Let’s clarify what an IP address is, what it is used for, and how you can protect it

An IP address is a set of numbers that identifies a device connected to the internet and functions as a digital address, similar to a postal code for a residential address, pinpointing exactly where information should be delivered.

Although essential for the functioning of the internet, ESET, a leading company in proactive threat detection, warns that IP addresses also contain information that can be used against users themselves. The approximate location, internet service provider, and, in some cases, even usage patterns become visible to those who know where to look.

Understanding what an IP address is, how it works, and how to protect it is the first step to browsing more securely

The acronym IP stands for Internet Protocol, the set of rules that enables communication between devices on a network. Every computer, cell phone, router, or any other internet-connected device receives an IP address. Thanks to this address, websites, applications, and services know exactly where to send the requested information, whether it’s to open a page, watch a video, or send a message.

Not all IP addresses work the same way. There are different classifications, and understanding them helps you understand the risks involved:

• A public IP address is the address that identifies your connection to the rest of the internet. Your internet service provider assigns it, and it’s the number that any website or service sees when you access the network. It’s like your house address seen from the outside—what the outside world sees.
• A private IP address, on the other hand, operates within your own network, usually your home network. Each device connected to the router, whether a computer, cell phone, or Smart TV, receives a different private IP address so the router can distinguish one device from another. This address is not visible from outside the network.

“Having an exposed IP address doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be attacked, but it does mean there’s a vulnerability that can be exploited if proper precautions aren’t taken. Cybercriminals use IP addresses in various ways to plan or execute attacks,” says Mario Micucci, Cybersecurity Researcher at ESET Latin America.

Threats and risks

One of the most common uses is location tracking. From a public IP address, it’s possible to determine the city and, sometimes, even the approximate region from which someone is connecting, as well as the internet service provider. This information alone isn’t enough to pinpoint a person’s location, but combined with other information, such as leaked data from a service, it can help a scammer create a more complete profile of the victim.

Another risk is the distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, in which cybercriminals use a network of infected devices to send a massive volume of requests against a specific IP address, overloading the server until it crashes. The scale of these attacks can be alarming. In 2018, GitHub, for example, was briefly taken offline after suffering what was then the largest recorded DDoS attack, with a peak of 1.35 terabits per second of malicious traffic directed at the platform.

There is also IP spoofing, a technique by which a cybercriminal falsifies the source IP address of a communication, making it appear as if the traffic originates from a trusted source. This technique is used to bypass security systems, conceal the true origin of an attack, or deceive networks that rely on certain known IP addresses, and it is precisely the mechanism behind many of the largest DDoS attacks.

Finally, an exposed IP address can be used as a starting point for direct intrusion attempts, especially if the device connected to that address has open ports or unpatched vulnerabilities. In these cases, the cybercriminal analyzes the IP address for specific vulnerabilities that can be exploited.

Preventive tips

“Protecting an IP address doesn’t mean hiding it completely from the internet—something practically impossible if you want to browse normally—but rather making it harder for it to be used against you,” Micucci points out.

The most effective tool for protecting an IP address is a VPN, short for Virtual Private Network. When using a VPN, the connection passes through an intermediary server before reaching the final destination, which means that websites and services see the VPN server’s IP address and not your real IP address. This makes it harder to track your location and adds an extra layer of privacy, especially useful on public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in airports and cafes, where the risk of data interception is higher.

Another important measure is to keep your router and internet-connected devices always up to date. Vulnerabilities in routers are one of the main entry points for attacks, and manufacturers release updates precisely to fix these vulnerabilities. Changing the router’s default password to a strong one, disabling remote access when not needed, and closing unused ports also reduces the attack surface.

A well-configured firewall, whether built into your router or part of a security solution, helps block suspicious connection attempts before they reach your devices. It acts as a filter between your network and the internet, analyzing traffic and blocking anything that appears malicious.

Finally, it’s important to be careful with the information you share publicly. Live streams, online games, and even certain applications can expose your IP address if they aren’t configured correctly. Reviewing the privacy settings of these platforms and avoiding sharing unnecessary data is a simple way to reduce risks.

To learn more about ESET and various cybersecurity topics, you can visit: https://www.eset.com/latam/blog/cultura-y-seguridad-digital/que-es-direccion-ip-como-fucniona/

You can also find other useful preventative information in Venezuela at: https://www.eset.com/ve/, and on their social media: Instagram (@eset_ve) and X (@eset_ve)

You can also find them on Instagram (@esetla) and Facebook (ESET)

Information and image courtesy of ESET and Comstat Rowland

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