Digital connectivity heavily relies on IP addresses (Internet Protocol) to route traffic across the web. However, using a public IP address can pose security risks and challenges.
This article explores the reasons why using a public IP address is not always recommended and the safer alternatives available to ensure online privacy and security.
What is a Public IP Address?
A public IP address is a unique 32-bit number that identifies a device connected to the Internet. It consists of four octets, each ranging from 0 to 255. Public IP addresses are assigned by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to their clients’ devices.
For example, a typical public IP address looks like this: 203.0.113.25. It is used to direct traffic to and from that device on the internet.
Public IP addresses are used to route data between devices on the network. When you visit a website, your device sends a request to the website’s server.
The server responds to the request by sending data to your device. The data is routed through the network based on the public IP addresses of the devices involved.
Risks of Using a Public IP Address
Public IP addresses pose several security risks. These risks include:
- Loss of data privacy: A public IP address can be used to identify the geographic location of the connected device. This can allow cybercriminals to track an individual’s online activities or target specific attacks.
- Exposure to attacks: Public IP addresses expose devices to various types of attacks, such as DDoS attacks or identity spoofing.
DDoS Attacks
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks are attacks where an attacker overwhelms a server or network with a large volume of traffic. This can cause the server or network to crash, preventing legitimate users from accessing services.
DDoS attacks can be launched against any device connected to the internet, including devices with public IP addresses. Cybercriminals can use public IP addresses to identify vulnerable devices and target them with DDoS attacks.
Identity Spoofing
Identity spoofing is a form of fraud where a person impersonates someone else. Cybercriminals can use public IP addresses to spoof someone’s identity and gain access to their online accounts.
Cybercriminals can obtain a person’s public IP address by intercepting their internet traffic. They can then use this IP address to log into online services using the victim’s username and password.
How can someone find your public IP address?
The truth is, your public IP address is not that hard to locate. Since it is not considered personally identifiable information (PII), most companies and services don’t take extra precautions to hide it. As a result, someone can obtain your IP address from several sources, including:
- Your email: Some email servers list your IP address in the email header. If this concerns you, look for email services that don’t do this, such as Gmail.
- Phishing attacks: Responding to phishing attacks or clicking on fraudulent links can expose your IP address to hackers.
- Online advertisements: A link doesn’t have to be fake to collect your IP address. Even legitimate ads can log this information if you click on them. This is known as adware.
- Your computer: This may seem obvious, but if you lend your device to someone, even for a minute or two, that person can easily find your IP address in the device settings.
Impacts on Privacy and Confidentiality
Exploiting a public IP address can have significant impacts on individuals’ privacy. It can reveal sensitive information such as the approximate geographical location of the user and their browsing habits.
Businesses may collect and analyze this data to target users with personalized ads, but this practice raises privacy concerns.
Alternative solutions to using a public IP address
Several alternative solutions exist to avoid the direct use of a public IP address. These solutions include:
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): VPNs encrypt internet traffic and route it through an intermediary server. This masks the public IP address of the connected device.
- Proxies: Proxies are intermediary servers that act between devices and websites. They can be used to mask the public IP address of the connected device.
- Tor Networks: Tor networks are anonymized networks that use cascading routing to hide the public IP address of the connected device.
Tips and Best Practices
Here are some practical tips for securing online connections without compromising convenience:
- Use a VPN: VPNs are one of the most effective solutions for protecting data privacy and reducing exposure to cyberattacks.
Our HâpyVPN Solution
Explore the power of secure connectivity with HâpyVPN, your essential partner for an uncompromised industrial VPN experience.
- Update your software: Software updates often include security patches that can help protect your devices from attacks.
- Use antivirus software: An antivirus can help protect your devices from malware, which can be used to launch attacks.
- Update your firewall and router: Hackers and cybercriminals continuously develop new methods to exploit software vulnerabilities. Outdated firmware can create security flaws that attackers can exploit to expose your IP address.
By keeping your firewall and router up to date, you ensure that you have the latest security patches to defend against cybersecurity threats.
You should also change your router password to strong and hard-to-guess combinations. Regularly changing passwords is a good habit to protect your online privacy.
Be cautious with your data: Do not share your personal information with people or websites you do not know.
Conclusion
In summary, while public IP addresses are necessary for data routing on the internet, their direct use can pose security and privacy risks. It is essential to raise awareness among users about more secure alternatives available for safely browsing the web.
Explore the benefits of HâpyCo, the unmatched solution for connecting your infrastructure with exceptional performance, enhanced security, and unwavering reliability.
