What Can Someone Do With Your IP Address? (2024)

An internet protocol (IP) address is a unique identifying number assigned to a device that connects to the internet. It functions as an online device address―characterized by a string of numbers―used to communicate across the internet. It is a powerful tool that malicious actors can take advantage of to get insights about our online activities, though it is often overlooked by most users.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need about IP addresses and how to protect yourself from malicious actors.

What Is an IP Address?

The IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to a computer network. Think of it as a digital equivalent of a street address or a phone number with a series of numbers separated by periods (IPv4) or colons (IPv6), such as “192.168.1.1” or “2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.”

Internet service providers (ISPs) assign every router with a unique IP address. Having a unique identifier helps facilitate data transmission across the internet. It also enables devices to communicate with each other, whether it’s sending an email, browsing a website, streaming videos or any other online activity.

There are two main types of IP addresses IPv4 (IP version 4) and IPv6 (IP version 6). Introduced in 1983, the IPv4 (IP version 4) is the older and more widely used version, such as 192.168.0.1. In contrast, IPv6 addresses are longer and are characterized by hexadecimal notation, which allows for a more significant number of unique addresses.

How To Find Your IP Address

There are several ways to find your IP address depending on the device that you use. Here’s how to get it done.

What Can Be Done With an IP Address?

An IP address seems like a harmless string of numbers, but it can be exploited by cybercriminals engaging in malicious activities.

Here’s what cybercriminals can do with an IP address.

Location Tracking

IP addresses can be used to determine the geographical location of a device or user. Rest assured, it can’t pinpoint your exact location or home address. However, it can determine the city or region where your device is located. A skilled hacker can use this information to retrieve personal information from your ISP, even if location tracking seems relatively harmless.

Track Online Activity

Employers can use IP addresses to track the online activity of employees, especially when using company-owned devices or networks. Some organizations monitor employee activity to gauge productivity. While tracking employee activities is not a crime, obtaining informed consent may be required by local laws to respect employees’ privacy and maintain a healthy work environment.

DDoS Attack

A distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to flood a website, server or network with traffic from multiple sources. In this scenario, attackers use a network of compromised computers (botnet) to send an overwhelming amount of data on your device. As a result, the device’s performance slows down, becomes sluggish or is rendered inaccessible to users.

Hackers usually launch DDoS attacks to extort money from companies and large organizations. They may threaten to continue the attack unless a ransom is paid.

Impersonation

Impersonation often involves creating fake profiles, using similar usernames and crafting convincing messages meant to fool others. While IP addresses are not the main tool for impersonation, they can be combined with other techniques to make the deception believable.

Hackers could obtain personal details, such as your name, phone number, birth date and social security number. Using this information, they can create fake websites or social media profiles to impersonate you.

For example, a hacker may use IP addresses associated with the victim’s location to buy illegal drugs online or incite hate speech. If authorities discover you, it will be difficult to prove your innocence.

Sell IP Address

Not all hackers are interested in stealing personal information. Some want to sell IP addresses on the dark web for profit. Other malicious actors may buy them for hacking, phishing, fraud and DDoS attacks.

Many jurisdictions have laws and regulations against selling IP addresses. Engaging in the unauthorized sale of IP addresses can result in legal consequences.

Hack Your Device

If a hacker has your IP address, they can use a port scanner to identify open ports on your device or network. A port scanner is a tool used to determine which network ports are open, closed or filtered.

A hacker can identify potential vulnerabilities and gain access to your device by scanning for open ports. From there, they can infect your device with malware, steal sensitive information stored on your device, identify passwords or credit card information and impersonate you for fraudulent activities.

How Can Someone Discover Your IP Address?

There are several ways malicious actors can discover your IP address. Becoming aware of these methods can help you protect your online privacy and security. Here are a few:

• Website visits: When you visit a website, the web server collects your IP address and stores it on a server. Website administrators can access this information.
• Social media platforms: Social media platforms can collect personal information about you such as your IP address.
• File sharing: Peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing may expose your IP address to other users participating in the same file-sharing network.
• Malicious activity: If you are a victim of hacking, phishing or other cyberattacks, your IP address may be exposed to attackers.
• Online forms and registrations: Filling out online forms and participating in online surveys could potentially expose your IP address. Some websites may collect IP addresses of participants to prevent spam.
• Online games and voice chats: Multiplayer online games and voice chat platforms may reveal your IP address to other players or participants. This information may be found in the game’s options or settings.
• Fake Wi-Fi hotspot: A malicious actor can set up a Wi-Fi hotspot with the intent to deceive users to connect to it. Once connected, the attacker can gain access to sensitive information, such as your login credentials or IP address.
• Clicking on an ad: Cybercriminals can create malicious ads that are designed to identify your IP address. For example, clicking on a malicious ad might trigger the automatic download and installation of malware which allows the attacker to identify your IP addresses and take control of your device.
• Participating in online forums: Forum platforms typically log IP addresses of users to monitor website traffic, manage user accounts and enforce forum rules. Moderators and administrators often have access to user IP addresses as part of their moderation tools.
• Clicking a link: Clicking on a link itself doesn’t directly reveal sensitive information, but the website or server receiving the request can log and store your IP address.
• Phishing scam: During a phishing attempt, attackers usually manipulate individuals to provide confidential information which can indirectly expose your IP address. For example, phishing emails may contain malicious attachments. Once opened, your device could connect to a command and control server operated by the attacker which will potentially reveal your IP address.
• Using public Wi-Fi: Using public Wi-Fi networks can potentially expose your IP address to other users on the same network.

How To Protect Your IP Address

Here are six effective strategies to help you protect your IP address and enhance your online security.

1. Use a VPN

A VPN is a powerful tool that can shield your IP address and encrypt your internet traffic.

Your data is encrypted and routed through a secure tunnel when you connect to a VPN server. As a result, your IP address is masked and an extra layer of anonymity is used to protect your sensitive information.

When selecting a VPN provider, opt for one that has a strict no-logs policy, strong encryption protocols and a wide range of server locations to ensure a secure and private browsing experience. You can check out our list of the best VPNs to narrow down your search.

2. Update Your Firewall and Router

Hackers and cybercriminals continuously develop new methods to exploit vulnerabilities in software. Outdated firmware can lead to gaps in security that attackers can exploit to expose your IP address. Keeping your firewall and router up-to-date ensures you have the latest security patches to defend yourself from cybersecurity threats.

You should also change your router’s password with strong and hard-to-guess combinations. Regularly changing passwords is a good habit to safeguard your online privacy.

3. Adjust Privacy Settings

Messaging apps can potentially expose your IP address. A good tip is to adjust privacy settings to limit who can see your online status, profile picture and other personal information. Review and update your settings regularly so that it aligns with your desired level of privacy.

4. Disable WebRTC

Web real-time communication (WebRTC) is a technology that enables real-time audio, video and data communication between web browsers and other applications.

Unfortunately, WebRTC can potentially leak your IP address, even when using a VPN. You can disable WebRTC in your browser settings or use browser extensions that block WebRTC leaks to prevent unintentional IP address exposure.

5. Be Cautious With Online Interactions

Avoid clicking on suspicious links, especially in emails or on social media. Malicious links can lead to websites designed to gather your IP address and other sensitive information. Only share personal information with trusted sources.

6. Educate Yourself

Stay informed about common online threats and cybersecurity best practices. Being aware of potential risks will help you make informed decisions to protect your IP address.

Bottom Line

An IP address is not enough to reveal confidential information, but it can be used to gather insights about your online activity and geographic location. Hackers can use it to track your online behavior, deliver targeted advertisem*nts and launch cyberattacks or scams.

The good news is, you can protect your IP address by adjusting your privacy settings, keeping your devices updated and being cautious about sharing personal information online. You can even use VPNs to mask your IP address and encrypt your internet connection. To get started, check out our list of best VPNs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)