Reasons why you shouldn’t let anyone know your IP Address and how to protect it

Especially during the time of the Covid-19, people began to spend more time at home and on the internet. Fraudsters have intensified accordingly through IP (internet protocol) address. IP addresses are your identification numbers through which you connect with devices. There are ways people can recognize your IP address, such as:

• Getting into your wireless network properties
• Borrowing your personal computer or other internet device
• Through your email address

Fortunately, there are numerous ways to hide your IP address and maintain privacy. You can connect with a VPN (virtual private network) and have a secured server. It routes your online activities via their network and changes it with a new IP address.

What information can someone get from your IP address?

Before proceeding further, we know that you must be thinking that “Should I be worried if someone has my IP address?” or “is my IP protected?” Well, IP address is quite significant to send or receive data online. If someone know your IP address, they can misuse your valuable data like online identity or location. Such information is just a starter, if a professional hacker knows it, they can hack into your system and steal your money, property, etc.

Hence, its highly dangerous if you let someone know your IP address. There are many criminals out there who can use it to launch different scams and cyber-attacks against you.

So, the best way to keep your data and system safe, is to hide your IP by setting up a VPN. With VPN you have a temporary IP address which allows you to surf the web. This can happen without letting anyone know your IP, identity or location.

Why you should protect your IP address?

Hide online activities from Internet Service Providers (ISP)

Internet service providers (ISPs), like ad networks, can track your online behaviour using your IP address. In the United States, there are currently no laws preventing ISPs from doing so. Because most individuals have little choice in their ISPs, but they do have a choice in which ad networks to use, this can put your data at risk.
Hence, your ISP may currently secure your data, but they could later start selling it without your permission. They’re now benefitting from more than just your monthly internet bill by selling your surfing history to advertising and marketing experts.
The only thing your ISP sees when you are logged to a VPN is that you have connected to that network. Everything else will be hidden from the ISP’s prying eyes, including your searches and the new IP address you have been allocated.

To blocks unwanted websites’ access

Some people use IP addresses to prohibit users from engaging in certain online activity. The most typical example of this is preventing you from accessing a specific website or posting remarks in forums or comment sections of websites.

In fact, this is the most prevalent method website administrators use to prevent data from rule hackers. Some gaming services may utilize your IP address to restrict or ban you from playing online games.

To stop ad networks from tracking you

You might not realise it, but when you joined up for Google or Facebook, you gave them permission to follow your browser history in order to give you relevant ads. Some people will find this form of tailored marketing useful, while others may find it obtrusive.

However, you don’t have to quit using ad networks if you’re uncomfortable with them following your every step online. Instead, use a VPN to disguise your IP address, and they won’t be able to detect the searches  coming from your device.

Perhaps you may not want sensitive browsing being accessible by others. Journalists, police enforcement, political candidates, celebrities, and others may fall into this category. You can search anonymously by masking your IP.

To protect your data from surveillance

It’s no secret that certain governments monitor their citizens’ online activities. Also, there’s no assurance that others will not follow suit in the future. Even if you aren’t doing anything wrong, you don’t want to allow governments to spy on you at will. If you value your privacy, hide your IP address from the government so they can’t see what you’re up to. Hence, the best way to hide your IP address is a VPN.

How to protect your IP address?

While there are some concerns, your IP address offers relatively little risk to you or your network on its own. Your IP address can’t be used to find out who you are or where you are, and it can’t be used to hack into or take control of your computer remotely.

If you still have some concerns, here is an easy procedure to help you stay safe. A firewall should be installed on your network. Firewalls are present in many routers, but you should check with your router manufacturer to learn more about your specific arrangement.

Additionally, you can use Virtual Private Network (VPN) software for better security. A VPN hides your IP address from all outside users, making it incredibly impossible for someone to discover it, or track your online activity.

Final thoughts

After reading the above details “do I need to hide my IP address?” is no longer a question. A VPN encrypts your internet connection and hide your IP address fully. Even better, a VPN bypasses content filters and internet access restrictions, as well as preventing third parties, such as your ISP, from spying on your data. Your internet behaviour cannot be traced back to you, providing you with an additional degree of protection.