IP addresses are one of the main tools that make online life possible. Not only do they connect us to the internet and tell sites who we are, but they also keep us secure.
All technology that connects to the internet has an IP address: so you must understand them and can protect yours when necessary. Here’s everything you need to do about them.
What Information Do IP Addresses Store?
IP addresses generally store where you are and what your service provider is. They can also show a trail of what sites you visited within the last couple of weeks since they only change this often.
By your location, they don’t show your home address, but they do show what city the nearest server you are connecting to is in. It means that if you are in a small town like Spring outside of Houston, it might say you are in Houston.
They also state who your service provider is. It can help track you down if you’ve done illegal things online, but it can also be a tool against you if someone has bad intentions.
What Can Someone Do With This Information?
If someone else is able to do an IP address lookup on you, they’ll be able to do a lot more than just figure out the general area you’re in! If someone has your IP and wants information, they can work to find what other sites you’ve been to and possibly what other accounts you have online. It can be embarrassing for some users, for obvious reasons, but it can also be a huge security issue if you’re trying to stay anonymous.
If an employer gets this information, they can track whether you’ve been working from the city you say you’re in. Which means if you moved during the pandemic (due to property prices), they could fire you for being too far away. This has happened multiple times since 2020 and is a real fear for some home-based workers.
How Can You Protect Your IP Addresses?
You must protect your IP address. A safe way to do this is to be proactive with it. Avoid clicking any links you don’t recognize, and be careful about whom you talk to online.
If you are cautious, you should consider getting a VPN. The service will disguise your IP address with an IP originating from a different city mapped to another internet service provider. So you do not have to fear being found or your information being stolen and misused. You could still get in trouble if you do anything illegal using one of these, but they do protect you more from scammers.
Getting Familiar With How IP Addresses Work is Important!
IP addresses are one of the most important parts of modern technology. If you want to make the most out of your relationship with it and be safe when you’re online, make sure to be proactive and avoid clicking any unknown links or landing on websites you don’t know.
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