What can people do with your ip address？
Whether it’s browsing websites, sending emails, or playing online games, every internet activity we engage in relies on an IP address. However, this seemingly simple numeric identifier can also become a target for hackers and criminals.
If exposed, it can lead to privacy breaches, information theft, or even legal risks. Have you ever considered that your IP address might be exposed, or that you could unintentionally become the target of a cyber attack? This article will help you understand how IP addresses work, how others can obtain information through your IP, and how to prevent exposure and protect your network security.
Understanding IP Addresses
Public IP vs. Private IP
Public IP address: It refers to an internet-facing address that can be accessed and routed across the web. These addresses are globally reachable via the internet and are assigned by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). Typically, they are distributed to end users through Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Private IP Address: Private IP addresses are used for communication within a local area network (LAN). They cannot be accessed directly via the internet. Common ranges for private IP addresses include:
Class A Private IP: 10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255
Class B Private IP: 172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255
Class C Private IP: 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255
Generally speaking, the IP addresses that hackers or other malicious actors obtain are public IP addresses.
IPv4 vs. IPv6
IPv4 Address: IPv4 is the most widely used IP version. It uses 32-bit addresses, typically represented as four decimal numbers separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.0.1). IPv4 has approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses.
IPv6 Address: People created IPv6 to solve the problem of IPv4 exhaustion. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, which allows for nearly unlimited IP addresses. It is typically represented as eight groups of hexadecimal numbers separated by colons.
How to Check Your IP Address
On Windows, you can press Win+R to open the Run window, type “cmd” to open the Command Prompt window.
Then type: ipconfig to display all current TCP/IP network configuration values.
By using the ipconfig command, you can determine whether the IP you’re looking for is a public or private IP. You can check your network adapter list and compare each adapter’s IP address. Private IPs will be within the following ranges:
Class A: 10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255
Class B: 172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255
Class C: 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255
If the IP address you find does not fall within these ranges, it’s a public IP.
You can also directly enter: curl ifconfig.me or curl ipinfo.io/ip to check your current public IP.
How Do Others Obtain Your IP Address?
Visiting Websites or Servers
When you visit any website, the website’s server records your IP address. This is because you’ve sent a request to that server, and the server needs to know where to send the response.
Social Engineering Attacks
Attackers may send phishing emails to trick you into clicking on malicious links. After you click on it, they can get your IP address and other related information. They can use other loopholes to steal your IP address. They can even use your IP address to engage in dangerous activities.
Social Media or Online Activities
Posting content or commenting on social media platforms can result in the platform recording your IP address for purposes such as analysis or targeted advertising.
Additionally, in certain situations, others might indirectly access your IP address by making use of information shared on social media.
Clicking on Ads
When you visit web pages with ads, advertisers can track your IP address through embedded ad tracking scripts. They use this data for targeted ad placement, analysis, and user behavior tracking.
What Can Others Do With Your IP Address?
DDoS Attacks
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks send massive traffic to a target server or device, causing it to be overwhelmed and crash or become unavailable. Attackers can launch a DDoS attack on your IP address. DDoS attacks may cause disruptions to your internet connection, slo down your devices, or even cause server downtime.
IP Geolocation Tracking
Once they obtained your IP address, attackers can estimate your geographic location and some personal information. Although using this method the address they got is not always accurate. While they may not konw your exact address, they can roughly identify the city or region you’re in and gather potential information such as your operating area, workplace,and other informantion.
Service Restrictions or Bans
By obtaining your IP address, some websites or services may restrict your access. Attackers may exploit your IP address to interact with specific services, causing these services to mistake the activity for malicious traffic. As a result, your IP could end up on a blacklist, potentially restricting or blocking your access to certain content.
Ad Tracking
Attackers and advertisers can exploit your IP address to monitor your browsing habits, enabling them to deliver targeted ads or conduct market research. They can track the websites you’ve visited, the apps you’ve used, and use this data for targeted advertising or even sell personal data for analysis.
IP Spoofing and Identity Fraud
Attackers can spoof the source IP address, impersonating your real identity to carry out deceptive activities. They might use your IP for illegal activities or to download pirated content, which could bring legal risks.
Measures to Protect Your IP Address
To prevent your IP address from being easily exposed, you can take the following measures:
Use Proxy Servers
Proxy servers act as intermediaries for data transmission, encrypting your network traffic and hiding your real IP address. Choosing a reliable proxy can prevent your real IP from being exposed and protect your data security.
Disable WebRTC
Disabling the WebRTC feature in your browser can prevent it from revealing your local IP address.
Avoid Clicking on Unknown Links
Do not click on suspicious links, especially those in emails or social media messages.
How to Change Your IP Address?
Use Proxy Servers
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between the client and the target server. The user’s request is first sent to the proxy server, which forwards it to the target server. During this process, the target server only sees the IP address of the proxy, not the user’s real IP. This reduces the risk of exposing your real IP address.
Thordata offers over 60 million residential proxy IPs with a 99.7% uptime. Residential proxies provide real IP addresses from all over the world, helping users access global resources. After purchasing the corresponding plan, refer to tutorial and use third-party anti-detection browser proxy tools. Once proficient, users can complete IP configuration within a minute.
Conclusion
The article highlights the significance of safeguarding your IP address to prevent potential security risks. It provides actionable tips on altering your IP address through proxies and other techniques, aiming to improve both online privacy and security.
Frequently asked questions
Should I be worried if someone has my IP address?
It’s not a big deal if someone knows or has access to your IP address. An IP address is essentially public information used to route data between devices on the internet.
However, in certain cases, an exposed IP address may pose security risks. You can refer to the solutions mentioned above, such as using proxy tools to avoid IP leakage. You may also contact your ISP to change your IP address.
How will I know if my IP address is hacked?
Hacking doesn’t directly involve your IP address, but rather the devices or accounts associated with it. Unusual or unexpected behavior on your device, like unfamiliar programs running, strange files appearing, or unauthorized changes to settings, could be a sign that your device has been compromised.
Additionally, if you notice unexpected spikes in network traffic or your internet connection becomes unusually slow or unresponsive, it might indicate malicious activity involving your IP address.
Can my IP address be traced to my home?
An IP address can reveal your general geographical location, and in certain instances, it may point to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or even a particular street or neighborhood. However, it typically cannot identify your exact home address.
About the author
Clara is a passionate content manager with a strong interest and enthusiasm for information technology and the internet industry. She approaches her work with optimism and positivity, excelling at transforming complex technical concepts into clear, engaging, and accessible articles that help more people understand how technology is shaping the world.
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