Can anything happen if somebody knows your IP adress?

Question

If somebody finds out your IP address, can they do anything with it like hack you or something? I just want to know what could happen if somebody knows it.

Answer 1

Every packet everyone send out has their IP address embedded in it. The web would not work if IP addresses were hidden.

Your protection lies in how you set up your system and access the internet



There are several approaches



"Security?? - I don't need no stinking Security!!!"

Setup

Internet>>>Modem>>Computer

Firewall - disabled

Anti-virus - removed

Browser - IE

Active X - On

Java Script - On

Access Controls - None

Security Settings - Set to minimum

This box is low hanging fruit. The hackers have it herded into a botnet in less than 10 minutes of being connected to the web



"I don't understand computers, so I don't do anything because I might mess it up"

Internet>>>Modem>>Computer

Firewall - MS firewall

Browser - IE

Anti-virus - expired

Active X - On

Java Script - On

Access Controls - default settings

Security Settings - default settings

This box was protected when new. The firewall helps, but when this box goes on the web, it's like Little Red Riding Hood out in the woods. It's pretty easy to snag this box



"I know I'm paranoid, but am I paranoid enough?"

Internet>>>Modem>>Router (Hardware Firewall)>>Computer

Firewall - Zone Alarm

Browser - Firefox

Anti-virus - Updated every day - Network scanned every night

Malware scanner - Installed and running

Active X - Prompts for user to allow/cancel

Java Script - NoScript prompts for permission to run

Access Controls - Custom - High

Security Settings - High

The hackers might break this box if they really took a shot at it. But why work hard when there are so many easy targets out there?



See what I mean?

Answer 2

Yes and no. Most will not know what to do with it. There's some tips however.



(1) If you haven't done anything with your IP then your IP with be a dynamic IP. This means that when you unplug your router and plug it back in, you will get a new IP - I have a static IP on my computer which allows me to forward ports for certain programs such as Bitcomet - this is handy but on the downside my IP doesn't change - although I can change it to what number i want if i need to.



(2) If you want to have a static IP for port forwarding and your ISP offers you one at a fee - don't buy it. There are two types of static IPs - a proper online one and a local one - ISPs are charging you for a static IP that allows you put your ip online in a Sense - so for example you could host a site on your IP or a server and access it from anywhere.



(3) You should always have security on your computer - This includes an antivirus, an antispyware, a firewall and any extras - Some people recommend using multiple security applications for different tasks - this can be good - but I myself prefer using all in one security suites - such as BitDefender Total Security 2009 - this is good as it protects me from hackers via the firewall, viruses with its anti virus scanner and shield, and spyware to - it also has some handy tools for cleaning unwanted stuff (read more about this on number 4). I also do not recommend using Windows Firewall - it may seem good but it doesn't seem in my opinion to do much - it doesn't ask if you want to allow or deny programs when you first use them - which to me is what a firewall should do.



(4) Use programs to get rid of crap you don't need. For example I use TuneUp Utilities 2009 to do a lot of stuff. It gets rid of unneeded/temporary files left on my computer and by my browser - it speeds up my computer but also removes stuff such as cookies that might be used for tracking - it also detects problems with pc and security risks.



(5) Check for updates regularly. Firstly, you should always update you security suites - especially virus definitions on a regular basis. Check Windows Update for updates to - if you don't have the latest patches your pc may be vulnerable - many people miss them thinking they don't need the crap and often discover they get infected by something the patch would have prevented. I also recommend File Hippo Update - http://www.filehippo.com/updatechecker/ - a little program that scans your programs and see's if it has it on it's download database - if it does it checks the version number against the one you have - new updates may often add new features and looks but remember they often fix bugs found and still around in the previous versions.



(6) I do agree that Firefox - http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/firefox/ is much more secure, faster, easier and more customisable that internet explorer - i've got add-block removing adds, McAfee SiteAdvisor warning me of dangerous sites with reviews and such, something for creating temp emails when signing up to suspicious sites, something that checks links in case they hide a virus and even something that shows me whats behind links.

Answer 3

Yes, but it is nothing to worry about, it is the first step, and a very easy step, to getting access to your network. That isn't to say I have your IP address and therefore I can access your PC.



Consider it like your house address, just cause I have it doesn't mean that I am going to come around and rob you. You may have alarms and security systems on your house, akin to firewalls, and anti-virus on your computer.



So yes it can, but should you worry about it? Not in the least.

Answer 4

If someone really didn't like you and was really determined to ruin your day, you *could* conceivably be hacked.



But let's be honest: the chances of that happening are so slim they're laughable. Your IP address is public information, anyway. If someone hasn't attempted to hax your b0x yet, you really have no need to worry.

Answer 5

They can hack into your computer or router if they know your ip, but theres a very slilm chance of that happening.

Answer 6

this is what to do with the IP handle: (i) write the IP handle down on a bite of paper; (ii) throw it away; (iii) advance up. My pastime as an utility developer is made infinitely greater good by skill of people such as you.

Answer 7

they can if they know what theyre doing.

no worries tho about 95% of people dont know what to do with a ip adress and theyll just forget about it

Answer 8

check your router manual for security setting

Answer 9

No.