While you’re browsing, the internet also collects information about you. There’s a constant two-way flow of information via your Internet Protocol (IP) address every time you go online or use apps like Slack or Teams. And here’s another discomforting thought: you’re paying your ISP for internet access, but that doesn’t guarantee privacy. They have access to your online profile.
What can they learn from your IP, and how can you limit the information you give away? Learn how to change an IP address to improve your privacy and protect you from cyberattacks with just one click.
What Is an IP Address?
Your IP address is unique. It’s designed to stand out as a beacon, ensuring you send and receive the precise data you need. However, that uniqueness also allows websites, search engines, and other networks to gather a surprising amount of data about you. It is also possible for complete strangers to find your IP address.
Your ISP assigns a unique IP address (a digital delivery address for online traffic) to every device you use on the Internet. This unique IP address is explicitly linked to your ISP account. That means that all your internet activities are trackable. ISPs have access to a complete digital record of what websites you visit.
Your IP Address Is Easy to Find
It’s common knowledge that search engines and website owners track your activities via cookies, trackers, and IP addresses. Websites also store your IP when you fill out online forms, buy something, play games, or chat in online forums or social media.
However, random individuals can also easily trace your IP address:
- They can analyze email headers to get the IP location of a sender.
- When you click on links or ads, your IP address is sent to a server to access the content. That’s just one reason cybercriminals use phishing emails to urge you to click on dangerous links.
- Your IP may be visible in direct communication channels and when using P2P file sharing.
While your IP does not directly reveal your identity or location, you should remember that anyone who can see your IP address can identify your ISP. That may open the door to getting more personal information by approaching the ISP directly.
Are ISPs The Weak Link in Online Privacy Protection?
Your ISP (including your mobile data provider) may have a privacy policy, but these are notoriously inaccurate and obscure. The bottom line is that it is legal (and common practice) for ISPs in the US to log your activities and use the data for gain. For example, companies like Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, and Charter and Verizon have been monetizing client data since 2017. Until very recently, they were even allowed to redirect your search results or even insert targeted advertising for search queries. With their help, advertisers can bombard you with personalized ads and spam based on your browsing history and approximate location.
But, more concerning, anyone can buy the data, including criminals and law enforcement agencies.
Six Ways Your IP Address Be Used Against You
It’s a small blessing that your IP address cannot reveal your exact street or home address. Yes, your IP address alone isn’t worth much. But in the hands of cybercriminals, it can become a potent weapon when combined with other data tidbits or a complete personal profile from a lax or greedy data broker.
- Suppose they know your name or social media handles. In that case they can connect loose bits of information from your digital footprint to plan social engineering campaigns, cyberattacks, or physical crimes like robbery or stalking. For example, scammers can buy or steal your online history, including shopping, banking, and payment methods, to commit identity theft and financial fraud.
- Hackers can use your IP to access specific devices, steal stored documents, or infect your device with malware.
- They can use your IP address to infiltrate your home or company networks.
- Hackers can reroute their criminal online activities via your IP address, creating the illusion that you are the criminal.
- Gamers will be familiar with tales of jealous players hitting opponents’ IP addresses with DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks.
- Online service providers can ban or blocklist your IP. Companies like Netflix or YouTube can use IP geolocation to stop you from viewing content from other countries.
How Can I Protect My IP Address?
VPN encryption protects the integrity of data while it moves from server to server. Hackers may still be able to intercept your traffic, but the encrypted traffic is unreadable and useless. The same goes for your ISP. Your ISP will still see when you go online and which VPN you use. However, because your VPN encrypts all the traffic, they won’t be able to see what you’re doing.
Apart from securing your data, the VPN will also hide your real IP and provide a substitute IP address to all the websites, data-hungry search engines, and apps you use. An advanced VPN also blocks trackers and cookies to prevent websites from harvesting data about your device.
Other steps that will increase your online privacy are:
- Use a reputable antivirus package with a built-in firewall to filter incoming threats and prevent the installation of malicious software.
- Avoid clicking on links in emails and ads on social media. The links expose your IP and could lead you to scam websites or infect your device with malware.
- Use privacy-focused browsers like Tor, Brave, or Firefox that block trackers and cookies. They won’t hide your IP though, so you’ll still need to use a VPN for that.
What Have We Learned
Internet users face security risks if they reveal their IP addresses indiscriminately, but you can use a VPN to hide your true IP address from websites, search engines, and bad actors. As a bonus, a VPN encrypts your data before sending it. A VPN with strong encryption will make your data unreadable to anyone who intercepts it. It will significantly improve your cybersecurity by protecting passwords and sensitive data from hackers. Lastly, a trustworthy VPN protects people from ISP surveillance. It’s one of the most reliable and easiest ways to protect data from ISPs and other information-greedy third parties.
