What can be done with an IP address? a simple question but the answer is not
so simple. Some of you may already be known about IP addresses. An IP
address is like your internet address, every device which is connected to an internet or computer network has a unique IP address, such as your mobile
phone, computer, printer and many more which is connected to the internet or a
computer network has a unique IP address.
IP addresses are written in a human-readable form such as 172.54.256.1, i will not
go deep about ip addresses in this article. you can learn more about IP
addresses from
wikipedia. In This
article you will learn that what can be done with an IP address of a
smartphone or device, you will learn that how a simple numerical digit can
help unethical hackers and how to protect from this.
How To Find Your IP address
It is very easy to find your IP address, just open
google and search for "my IP address", in the
result page you can see your IP address easily. If you don't want to use
google then you can just see your IP address by opening
myip.com in browser.
What can be done with an IP address?
IP address are like your address, its just a number but it can give many use
full information about the device, location, ISP, and many more. Your IP
address can be used by many websites, apps, webapps, to identify you and to
give best experience. But IP addresses also can be used by hackers to give you
worst experience, ya in this post you will get information about how hackers
can find & use your IP address.
How can someone get your IP address?
IP address contains valuable information about you, your identity, and your
device, so hackers can use it for malicious purpose. There are many ways
people can get your IP address easily. Here are most common ways that used for
finding someones IP address.
From A Link
This is very easy way to find someones IP address easily. Hackers can send you
a link through social media, email, message, that tracks IP addresses, when
you will click on that link hacker will get your IP address instantly. There
are most of sites in internet who provides these service of creating a link to
capture someones IP address.
By Sending an Email
When you send a email or reply a email to someone then the receiver can see
your IP address by checking the header of message. Header of the message can
contain IP address , some email services like yahoo, Microsoft outlook know to
include IP address in header of a email.
Using Torrent files
When you use a torrent to download a file then the every member of swarm(total
seeders and lechers) can see your IP address easily by accessing the list of
peers.
By Using Your Device
If someone borrow your smartphone, PC for use then they can check your IP
address easily by searching on google as i told you above in this post.
These are the common possible ways can be used by someone to find your IP
address without knowing you.
What can hackers do with your IP address
IP addresses can be used in many ways to fin information about you, here are
some possible things someone can do with your IP address.
People Can Find Your Location
By finding your IP address someone can find your location in seconds. There
are many free websites in the internet that can track a IP address and reveal
sensitive info about you for free, its funny but its true. Hacker can get your
current city location easily by your IP address and also hacker can sell this
info to other criminals they can rude your Privacy
Anyone can get your ISP information
Using IP address people can get information about your internet service
provider or sim card easily. But by IP address they can not see your phone
number.
Hackers can hack your device
Hackers can brute force your IP address with different ports, internet uses
ports to connect. Hackers can perform a brute force on your IP address with
different ports and can gain access to your device.After hacking your device
they can easily steal your valuable, private information, and it can be very
dangerous for you.
Someone can try to impersonate you
IP address can reveal your location, ISP details and many other info. A
criminal can use these information to impersonate you. Hackers can perform
vishing attacks.
Cyber criminals can use to do crime
Hackers use hacked IP address to do illegal works, such as downloading illegal
files, breaking securities, and many other crimes that can be dangerous for
national security. Using your hacked IP address cyber criminals can frame you
for illegal activity.
How To Protect Yourself
You should always protect your online identity, Hyperactive online users are
more vulnerable. Here are some ways to protect your IP address and device
from being hacked
Use a VPN
VPN
is best way to protect your real ip address easily. VPN apps and software are
available for free in app stores. Most free VPN like proton vpn, express
vpn, are good for use. If you want high security then you should use a good
paid vpn such as Nord VPN.
Avoid clicking on Anonymous Links
Don't click on links that are send you by any anonymous person. Use VPN to
click on such a link that are specious and sent you anonymously.
Don't reply unknown emails
Sometime we get unknown emails from different email addresses, you should not
reply these emails and also don't click on any link that are embedded there.
Just mark them as SPAM.
Update Your Router settings
Hackers can access WiFi routers easily so you should not use default settings
for the routers. Change password of your router every week. Use strong and
long password for your router. If it is your home/private router then always
make it password protected. Always update router and computer firewall.
Use Strong Privacy Settings
Use strong privacy settings for your social media accounts. Don't accept
online calls from unknown persons on any instant messaging platform such as
skype, messenger. Hackers can retrieve your IP address using Skype. Better to
use VPN.
Conclusion
Your Privacy in your hand cyber criminals can target your device any time,
protect yourself by applying above methods. Use VPN for better protection.
Read more tutorials about
cyber security
in this site. Share this article with your friends. Protect your IP address
and yourself.