Do you know that third parties like hackers can get their hands on your IP address and misuse it? IP address or Internet Protocol address is a unique address given to a device and this is the unique address using which web apps identify you online. Anyone can locate your device using this unique address, your IP address. Cybercriminals take advantage of this and steal IP addresses to attack their victims. There are several ways through which they can misuse your IP address, so it is mandatory to make sure you are safe while you browse the web.
Some websites and apps query their users’ IP addresses to know the location from which their visitors are browsing to show them tailored content. In this case, your IP address may not be misused and it is not harmful. But it is when hackers get their hands on your IP address, you will need to be worried as it can be misused.
This article explains what a threat actor can do with your IP address and how to prevent such third parties from stealing your IP address and misusing it.
What Can Someone Do With My IP Address
Though IP exposure may not pose a threat at all times, it can cause harm if it lands in the hands of hackers and other cybercriminals. Here are a few things cybercriminals can do with your IP address.
Hack Your Device
When hackers get your IP address, they can hack into your device and steal your sensitive personal information. They can use your IP address to know your location and they can also know about the vulnerable TCP ports on your device they can exploit. As you know, any device on your network will use ports and IP addresses to connect. Apps and programs use ports as communication endpoints. As some apps share the same port and each IP address has thousands of ports, when a hacker gets your IP address, they can use port scanners to see the apps running on your computer. This way, they can gain access to vulnerable apps and focus on the same port other apps on your device connect to and launch social engineering attacks. They can send you spammy links and make you click on them and find a way into your computer. This is how hackers install malware, perform ransomware attacks, and steal your data.
Track Your Online Activities
Businesses and organizations use IP addresses to track their employees’ digital footprints. Though it is not illegal for an employer to track their employees when they are connected to the work network, it could be an invasion of privacy for the employees. Employers track IP addresses to prevent employees from using work networks for online gaming, social media, etc. The same applies to your home network, as well; if a threat actor gets your IP address, they can easily track all your online activities.
Access Your Sensitive Information and Stalk You
When cybercriminals have your IP address, they can find your geo-location using IP lookup tools. Though they cannot see your exact location, they can see the city and country from where you are browsing the web. IP addresses may not reveal your home address, name, contact number, etc., but skilled attackers can use network attacks to obtain your sensitive personal information from your ISP.
Similarly, IP addresses provide websites you visit and apps you use, information about your network location. This information can be misused by anyone to track your real location and you may not even know that you are being tracked online.
Launch DDoS Attacks
Hackers can carry out distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks when they get your IP address. These are the kind of attacks where attackers bombard their victims’ computers with data using a network of controlled devices. When they launch such attacks, your device will shut down and disconnect from the network. DDoS attacks help hackers get money very easily. In most cases, DDoS attacks are aimed at popular websites and businesses and these attacks are rarely aimed at individuals. To stop the attack, they will demand a huge sum of money; until they get the demanded ransom, your organization will not be able to access essential services.
Misuse Your IP Address
Your IP address can be misused by threat actors and they can use it to impersonate you for fraudulent purposes. Skilled cybercriminals can route their traffic through your IP address to download copyrighted files, download illegal content, buy drugs online, download child pornography, and more. This way, they can frame you for crimes and it could take a lifetime to prove that you did not engage in illegal activities when the law enforcement authorities come calling.
How to Prevent Hackers From Getting My IP Address and Stay Safe
Now that you know what someone can do with your IP address, let’s see how to protect yourself and prevent threat actors from getting their hands on your IP address.
- Never click on phony links you receive via email or SMS from unknown senders.
- Try using browsers like the Tor browser to browse the web.
- Go for premium proxies or VPN services to hide your IP address and stay anonymous online.
- If you happen to connect to a public WiFi network, make sure to use a VPN for online security and anonymity.
Top 3 Secure VPN Services to Mask Your IP Address
- NordVPN
- Surfshark VPN
- ExpressVPN
NordVPN – #1 trustworthy VPN with best-in-class security features to hide your IP address
NordVPN, one of the most trustworthy VPNs, is our top recommendation to stay secure online and to hide your IP address. This VPN has servers in over 60 countries worldwide and you are free to connect to any server in any country based on your needs.
This VPN will let you instantly hide your IP address and make sure no third parties can see your real IP address. It will secure your online activities, and as it comes with an ad and malware blocker, it will also protect you against malware.
NordVPN offers apps for smartphones, smart TVs, mobile phones, desktops, and laptops. So, matter which device you use, you can instantly hide your IP using this VPN. Similarly, this VPN will not just mask your IP address but also encrypt your traffic and add an extra layer of security.
- 5200+ servers in 62 countries
- Use up to 6 devices
- Next-generation Encryption
- Double VPN Feature
- Strict no-logs policy
Apart from that, it will let you access foreign content from anywhere, which means you can seamlessly access Amazon Prime, Netflix US, Hulu, HBO, BBC iPlayer, and more. Likewise, bandwidth throttling will be a thing of the past with this VPN and you can stream as much as you wish.
NordVPN will be an ideal choice for you if you wish to hide your virtual location from third parties and stay secure online. Learn more about NordVPN by checking out our in-depth NordVPN review.
ExpressVPN – Fastest and security-conscious VPN to hide IP address
ExpressVPN has secure servers in several locations, and you can connect to one of those secure servers to hide your IP address and browse the web using a new IP address. This VPN is dedicated to providing excellent protection services to secure your data and prevent it from being misused.
As this VPN works well with all devices and platforms, you can install it on any device you use and browse the web securely. This way, you can be assured that your original IP address does not land in the hands of data brokers, your ISP, and other cyber criminals.
- 160 server locations
- Network Lock kill switch
- Zero-knowledge DNS
- VPN split tunneling
- Stream Sports online
You can switch servers whenever you wish and enjoy unrestricted and fast access to all kinds of blocked websites, streaming services, and games. No matter what you do (legally) online, you can be assured that your data will remain secure and you will not be tracked online.
You can stay away from attacks like DDoS attacks by hiding your IP using ExpressVPN, as hackers will only see the IP address the VPN assigned to you and not your real IP address. If you are interested in learning more about this VPN, head to our detailed ExpressVPN review.
Surfshark VPN – Unlimited and budget-friendly VPN for hiding your IP address
Surfshark VPN is a secure VPN that offers all the security features at a pocket-friendly price. With over 3000 servers spread across 100 countries worldwide, this VPN will let you get IP addresses from any country you wish.
As Surfshark VPN is RAM-based, you can be assured that it will never store your data. It has also passed audits and has independent verification proving that it is a truly zero-logs VPN service that does not track or store its users’ data.
- Connect unlimited Devices
- AES-256-GCM encryption
- IP & DNS leak protection
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Free Browser Extensions
- Strict no-logs policy
Most of all, as this VPN is compatible with almost all platforms and devices, you can install this VPN or set it up on all your devices and secure all your devices at the same time. No matter which device you use, you can secure it with just a click of a button.
You can hide your IP using Surfshark VPN and access blocked websites and streaming services like Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Netflix US, and more. This VPN will protect you and your sensitive data from data brokers. Learn more about this unlimited VPN by checking out our detailed Surfshark VPN review.
Summary
We recommend signing up for a secure and trustworthy VPN like NordVPN to stay secure and anonymous online. By using a VPN, you can prevent hackers from getting their hands on your IP address.
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