5 Ways to Protect Yourself from IP Address Hacking

5 Ways to Protect Yourself from IP Address Hacking

Your IP address is an extension of your online identity, so you must be diligent in protecting it through unique passwords, VPNs or adding extra protective layers.

  • By Susan Alexandra
  • Sep 16, 2019

Internet Protocol, also known as the IP address, is the identity of your device in the vast world of the internet. All the traffic to and from your device is maintained with the help of your IP address.

An IP address is just like your house address and is unique for each device. On the surface, it seems quite harmless if someone knows your IP address, but in reality, it can be very dangerous.

You are responsible for all the activities carried out through your IP address and cybercriminals take advantage of it. They hack your IP address and then use it for various unethical and illegal activities like hacking someone's account or downloading prohibited content. Your IP address gives the hacker the freedom of using your location for any manipulative task and he can also attack your device with malware.

How can I protect my IP address?

No matter where you are in the world or the nature of your device, your IP address is vulnerable to hacking. Most people are quite ignorant about the security of this simple numeric identity, but it needs to be well guarded.

Here are some practical and easy ways for protecting your IP address.

1. Create Unique Passwords

Your device password is the only barrier that can restrict people from accessing your device.

Some people prefer to stick to the default passwords of their devices, which makes it vulnerable to attack. Like all your accounts, your device also needs to have a unique and strong password that is not easier to decode. Always use a password that is a mix of various upper case and lower case alphabets, numerals and characters. This will help in safeguarding your device against IP address hacking.

It is also recommended to keep changing your passwords after some time for added security and don't stick to the same password for longer durations.

2. Use Virtual Private Network

Virtual Private Network, or VPN (there are also free VPN providers), is the safest mode of using the internet. It is your ultimate solution for all the hacking and malware issues.

VPN provides you an encrypted tunnel for all your online activities, making sure nobody can get access to your data to and from your network. This eliminates all the chances of spying and snooping on your online activities and make it impossible for cybercriminals to direct malware toward your device. It further disguises your actual identity and location by allowing you to access the internet through remote servers, eliminating all chances of IP address hacking. VPN protected networks and devices are very hard to hack and misuse.

3. Restrict All Your Apps

Apps installed on your device are one major source of IP address hacking. Most communication apps like instant messengers and other calling apps are used as a tool by cybercriminals.

It is advised to install minimum calling apps on your device and also change a setting from Public to Private. This way, only those people can see your details who are added in your list. In addition, avoid answering any calls from unknown numbers because as soon as you connect with someone on a call, that person can get access to your device and location details. That information could result in the hacking of an IP address.

4. Be Careful With Phishing Emails and Malicious Content

Most malware and device tracking software are installed on your device through phishing emails.

When you get connected with any site this allows the site to get access to your IP address and device location and make it vulnerable to hacking. So it is necessary to be extra vigilant while opening any anonymous emails and clicking on the links from unauthorized sites. It is also recommended to pay attention to the content of the emails or downloading links even if they seem to be coming from well-known sites and authorized businesses. For most malware are sugar-coated under branded names.

5. Add Extra Protective Layers

Added layers of security is always a plus be it for yourself or your device. An updated version of any antivirus software or anti-malware is a must because it keeps your device safe from attacking sites and contents.

This software detects any ambiguity in receiving information on the device and also alerts you while clicking on manipulative links. Moreover, they also let you know about any fishy activity taking place on your device ensuring maximum protection. A firewall is another security layer and helps you in protecting your device.

These are simpler ways that are easier to implement for the protection of your device. Just a little vigilance can help you in securing your IP address from hacking.

Featured

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

  • AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

    A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.