There exists a unique IP address for every
device with internet connectivity. An IPv4 address comprises four numbers that
are separated by dots. IPv4addresses are used to facilitate communication and data exchange between
devices. There is an IP address exclusively for a router, and the same goes for
each device on a computer network. It acts as an identifier for each internet-connected
device. This means one can use utilize it to hack your computer. Read on to
know what you have to know regarding it, and the things it could be utilized
for.
What Can Be Done With IP Address?
Almost every ordinary user will not need to
bother about being hacked. A hacker is not likely to make the effort to
discover their address, and thereby, exploit their data or device. They have
nothing to gain from it other than finding joy in tricking the user. Even so,
with access to the IP address of yours, one can do some malicious things
against you. So, it pays to keep it private from anonymous people. By having
access to it, they could do the following things.
Stop You From Being Able To Go To A
Website
Your internet protocol (IP) address is utilizable
to keep you from doing some things on the internet. Some common examples of
this are keeping you from going to a particular site, or posting harmful messages
in online forums or a website’s comment section on your behalf. Site
administrators commonly ban those who break the rules and you might be banned
from these sites. Your address is also usable to ban or stop you from gaming online.
Discover Your Location
The IP address can give your location. This
will not usually be more specific beyond the town and state of yours. It could
rarely be just as specific a detail as the neighborhood of yours. The address also
bears the trade name of the business that provides you the internet service.
One cannot do much with that information, but piecing together data regarding
your identity is possible by combining it with information from some other
sources.
Perform A DDoS Attack
This cyber-attack is possible for a malicious
party who knows the IP address of yours. In the attack, your network would be inundated
with bogus data, and it could keep usual traffic from going through and could
overload the network’s capability to operate. However, the attack is usually aimed
at big websites or companies.
Ways To Safeguard Your IP Address
It might not be useful to someone to hack a
computer or get the IP address of an individual. Even so, some precautions
could help to safeguard your data. Firstly, you have to safeguard your network
by using a firewall. You may use VPN software for an extra layer of protection.
A virtual private network will hide your IP from every outside user, which will
render uncovering it or monitoring your web activity very tricky.