Why Is Everyone Talking About IP Addresses?
Computers, phones, servers, and routers constantly send a multitude of data so you can open pages on the internet and get the information you need. But how do they not get lost in the web of requests, servers, and Wi-Fi on the way from the site to your browser? For this, a precise address is needed, and in computer networks, this role is played by the IP address. It's like your electronic house and apartment number – in any network, every device has its unique IP address. It usually looks something like this:
This is the IP address of many routers and modems. Typically, it's a set of four numbers, each ranging from 0 to 255. So, the full range of IP addressing is from 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255. These numbers aren't random. They are automatically calculated and distributed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). But if every device had a unique address made of four numbers, there wouldn't be enough for all of them. Even refrigerators integrated into smart home technology have such an address. To solve this problem, another version of IP addresses was invented – IPv6. It consists not of four numbers, but of eight four-digit hexadecimal numbers, written not with dots but with colons. For example: 2005:0db8:87a2:0017:0c00:8a4e:07a0:7224 Thus, there are approximately 300 million addresses per Earth inhabitant. That should be enough for some time. These numbers consist of two parts: the network number and the host number. What does this mean? It means that devices with the same network number can communicate with each other. If it's different, a router or switch is required for connection.
Types of IP Addresses
Besides the different number of digits, they are divided into several categories:
- Private IP addresses
Used for data exchange within a local network. These are computers, smartphones, tablets, Bluetooth devices. The router needs to recognize each of them, just as the devices need to recognize each other within the network. Therefore, the router itself generates private IP addresses.
- Public IP addresses
Used for internet access and are assigned centrally. You cannot assign a public address yourself. You need to contact the regional registrar for this. All public addresses are distributed among international internet registrars: - RIPE (Europe and the Middle East) - ARIN (North America) - APNIC (Asia and Pacific countries) - LANIC (Latin America) - AfriNIC (Africa) Since the IP address contains specific information about the user, a fraudster can use it for their purposes. How do they get this information? You give it yourself, for example, through:
- links
By clicking on a link, your IP address is sent to the server as the addressee, and the owner of that server will see your IP address.
- advertising
By clicking on an ad, you also transmit your address. And some online ads are initially created by fraudsters to collect information about you.
- web servers
Every time you visit a site, your IP address is sent to the server and stored there. The server owner can find out your address.
- social networks
These platforms collect a lot of confidential information about users, including IP addresses.
Is It Legal to Track Someone's IP Address?
Yes, tracking a user's IP address is legal if it is not used for criminal activity. But this does not mean that your data is safe.
IP Address Security
If fraudsters learn your IP address, they can threaten your security. It's important to understand these risks and know how to avoid them.
What can be done with your address:
- downloading prohibited content
Hacked addresses are often used to download materials under surveillance. Thus, you can be held accountable for something you didn't do.
- tracking your geolocation
An IP address can track the region, country, or city where the device is located. It's not hard to figure out exactly which house is yours. And then they can plan raids and robberies.
- attack your network
The most popular is the DDoS attack. It causes a distributed denial of service, which cuts off the internet. Ordinary users at greatest risk are online gamers, as their screen is visible during game streaming. But most often, companies or video game services are subject to attacks.
- hack the device
A fraudster can check the internet exit ports from your device if they know your address. And having gained access to the device, they can steal information from it and install various viruses.
How to Avoid This?
Always protect your personal information, even if you think you are out of the risk zone. With enough effort, fraudsters can collect any information about you and even steal your identity. Your IP address can be an excellent loophole for this.
