How To Protect Your IP Address

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You can protect your IP address by hiding it and masking your location to prevent cybercriminals from impersonating or tracking you. An IP address, also called an Internet Protocol address, is a series of unique numbers that identifies your device on the internet or the network it’s connected to. Your IP address allows information to be sent across a network and distinguishes your device from others on the internet. Since your IP address reveals identifying information about you, it is important to protect it how to build phone number list because cybercriminals can use it to track you or target you with scams.

Continue reading to learn what may happen if you don’t protect your IP address and how to hide it from people with bad intentions.

What happens if you don’t protect your IP address?
If you don’t protect your IP address, cybercriminals can do the following:



Track your location: Someone with your IP address can determine your geographical location, narrowing it down to your state, city or even ZIP code. Even though your IP address will not reveal your exact location, cybercriminals can use the information it provides to conduct further research. They may publish the information they find about you online in a process called doxxing.
Exploit your IP address: Using your IP address, a cybercriminal can download illegal content, including pirated games or inappropriate videos. If that illegal activity is traced to your IP address, it could be difficult to prove that you were not responsible for those actions.
Target your network: Failing to protect your IP address can also lead to your home WiFi network being hacked. For example, if the IP address of your computer is compromised, a cybercriminal may be able to find other devices connected to your same home WiFi network and attempt to hack them.