as an "IP Ban. Your IP address can also be used to block or ban you from playing online games on some gaming services. Your IP address can reveal your geographic location. In most cases, this won't be any more specific than your city and state.
In rare cases, it could be as specific as your neighborhood. Your IP address also carries the name of your Internet Service Provider the company that gives you internet access — think Spectrum, or Xfinity. While there's not a lot someone can do with this information, it can be combined with details from other sources to piece together data about your identity.
Knowing your IP address, a malicious user may be able to perform a Denial of Service DoS attack, in which your network is flooded with data. It prevents normal traffic from getting through and overloads the network's ability to function.
However, these attacks are usually directed at large companies or websites — it's rare that anyone would set up a DoS attack on a regular user. While there are some risks, your IP address alone poses very limited danger to you or your network. Your IP address can't be used to reveal your identity or specific location, nor can it be used to hack into or remotely take control of your computer.
First and foremost, your network should be protected with a firewall. Most routers have firewalls built in, but you should contact your router manufacturer or internet service provider to learn about your setup.
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