What Can Somebody Do With My IP Address?

If you’ve ever wondered, “what can somebody do with my IP address,” you’re not alone. You may have heard rumors that cybercriminals can steal your identity or control your computer with just your IP address. While this is not necessarily true, certain serious risks can come from not securing your location information. Protecting your private data is more important than ever, and it begins with keeping your IP address safe. Read below as we discuss the dangers of an unsecured IP address and what a cybercriminal can do with it. 

What is an IP Address?

Before you learn the ways your IP address can be put at risk, it’s necessary to know what it is and how it works. An Internet Protocol address, commonly known as an IP address, is a numerical sequence labeling your device or network. This string of numbers is separated by dots, helping give a digital identity to your router, computer, phone, and more. The code itself makes it possible for your devices to communicate with the Internet. 

An IP address can help location addressing, it doesn’t reveal an exact location for you. On the other hand, that numerical code can contain private information about you, your location, and your Internet usage. When you use an unprotected network connection, your private information can become accessible to cybercriminals. If these criminals access your data, they can sell it to more serious attackers. This is one of the many reasons that masking an IP address can increase online safety.

What Can Somebody Do With My IP Address?

If criminals obtain your IP address, it doesn’t mean they’ll be able to your phone number or social security information. However, attackers can still leverage data they uncover for malicious purposes. Cybercriminals with access to your IP address can:

• Use ports to strong-arm their way into a device.
• Target you in a DDoS attack.
• Obtain your general location.
• Impersonate you to your ISP (Internet Service Provider).
• Track your online activity.

If you believe that your connection is at risk, your first step should be to update your network privacy settings. Malicious hackers can infiltrate routers with weak passwords, taking advantage of any possible vulnerabilities. To avoid this, you should always ensure that your network has a strong password. Another way to secure your network is with a powerful VPN that can mask your location from cybercriminals. By routing your location through a secure, encrypted server, a VPN gives you more control over your network privacy.

Can Anyone Find My IP Address?

Unfortunately, obtaining someone else’s IP address isn’t as challenging as it seems. While this is beneficial for IT representatives hoping to repair a device’s connection, it’s worrying for anyone protecting their privacy. Someone can locate your IP address in many different ways, including: 

• Through an email exchange. 
• By using your device. 
• When you click on certain links.
• By hacking into your router or device.
• When you click on an advertisement.
• Through social network posts or messages.
• When you connect to a false hotspot.

Cybercriminals will stop at nothing to get your valuable personal data, which they then sell for a higher price. Keeping your location information secure is an important aspect of preventing serious fraud attacks or similar financial complications. Knowing the best way to protect your data is a valuable lesson, and your first step should be to download a VPN.

How Can I Protect My IP Address?

When a cybercriminal or third party gets access to your IP address, it can compromise your safety. Fortunately, using a reliable VPN can help you protect yourself from potential cybersecurity attacks. With a VPN, you can mask your location and redirect it through a secure server based in another location. If a cyber attacker can’t pinpoint your exact location, it makes it more difficult for them to steal your data. 

VPNs establish secure tunnels for rerouting your IP address, but they also have other benefits. With the right VPN, you can utilize features such as a Kill Switch to protect yourself from potentially dangerous attacks. This function lets you avoid risky data exposure if you lose connection to your VPN. Allowing your network to go unprotected can cause massive complications regarding the security of your data.

Keep Your Private Data Secure with PrivadoVPN

Don’t gamble on the safety and security of your personal data. Cybercriminals are always on the hunt for vulnerabilities, and it’s important to protect yourself from their attacks. When you want to keep your privacy and IP address safe, use PrivadoVPN.

Backed by Swiss privacy laws, PrivadoVPN is a true zero-log VPN with robust encryption settings and world-class security features. Premium users get access to servers in 44 countries across the globe, SOCKS5 proxy protocols, unlimited data, and more. With PrivadoVPN, you can get reliable online privacy and IP leak protection that you can trust. 

Want to learn more about securing your information from cybercriminals and protecting your data? Download the easy-to-use app today and find out why thousands of users trust PrivadoVPN for their online privacy needs.