It is essential to protect your IP address and not share it with anyone. If a hacker or cybercriminal gets hold of it, they can use the IP address for various cyberattacks (see here how to secure your WordPress) . Although the IP address does not contain sensitive information, it can be used to:
Track your location and activity.
IP addresses indicate geolocations. A malicious person can identify the city, region and even street address where you live by the IP address.
Additionally, hackers can view your internet activities. They can track your social media profiles, online purchases, payments, and even your credit card information.
Hack your device
Once a hacker gets into the device, they can install malware to access and modify files. As a result, your passwords, social media accounts, and financial information may be at risk. Additionally, they can steal personal photos or videos and use them for blackmail.
Use your resources or trap yourself
If cybercriminals learn your IP address, they can use it to carry out malicious and illegal activities and trick you in the process.
For example, they may upload or upload illegal and sensitive content using your IP address, which may violate the service provider’s terms and conditions. Thus, you could experience a denial of service or even have to deal with law enforcement.
Should You Use a VPN?
VPN brings you a safer online experience because it hides your real IP address by redirecting data traffic through an encrypted tunnel. So, to avoid encountering any of the above threats, a VPN is a very useful tool.
However, remember that a VPN is not a complete security solution as the company could leak IP addresses. So be sure to choose a reliable provider and check the level of encryption they use.
Here are other situations in which you may need to use a VPN:
Websites and services blocked
Some countries may block access to certain websites , social media platforms and streaming services. Additionally, there may also be geo-restrictions. So, some content may only be available in certain regions due to licensing, copyright, or moral issues.
So, if you live or travel to countries where there are internet restrictions, you may need to use a VPN to access blocked sites and services.
Remote work
Working from home is currently the norm. As employees access their company’s network and resources outside of the office, many businesses implement a VPN for security reasons.
Since data traffic is encrypted, this reduces the possibility of unauthorized access and security breaches.
So, it may be mandatory to use the company VPN if you work remotely.
Using public Wi-Fi
When you are in a cafe or other place and using public Wi-Fi, it is advisable to use a VPN. Public Wi-Fi is free and easily accessible, but the network is open to everyone, including hackers. Additionally, most networks do not provide user protection and do not have a strong security layer.
So not only can cybercriminals spy on your data traffic and online activities, but they can also send malware and steal sensitive information.
By enabling a VPN, you bypass the ISP’s network of public Wi-Fi, hiding all communications from prying eyes and disguising your identity.
Private life
A VPN can also come in handy when you’re surfing the internet and don’t want to leave footprints on the web. Websites may collect information when you visit them, including the time you spent on a page, your browsing habits, and the links you clicked.
Advertising companies can tailor and serve ads based on this information. This is why ads can sometimes seem personal and make it seem like certain websites are following you around the internet.
You can also enable a VPN on your cell phone and other frequently used devices. Your location can be tracked via IP address, even when GPS or location services are turned off.
Conclusion
An IP address is a unique set of numbers that identifies a computer or device on a network. It is a communications system that sets the rules for how computers connected to the Internet exchange data.
In addition to these two protocols, there are also private and public addresses, which can be dynamic or static.
In general, dynamic IP addresses are preferred over static addresses because they provide more security and privacy. However, static IP addresses may be necessary in offices and other places where people need constant access to the same device, such as a printer.