SMB Cyber Threat Alert: What Can Someone Do With Your IP Address?
Summary: This 3-minute article explains what an IP address is and what cybercriminals can do with it. Also, learn about ways to hide and protect your IP address. Contact DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) or visit www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to schedule a cyber risk analysis and discuss the best cyber threat protection possible for your SMB.
What is an IP Address and Why Should I Care About It?
An IP address (Internet Protocol Address) is a unique group of numbers that identifies any networked device. Computers and other networked devices communicate with each other via the internet and other networks. Most IP addresses change (unless set to be static) when you and your device move to a new location.
How Can Someone Get My IP Address?
It is not illegal for someone to obtain your IP address unless they use it for criminal activity. However, there are a plethora of ways for a cybercriminal to get your IP address and use it for cyberattacks:
- Letting Someone Use Your Device – Anyone using your networked devices can find your IP Address. Therefore, be sure you trust anyone you permit to use your endpoint devices.
- Through Your Emails – Some email platforms include IP addresses in the header of emails.
- Clicking on Links – Whenever you click on any link, your IP address is sent to the link’s server to allow that server to deliver its content.
- Clicking on Ads – Ads containing embedded links and online ads might be the work of hackers. In addition, such ads can contain malware to threaten your cyber security.
- Someone Hacks Into Your Router – If a hacker can figure out your router’s password, they will also be able to view your IP address.
- Whenever You Land on a Website – The server of any website you visit automatically saves your IP address. If the website is the work of a cybercriminal, your IP address will be readily available for nefarious use.
- When Accidentally Connecting to a Fake “Hotspot”e – When on the move, users must be careful about connecting through random hotspots. Using a fake hotspot can open your network to numerous vulnerabilities beyond the identification of your IP address. In addition, through the hacker’s phony connection, you might fall victim to a data breach of your personal information and malware infections.
- DDoS Attacks – Once a hacker has obtained your IP address, they can infect your network with a Distributed Denial of Service or DDoS attack. A DDoS attack is when the hacker commands an army of computers that work together to flood your network with traffic until your server is overloaded and freezes or shuts down completely.
How to Protect IP Addresses - VPNs to The Rescue!
Cybercrime has skyrocketed by 400 percent over the last three years. In addition, as mobile access work has become a large part of the new workforce model, more access points have created new opportunities for cyberattacks. As a result, the target landscape for hackers has never been greater.
The great news is that cyber security experts have developed a robust yet inexpensive way to hide and protect your IP address. Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, use “tunneling” technology to create your own private network within your network. When using a VPN, your data is encrypted and clandestinely sent to a server in another location. Your actual IP address is hidden. For example, you may be sitting in your home in New York while your VPN server’s IP address through which you are connected is different from yours and might be located in another country. There are other benefits to using VPN connections; however, protecting your IP address and private data is paramount.
SMBs would be wise to invest in the expertise of a cyber security firm because securing private business data is vitally important and a multi-layered task far beyond the knowledge of the average user. VPNs are one of many cyber security defenses to help secure your small to midsized business’s hard-earned data.
Get a DIGIGUARD Cyber Risk Analysis
As your business grows, expands its network and adds more devices such as smart controls, wireless access and remote access, your network vulnerability grows, too. DIGIGUARD specializes in proactive cyber security and network security and has a wide array of solutions for small and midsized businesses to defend against cyberattacks and other network data breaches. They are cyber security experts who can ensure your confidential business and financial data has the best protection possible. Furthermore, they can establish cyber security best practices and train your employees so they do not inadvertently open your company to a cyberattack. DIGIGUARD’s services in cyber security are up to the minute and cost-effective and will enable SMB owners to concentrate on operating their businesses without fear of a data breach.
Cyber Threat Protection
In addition to helping you defend against or recover from cybercrimes, DIGIGUARD can provide solutions that offer early detection of potential cyber threats before they happen. Furthermore, DIGIGUARD can assess your cyber vulnerability and work with you to ensure you have the best network and data protection solutions for your business.
Contact DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to discuss the prevention of cyberattacks and other cyber defense protocols to protect your SMB’s business data and stay current as new and more powerful protections are developed.