Can My Ip Address Be Hacked
What You Can Do With an IP Address, and How to Hide Yours
With someone’s IP address, you can learn a user’s general location, and disable some parts of their internet browsing device connected to the internet has an IP address, which helps websites identify your third-party programs or services, someone with your IP address could possibly block you from reaching certain you’re concerned about the security of your IP address, consider installing a firewall and Business Insider’s Tech Reference library for more stories.
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Every device that connects to the internet has an IP (Internet Protocol) address. The
IP address, which is composed of a series of numbers separated by decimal points, looks something like “198. 169. 0. 100. ” This number is used to help devices talk to each other and exchange data. Your network router has its own IP address, of course, as does every device on your network. But because these identifiers are so important, that means a hacker can potentially use them against you. Here’s what you should know about your IP address, and what it can be used for.
What you can do with an IP addressFirstly: most users won’t have to worry about any of this. It’s unlikely that any hacker would take the time to learn your specific IP address, and manipulate your specific device. There’s no real reward in it for them, so unless they love playing pranks, it would be a waste of fact, every website you visit already knows your IP address — that’s how they know to load on your computer, as opposed to someone else’ said, armed with your IP address, someone has the potential to take certain actions against your network. As such, it’s a good idea to keep your IP private from individuals you don’t could:
Block you from accessing websitesIt’s possible to use your IP address to prevent you from performing certain online activities. The most common example of this is blocking your ability to reach a certain site, or to post messages in forums or the comment section of web sites. In fact, this is the most common way that website administrators ban rulebreakers. It’s often referred to as an “IP Ban. “Your IP address can also be used to block or ban you from playing online games on some gaming services.
Learn your general geographic location Your IP address can reveal your geographic location. In most cases, this won’t be any more specific than your city and state. In rare cases, it could be as specific as your IP address also carries the name of your Internet Service Provider (the company that gives you internet access — think Spectrum, or Xfinity).
Your IP address signals where you are. ; William Antonelli/Business Insider
While there’s not a lot someone can do with this information, it can be combined with details from other sources to piece together data about your identity.
Perform a Denial of Service AttackKnowing your IP address, a malicious user may be able to perform a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, in which your network is flooded with data. It prevents normal traffic from getting through and overloads the network’s ability to function. However, these attacks are usually directed at large companies or websites — it’s rare that anyone would set up a DoS attack on a regular user.
How to protect your IP addressWhile there are some risks, your IP address alone poses very limited danger to you or your network. Your IP address can’t be used to reveal your identity or specific location, nor can it be used to hack into or remotely take control of your computer. That said, if you’re still concerned, a few simple precautions can help protect and foremost, your network should be protected with a firewall. Most routers have firewalls built in, but you should contact your router manufacturer or internet service provider to learn about your additional protection, you can use Virtual Private Network (
VPN) software. A VPN hides your IP address from all outside users, making it extremely difficult for someone to uncover your IP address or monitor your online activity.
NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN services.
NordVPN; William Antonelli/Business Insider
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Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he’s also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.
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How to Find Out Who is Using My IP Address | Techwalla
Use the Windows ping command to troubleshoot network issues.
Nothing is more frustrating than turning on a computer and receiving a message that your Internet protocol (IP) address is already in use. In many cases, the process of identifying the name of the computer conflicting with your IP address is very straightforward. For Microsoft Windows users, learning one command can provide a simple method for troubleshooting many networking issues: the command “ping. ”
Verify the Problem
Step 1
Verify that a system has an overlapping IP address. Simply reboot the computer that reported the problem to see whether or not it still reports the error about a conflicting IP address.
Step 2
Access a Windows command prompt. To begin, click on the Windows logo on the task bar or Start and Run for a Windows XP operating system). Then type the command “cmd. ” Next, press the Enter key. This will open a Windows command prompt.
Step 3
Type “ipconfig” into the command prompt. This will display the IP address the system tries to use.
Step 4
Look in the output of the command to identify the IP address assigned to your network interface. The important information will look similar to the following:Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection: IPv4 Address…….. : 192. 168. 1. 119If the IP address begins with “169, ” an IP address was not assigned to the computer, and your network administrator can provide the address does not begin with “169, ” write down the IP address the system tries to use.
Step 5
Turn off the computer.
Step 6
Disconnect the computer from the network.
Use Ping
Type the command “ping -a” followed by the IP address in the command prompt window. For example, if the IP address you identified previously is “192. 119, ” you would run this command: ping -a 192. 119
Look at the output of the command. This will identify the name of the system with the IP address. An example of the output of the command is:C:>ping -a 192. 119Pinging LoraP [192. 119] with 32 bytes of data: Reply from 192. 119: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Contact your network administrator for assistance if you cannot identify the computer using the IP address that was assigned to your If your network is configured to use dynamic IP addresses (DHCP), it should not have an IP address conflict.
If you still see a network IP conflict after an initial system reboot, contact a system administrator.
If I change my IP address can I still be hacked? – Bleeping Computer
#1
Guest_ensure2_*
Posted 04 September 2010 – 12:51 AM
Hi, I visted a guy’s website and I made him really mad. He has my IP address, can he hack me with it? If so, if I change my ip address will that completly stop him 100% from being able to hacking me?
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#2
Darth sidious
Members
248 posts
OFFLINE
Gender:Male
Location:Nottingham, UK
Posted 04 September 2010 – 02:19 PM
You are of course refering to public ip address assigned by your isp if it is static you can’t unless isp has given several addresses to use. If dynamic which means it will change but is no garantee from hacking.
My advice ensure you have a good firewall running and good anti-virus and complimentary anti-malware that doesn’t have real time protection to interfere with av, but you can run scans manually to catch things that may have been missed by av.
Consider using a sandbox.
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#3
Animal
Bleepin’ Animinion
Staff Emeritus
35, 905 posts
Location:Where You Least Expect Me To Be
Local time:10:59 AM
Posted 04 September 2010 – 06:27 PM
so, if I change my ip address will that completly stop him 100% from being able to hacking me? Without more information about the site and what information he may have collected with your ‘visit’, I will say nothing is 100% with regards to the web. Follow the advice given by Darth sidious about a firewall, consider adding a router, be proactive and you should be ok. Practice safe surfing habits.
The Internet is so big, so powerful and pointless that for some people it is a complete substitute for life.
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A learning experience is one of those things that say, “You know that thing you just did? Don’t do that. ” Douglas Adams (1952-2001)
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#4
NpaMA
635 posts
Location:Memphis, TN
Local time:02:59 AM
Posted 04 September 2010 – 11:46 PM
As Animal stated “I will say nothing is 100% with regards to the web”. But, if all he has is your IP then adding a good hardware firewall and a software firewall on the PC should be good enough. IPs are very over rated in it helping a “hacker”. Keep in mind to get inside of your PC, the hacker first has to go through your ISP which are probably running “anti-hacker” tools such as closing common hacker ports, and firewalls inside of their network. Although it could be bypassed, I doubt anyone except people just dedicated to hacking would have any idea. (Translated: The 12year olds from 4chan would probably not know how, or be able to hack it. Most of the people that could bypass it, would be ones with years in PC security. )When it comes to someone “hacking” you, I’d be more worried about him having access to your email address you used to register, getting a keylogger on your PC to get credit card information, posting your password(s) on the internet, and so on.. —EDIT: I just want to clarify something before people start posting their IPs: Your IP address should be treated as personal information, just because I say “most people wouldn’t know how to hack it”, doesn’t mean someone out there can’t use that, on top of other things such as malware to hack you easier.
Edited by NpaMA, 04 September 2010 – 11:49 PM.
#5
Guests
Posted 05 September 2010 – 12:35 AM
If dynamic which means it will change but is no garantee from hacking. I am pretty sure it is dynamic (but I am not totally sure) advice ensure you have a good firewall running and good anti-virus and complimentary anti-malware that doesn’t have real time protection to interfere with av, but you can run scans manually to catch things that may have been missed by the advice given by Darth sidious about a firewall, consider adding a router, be proactive and you should be ok. I want 100% asurenence, not 99. 9%. Firewalls and AV programs can be hacked, I want 100% security. Without more information about the site and what information he may have collected with your ‘visit’Hi Animal, what sort of information do you need? Practice safe surfing lieve me, I have learned my how come if I change my IP address, I am not 100% safe? Please explain in detail, there is nothing on Google about it.
#6
Local time:06:59 AM
Posted 05 September 2010 – 02:44 AM
And how come if I change my IP address, I am not 100% safe? Please explain in detail, there is nothing on Google about I’ve already stated. Hackers rarely use your IP address to do anything to you. So by changing your IP you’re not eliminating the possibility of his site infecting you with a keylogger or some other form of malware. Also, changing your IP is not as simple as just going “okay I want a new IP”. Its 100% up to your provider. They may be limiting 1 IP to each MAC address, you may be assigned a static IP, they can be using a proxy server(so thousands of clients share the same IP), or dynamic IPs. You cannot get a guarantee IP change. The best way to stay secure is to not go crazy and want a new IP or something similar every month, as that offers very little protection. Best way to stay protected is to get a good anti virus, anti-spyware, hardware firewall(such as router), and a good software firewall(install on your PC). And its good practice to use different email accounts for things like joining websites and your banking information. Never use the same password for your bank, or private(important) email on any website, because not all websites encrypt the password. Even if the site owner does not use the information, in the event of the site being hacked there goes your email/paypal/credit card/whatever username and password. They could also get it and send spammy things to your friends emails, which in return would get them infected and the cycle would continue. what sort of information do you need? Although I can’t speak for Animal, some of the basic information would be:-What type of site is it? -Did they ask you to install any special type of plugin? (ex: to view a special feed or something)-Did you have to log-in to the site? -Does the site set cookies, and what where your cookies settings for the browser? -Did you use any security software, to make sure you weren’t infected already? With something such as a keylogger, or hosts file hijacking? I want 100% asurenence, not 99. Firewalls and AV programs can be hacked, I want 100% may seem a bit rude of out of place, but the net is not even “99. 9% secure”. Only way to be over 90% secure is “Don’t use the internet”. To be 99. 9% secure, you’d have to go with Linux, and never use an internet connection. Don’t use CDs, or flash drives from anyone. Computers aren’t 100% secure. Changing your IP does not even make you 10% more secure. Best way to stay secure is to keep a good anti malware programs, good firewalls, and don’t go on sites you don’t trust.
Edited by NpaMA, 05 September 2010 – 02:49 AM.
#7
Posted 05 September 2010 – 05:15 AM
As I’ve already stated. They could also get it and send spammy things to your friends emails, which in return would get them infected and the cycle would, thanks for the reply. Let me explain my situation a bit more. The last time I visted the site was in June. And I have 2 computers hooked up to a wireless router. I have reformated and reinstalled Windows 7 on computer #1 (the one that visted the site) twice. So please explain to me why I would not be 100% safe if I unpluged both computers and reinstalled Windows 7, flashed the BIOS, and reset the Modem and Wireless router, then got a new IP address, why wouldn’t I be 100% safe? And I no longer use the email address I used to join the though I can’t speak for Animal, some of the basic information would be:-What type of site is it? -Did they ask you to install any special type of plugin? (ex: to view a special feed or something)-Did you have to log-in to the site? -Does the site set cookies, and what where your cookies settings for the browser? -Did you use any security software, to make sure you weren’t infected already? With something such as a keylogger, or hosts file hijacking? 1)Wiki2)No3)Yes, I was an admin4)Yes, I got cookies, but I wiped them 2 formats ago5)I used avast when I used the siteThe owner of the site is a total nut, belive me. I became an admin before he showed his true colors. He brags about how he has been arested for threating to murder people, and me. Believe me, this guy is insane. And when I left the site, I blessed him out. There were only 2 other users (who of course also left).
#8
Posted 05 September 2010 – 07:03 AM
I want 100% asurenence, not 99. Firewalls and AV programs can be hacked, I want 100% is no such thing as 100% garantee there will always be an error factor and the crackers finding new ways of circumventing security hardware and software and security professionals closing the loopholes.
#9
Posted 05 September 2010 – 12:06 PM
You answered the questions I would have asked and I can’t make any other recommendations that haven’t already been made. I would merely be parroting the excellent information already given.
I can only reiterate that with regards to the web, 100% security doesn’t exist. Silver bullets against malware or attacks do not exist and if someone tells you they do, come back here and we can sell you a slightly used bridge in excellent condition, cheap.
I can’t state enough that 100% security and safety while using the Internet does not exist. Reputable sites like Time, various Fortune 500 companies who pay millions of dollars to be ‘secure’ get hacked. So to think that your less than 1 million dollar, if paid for, security set up can keep you 100% safe is nothing but a dream. I don’t know any other way to make that point and help you understand what you hope for is unattainable as long as you visit the web. Like any large city anywhere in the world, bad and unsavory people lurk. All you can do is protect yourself the best way known, or lock yourself in a fortress and never venture out.
#10
Posted 05 September 2010 – 01:46 PM
Hi, but can you please explain why I won’t have 100% security from him, if I do what I said I was going to do? Isn’t that equal with moving to another house in another country with a new computer? I never shared my real name, only my age and what state I live in. So there is no way for him to stalk me in real life from the info I provided.
#11
Posted 05 September 2010 – 01:56 PM
Hi, thanks for the reply. I have reformated and reinstalled Windows 7 on computer #1 (the one that visted the site) please explain to me why I would not be 100% safe if I unpluged both computers and reinstalled Windows 7, flashed the BIOS, and reset the Modem and Wireless router, then got a new IP address, why wouldn’t I be 100% safe? And I no longer use the email address I used to join the everyone here keeps trying to stress to you; THE INTERNET IS NOT 100% SAFE. It doesn’t matter how much security software you use, or if you only go to sites such as Google. You can be hacked or infected from doing nothing more then being on the internet. You don’t have to go to illegal sites, porn sites, etc. to be infected or hacked. Just simply having an infected PC on your network could corrupt your router’s DNS/IP settings(although unlikely, but still possible), and by doing that every time a different PC requests a new IP/DNS information, they would get the “hacked”(for lack of a better word) information, and then get infected themselves. Viruses can also spread between computers, without “infecting” the router. Its way too many things to list that could still be used to “hack” you. If you where using programs like Windows Live Messenger, or AIM, a good enough hacker could probably turn that against you. If the guy knows some of the other sites you visit and is a real “hacker” out to get you, he could hack those sites then get your new email/IP/password/etc. Once again, its no way to be 100% safe. 1)Wiki2)No3)Yes, I was an admin4)Yes, I got cookies, but I wiped them 2 formats ago5)I used avast when I used the site1) Good. That lowers the risk of an infection. If it was a illegal site or a video site it would’ve raised the chance of you getting infected or your information “hacked”. 2) Another good sign. If you didn’t install anything from the site – then thats good. 3) Did you use the same password on the site for the email you registered on the site with? Do you know what type of “Wiki” software they where running? 4) Okay. 5) Atleast you had protection. I’d recommend scanning both PCs with Malwarebytes just to make sure, you’re clean. Also post a ipconfig /all in your next reply and I’ll look over your IP/DNS settings to make sure they’re legit. —Bottom line: You can do many things to improve PC security, but any computer connected to the internet is at risk of being infected and the user having their security hacked. You seem to have done many things correctly to try and make sure your PC is secure, which is a good thing. Keep doing that, take weekly(or daily if you have enough free time) scans of your computers, check your router settings randomly, and change your passwords frequently. Always make the passwords different from each other, it’s better to use letters, numbers, and symbols(ex: AFT23$#$ffdg@9) vs a simple word or numbers. I believe the standard “secure” password length is currently 12-16 characters. But once again, after you do all of this: it only makes you more secure. It does not make you 100% secure. Changing your IP address really does nothing. Chances are its in the same range as the other(ex: 1. 1. 1 changed to 1. 8), and anyone decent in “hacking” could turn that against you, by simply hacking other sites you visit then getting that new IP. (note: I’m talking about worst case here, chances are the guy will give up long before he hacks a site to get your information…. )Hi, but can you please explain why I won’t have 100% security from him, if I do what I said I was going to do? Isn’t that equal with moving to another house in another country with a new computer? I never shared my real name, only my age and what state I live in. So there is no way for him to stalk me in real life from the info I look at it this way. Since you compared it to “moving to another house”, i’ll use the same example. Lets take your IP address is your address, you move changing your IP address. However, are you willing to give up the same routines? Sites you go to, sites you post on, your style of email addresses, passwords, if you move to the middle of the desert, hire armed security to patrol your house, and have no real “address” someone could still “get in”. Imagine the armed security being virus protection and the person getting in being a is a crappy example, I know. But it should make the original point pretty clear: It’s no way to be 100% secure, all you can do is do your best and hope that you don’t get infected or hacked. After doing what you’ve said, I think you’re ok, but no one is going to tell you thats its a magic solution to be 100% secure on the internet – or any solution to be 100% secure(except maybe the marketing team for an anti virus company…. ).
Edited by NpaMA, 05 September 2010 – 02:10 PM.
#12
Posted 05 September 2010 – 02:21 PM
Hi NpaMA, you see I am not worried about other viruses, and being hacked by other unrelated people. I want 100% security from this nut. You see I never used my real info besides my age and what state I live in. I commonly use diffrent online ID’s, and I abandoned the one I used to register on that site in June. And even if he did hack my abandoned email account he would only find info about other sites that I have abandoned. Once again the only real info he would find would be my age and let’s say he hacked every account I made with that ID, he would only find my old IP address, my age and state. What could he do with that? My guess is, and I am also using a new email anging your IP address really does nothing. )But I guess he could simply hack every computer on that range until he finds me. So how do I get a complety new IP address? By changing my ISP?
Edited by ensure2, 05 September 2010 – 02:27 PM.
#13
Posted 05 September 2010 – 03:19 PM
By getting your IP, he may be able to even get it down to the city. But other then that, I don’t see anything else he could do. If you’re not interested in preventing FUTURE attacks from others, and just from this one guy then you should be “generally safe” from him hacking you. Once again, nothing on the internet is 100% secure.
The idea of “hacking” PCs, is over rated and A person does not take an IP address then open up a program to gain instant access to the computer. Its many things that have to be bypassed, and pretty much all hacks to a COMPUTER(not a server that can process scripts such as PHP), are done by the user first installing something on their machine, which then contacts the hacker’s computer/server and allows the connection.
All computers on the same network(read: router) share the same internet IP.
#14
Posted 05 September 2010 – 04:01 PM
By getting your IP, he may be able to even get it down to the city. Once again, nothing on the internet is 100% idea of “hacking” PCs, is over rated and A person does not take an IP address then open up a program to gain instant access to the computer. Its many things that have to be bypassed, and pretty much all hacks to a COMPUTER(not a server that can process scripts such as PHP), are done by the user first installing something on their machine, which then contacts the hacker’s computer/server and allows the, I know it is possible becuase I found on a google a tutorial a 13 year old made, that shows you how to hack someone with just an computers on the same network(read: router) share the same internet, I know. I don’t want a new internal IP address, I want a new external other thing, if I do get in a new IP address, and I wipe my computers and abandon the ID I used to register on the site, how can he hack me, I just don’t see how.
Edited by ensure2, 05 September 2010 – 04:05 PM.
#15
Posted 05 September 2010 – 04:04 PM
Well, I know it is possible becuase I found on a google a tutorial a 13 year old made, that shows you how to hack someone with just an IP. I feel 99. 9% confident enough to say: It’s fake. Most youtube videos about how to hack something are fake.
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Frequently Asked Questions about can my ip address be hacked
How do I know if someone is using my IP address?
How to Find Out Who is Using My IP AddressVerify that a system has an overlapping IP address. … Access a Windows command prompt. … Type “ipconfig” into the command prompt. … Look in the output of the command to identify the IP address assigned to your network interface. … Turn off the computer.More items…
Will changing IP address stop hackers?
Changing your IP address really does nothing. Chances are its in the same range as the other(ex: 1.1. 1.1 changed to 1.1. 1.8), and anyone decent in “hacking” could turn that against you, by simply hacking other sites you visit then getting that new IP.Sep 4, 2010
How do you stop someone from tracking your IP address?
Three ways to hide your IPUse a VPN. A VPN is an intermediary server that encrypts your connection to the internet — and it also hides your IP address. … Use Tor. Comprising thousands of volunteer-run server nodes, Tor is a free network that conceals your identity online via multiple layers of encryption. … Use a proxy.Apr 8, 2020
