Your IP address online is something like the street address of your house. Websites and online services use this to know where to send the requested material. But what can someone do with your IP if they get their hands on it? Unfortunately, the answer can be quite worrying.
From basic tracking to major intrusions, your IP address might provide access for malevolent parties.
This all-inclusive guide answers often asked concerns to strengthen your whole IP address security, clarifies the possible hazards, and offers doable actions on how to defend your IP address from hackers. Don’t hesitate and scroll down now!
What is an IP address?
Short for Internet Protocol address, an IP address is a numerical designation issued to every device connected to a computer network using the Internet Protocol for communication.
An IP address serves two primary functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing. Think of an IP as your device’s unique digital identifier on the internet. To put an IP another way, what does IP do? An IP address allows devices to find each other and exchange information online.
Sending emails, visiting websites, or streaming movies without IP addresses is not feasible. There are two main types of IP addresses: IPv4 (the most often used) and IPv6 (a more recent variant intended to replace IPv4).
What Can Someone Do With Your IP Address?
It’s important to know that having your IP creates various possible hazards and weaknesses. For instance, in 2018, a massive DDoS attack using IP spoofing targeted GitHub, flooding it with 1.35 terabits per second of traffic, causing a 20-minute outage.
Based on this, you can conclude that there are many things hackers or cybercriminals can do with your IP. Therefore, here is a comprehensive answer to the question of “If someone has your IP address, what can they do?” and you should take a quick look at them:
Track Your Online Behavior
Tracking your online behavior is one of the most frequent uses for an IP address. Monitoring your IP address, websites, marketers, and even hackers’ IP address tracking software can help you learn about your surfing behavior, the websites you frequent, the searches you do, and the material you consume.
This data may then be compiled into a comprehensive profile of your interests, tastes, and internet activity that can be used for anything from tailored advertising to even identity theft.
Launch a DDoS Attack on Your Network
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a cybercrime wherein a malevolent actor overwhelms a target network or server with a large volume of traffic, exhausting its resources and rendering it inaccessible to authorised users.
A DDoS attack might aim at your network if your IP address is exposed. Your internet may be disrupted, your gadgets may slow down, and even your whole network might break from this kind of IP address hack.
For companies that depend on their internet connection to run, this may be especially troublesome.
Gain Unauthorized Access to Your Devices
If a hacker knows your IP address, they may search your network for weaknesses and open ports. Open ports are routes of communication letting data flow from your device to and from another.
Once a hacker comes onto an open port with a known vulnerability, they may use it to get illegal access to your device. After hackers get access, they may download malware, pilfer your data, or even remotely operate your device.
This is why maintaining excellent IP address security practices and keeping your equipment current with the most recent security updates is so vital. The issue of “Can an IP address be hacked?” is not only hypothetical but also actual.
Sell Your IP Address on the Dark Web
Your IP address can be sold on the dark web, a hidden part of the internet where illegal activities take place. Cybercriminals may be willing to purchase IP addresses for a variety of reasons, including sending spam, conducting fraud, or launching cyberattacks.
If your IP address is sold on the dark web, you could become a target for these types of malicious activities.
Identify Your Physical Location Through IP
Although your actual physical address is not revealed by an IP address, it might help you to locate yourself generally. Your IP address will enable online geolocation tools to locate your city, area, and perhaps your likely neighborhood.
Does an IP address show location? Indeed, it offers a really broad scope. You may utilize this data for anything from personalizing material depending on your location to sending focused advertisements.
Still, an IP may also be utilized for more sinister goals, such as harassment or stalking. Consequently, before revealing such information, the question “Is it safe to share my IP address?” calls for careful thought.
Deliver Hyper-Targeted Advertisements
Your IP address allows advertisers to create tailored ads depending on your location and surfing behavior. Though this might appear innocuous, an IP can be disruptive and invasive.
Furthermore, some marketers could follow your online behavior using your IP address, therefore creating a comprehensive profile of your likes and preferences that can be utilized for more forceful marketing strategies.
Restrict or Block Access to Certain Websites
Certain websites utilize IP addresses to limit or deny access to certain materials or services. A website may, for instance, restrict access from IP addresses found in certain nations or regions.
Often used to comply with copyright rules or to restrict access to information judged improper or unlawful in certain countries, this technique is known as geo-blocking.
Send You Malicious or Phishing Emails
Your IP address lets fraudsters send phishing or dangerous emails pretending to come from reliable sources. These emails often contain links to fake websites that are designed to steal your login credentials, financial information, or other sensitive data.
Clicking on these scam links could damage your device and expose you to financial fraud or identity theft.
Overload Your Network With Denial of Service
A Denial of Service (DoS) attack is a kind of cybercrime wherein a hostile actor floods a network or server with so much traffic, therefore making it unreachable to authorised users.
Someone knowing your IP address might launch a DoS attack on your network, therefore risking your internet connection and slowing down your gadgets.
Use Your IP to Disrupt Online Communities
Cyberbullies and trolls may disrupt your participation in online communities, such as forums, chat rooms, and online games, by using your IP address.
They could annoy you with messages sent from your IP address, clog your email with spam, or even get you kicked from the community.
Download Copyrighted Content Using Your IP
Once someone illegally downloads copyrighted material using your IP address, your internet service provider (ISP) may notify you, or legal action from copyright holders might be taken.
This is so because your ISP oversees your online use, and your IP address relates to your internet account.
Reveal Your Approximate Geographic Area
Your IP address may be taken advantage of, as already noted, to estimate your geographic location. Although this material seems innocuous, stalkers or criminals could use it to monitor your activities or arrange a physical assault.
Track Your Activity on Peer-to-Peer Networks
BitTorrent and other peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks disclose your IP address to other network users. Anyone distributing files to you will therefore be able to see your IP address and track your internet use.
Run Customized Phishing Based on Your IP
Because cybercriminals can modify phishing attempts using your IP address, they are more convincing and likely to be successful.
They could email you, for instance, using your IP address to tailor the message and give it more credibility, seeming to originate from your bank or credit card provider.
Collect Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
Cybercriminals could compile personally identifiable data (PII) that is fit for identity theft or other fraudulent activity.
They may begin by compiling your IP address in concert with other publicly available information, such as your name, address, phone number, and social media profiles.
Change or Override Your Privacy Preferences
Using your IP address, some hackers might try to change your online privacy settings so that more of your personal information is exposed.
Cause Lag or Cheating in Online Games
A malevolent person in online gaming might conduct attacks, causing latency or disconnections using your IP address, therefore compromising your game experience.
Exploit Weaknesses in Your Wi-Fi Network
If your Wi-Fi network is improperly protected, hackers may find weaknesses using your IP address and gain illegal access.
Pinpoint You Using IP Geolocation Tools
As was already said, IP geolocation technologies expose your whole location, thereby endangering personal safety.
Use Your IP Address to Hack Into Devices
Your IP might allow hackers to search your network for weak areas or open ports. Once they discover weaknesses, they might access your devices to pilfer data or install malware. Devices with inadequate security or obsolete software are especially at risk.
Commit Crimes by Impersonating Your Identity
Criminals may exploit your IP to carry out illegal activities such as spam distribution or the download of unlicensed material. This can get you wrongly blamed since the activity traces back to your IP.
Use IP to Conduct Targeted Phishing Scams
Using your IP, hackers send fake emails appearing local and reliable. Knowing your location helps them to create more convincing frauds, therefore raising the probability of becoming a victim.
Use Your IP to Steal Personal Identity
By combining your IP with other stolen data, hackers may compile personal information aimed at identity theft. This may result in fraud, including loans or account creation under your name.
Gain Entry Into Your Home Router or Network
A weak router password enables criminals to access your home network using your IP. Once inside, they may monitor your devices, pilfer data, or reorganize your internet traffic.
Because of this, finding a free VPN service that can help shield your IP on multiple devices is highly suggested.
What Can Someone Do With Your IP in Singapore or Malaysia? (Especially Hackers)
If you are in Malaysia or Singapore, you may ask, “What can someone do with your IP in these countries?” Particularly if you use public Wi-Fi or obsolete devices, hackers could take advantage of poor IP address security to start attacks.
Cybercrime is expanding in these areas, and hackers target vulnerable IPs to pilfer data or commit fraud. In one month (from mid-September to mid-October 2023), Singapore saw 206,971 malicious exploitation attempts targeting local IP addresses, showing real risks of IP-based attacks.
Early 2025 investigations in Malaysia found dangerous, sophisticated chips sent from servers connected to a Singapore-based fraud case. This investigation strongly showed that cross-border cybercrime using IP infrastructure and hardware exploitation is real.
Therefore, you should learn to protect yourself from these online crimes. For that, protecting yourself and keeping your IP address safe from anywhere in the world is best done by using a VPN.
For example, you can try employing a Malaysia VPN (if you live in this country) or any other local VPN service where you live.
Local laws also define illegal IP grabbing and illegal pulling of IPs as major crimes; hence, always use your IP appropriately.
What to Do if Someone Leaks Your IP Address
When your IP address has leaked, you should act fast to lower the threats to your security and privacy. While an IP address by itself does not reveal your whole identity, paired with other data, it may lead to greater legal challenges and privacy problems.
Steps to take:
- Restart your router by unplugging it for a few minutes, then plugging it back in. This typically results in a fresh IP address, particularly if your IP is dynamic.
- Request a refreshed IP from your ISP. Get a fresh IP address by calling your internet service provider. Most ISPs are able to assign a fresh one when needed.
- Use a VPN to greatly complicate the tracking or targeting of you by hiding your actual IP address and encrypting your internet activity.
- Turn on a firewall and update security programs. Activate the firewall on your device to ensure that all of your security systems are current and can prevent unwelcome access. Connecting to another Wi-Fi or mobile network will give your device a fresh IP address.
- Check your accounts. Look for unusual behavior on your internet accounts; attackers can try phishing or hacking using your IP.
Following these guidelines reduces the possibility of someone exploiting your leaked IP address, compromising your security or privacy. If you see any continuous attacks, let your ISP know; furthermore, think about getting additional cybersecurity assistance.
How to Protect Your IP Address From Hackers
The most important thing is knowing how to protect your IP address from hackers. These several methods can greatly improve your protection:
Use a VPN
One very successful approach for protecting IP addresses is using a VPN. A VPN hides your real IP by sending your internet traffic over an encrypted tunnel to a server at a location of your choice, therefore making it harder for hackers to find you.
Secure Your Router
You must protect your router. Change the default password, turn on encryption, and often upgrade the firmware to fix any flaws.
Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links
Refrain from clicking on links from sources you neither know nor trust. These URLs might lead to IP address-revealing malware infestations.
Be Cautious with Torrenting
Your IP address shows other swarm members while you are engaging in torrenting activities. Torrenting calls for a VPN to hide your IP.
Limit Device Sharing
Limit device sharing on your network to trustworthy individuals whenever at all possible. Every additional gadget connected to your network increases the target of attack for hackers.
TurisVPN Can Mask Your IP Address and Enhance Privacy
After knowing what can someone do with your IP address in the previous section, you now understand the importance of using a VPN.
TurisVPN is a quick way to hide your IP address and increase your online privacy. TurisVPN hides your real IP address and protects your online activity from prying eyes by routing your internet traffic via our secure servers.
If you are in Singapore or Malaysia, TurisVPN has servers inside Singapore (Singapore VPN). It safeguards your IP address while browsing the web and prevents attempts at hacker IP address access, which guarantees safe usage of services online.
Bottom Line
All in all, what can someone do with your IP? They may breach your security, monitor your position, and start assaults. Still, you can protect yourself and have a better online experience with the correct care using proper techniques.
With the help of a VPN, being aware of the most recent security concerns, and acting early to safeguard your devices, you can help guard your IP address. For more information related to this topic, feel free to visit the TurisVPN blog anytime.
FAQs
Q1. Can someone see what you are doing with the IP address?
Yes, they can. Someone with your IP address may track your online behavior and see the websites you are visiting.
Q2. Can My IP Be Used Illegally?
Indeed, your IP address may be exploited for unlawful purposes such as virus distribution, fraud, or hacking.
Q3. Does a VPN hide your IP address?
Yes, it does. A VPN can hide your IP address and encrypt your internet traffic, therefore making it more difficult for others to track your online behavior.
Q4. Can Your IP Address Show Your Location?
Often asked is, “Can your IP address show your location?” The response is subtle. Your IP reveals your city, area, and the ISP you are using. Though the possibility of being abused exists, this offers a broad concept instead of a specific place.
