What can someone do with your IP address?

Your company's Internet Protocol (IP) address might seem harmless. After all, it’s just a string of numbers, right? Not quite. In the wrong hands, it can become a tool to cause serious harm. Cybercriminals can track your location, scan your network for weaknesses, and disrupt your systems with cyber-attacks. The risks related to an IP address are real, from DDoS attacks to phishing schemes and impersonation.

So, what can someone do with your public IP address? How could they find it? And most importantly, how can you protect your company from these risks? Let’s explore.

Key takeaways

• An Internet Protocol address is a unique numeric identifier for your business’s internet connection, revealing its exact location. Without a VPN, your IP address is public and vulnerable to cybercriminals.
• How can someone find your IP address? It can be accessed legally through emails, website clicks, and social media, or illegally through unauthorized device access or social engineering attacks.
• If your public IP address is exposed, attackers could launch phishing schemes, DDoS attacks, or ransomware attacks. They could also exploit your internet connection to carry out malicious activities, damage your reputation, or steal sensitive data.
• Protecting your IP address is key. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), IP allowlisting, and updating network security can limit access to your network connection.
• A dedicated IP address can help protect your business’s identity online.
• Businesses must protect IP addresses to comply with legal regulations like GDPR and CCPA, which keep customer data safe.

How someone can find your business’s IP address

Your business’s Internet Protocol address is more than just a technical detail—it’s a crucial identifier. While it’s necessary to connect to the internet, it can also reveal sensitive information about your company, like its exact location. You can easily look up your IP address, which often shows your region, state, or even city.

While this data is typically used for non-malicious purposes, it still reveals valuable information about your business. Cybercriminals, competitors, or even disgruntled former employees can track your IP address and use it to gather insights, launch attacks, or damage your reputation.

There are many ways someone can access your business’s IP address. While most of these methods are legal, they can be used maliciously, potentially harming your company. Understanding how your IP address might be exposed can help you take action to protect your company. Here is how your business’s IP address could be accessed.

Legal methods to find your business’s IP address

• Through email: Some email platforms include your IP address in the heading. A recipient could copy it and use it to track you or shield their own IP address.
• By clicking on an image in an email: Embedded images can track your IP address when you open them, which could lead to phishing or other attacks on your business.
• Through public social media comments: If an employee comments on social media, your IP address could be traced, revealing your location and making your company more vulnerable to cyber threats.
• Court orders: Law enforcement or lawyers involved in a criminal or civil case may obtain a court order to access your business’s IP address and related data.

Illegal ways to find your company’s IP address

• By physically accessing your business devices: If someone gains physical access to your device without your knowledge, they can obtain your business’s IP address within seconds.
• By using social engineering attacks: Cybercriminals can get your company’s IP address by impersonating someone your employees trust, like a colleague or vendor, and convincing them to share the address.
• By connecting to your company’s network: Anyone connected to your business network can easily find your IP address, as the same IP is shared across devices. If unauthorized access occurs, your business’s IP could be exposed and exploited, risking your data and security.

Protecting your IP address is key for businesses to safeguard privacy and security. Steps like using a VPN, updating network security protocols regularly, and educating employees about safe internet practices can help keep your business safe from cyber threats.

Top risks to your business IP address

Your business's Internet Protocol address is a tasty target for cybercriminals. From phishing scams to DDoS attacks, here are the biggest threats to watch out for.

Cyber-attacks

An IP address alone doesn’t allow cybercriminals to control your computer or impersonate you online. It’s simply a numeric identifier for your device that reveals general information about your geolocation.

However, if threat actors gain access to your company device(s) through a cyber-attack, they can use your company’s IP address to carry out malicious activities in your name. Here are some examples of how this can affect your business:

• Phishing emails: Cybercriminals can send phishing emails from your company’s IP, tricking others into sharing sensitive data or installing malware.
• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks: Attackers can launch a DDoS attack using your company's IP address, flooding a target website or server with traffic and causing it to crash.
• Exploiting services: If your company uses public-facing services, attackers can exploit vulnerabilities to launch attacks on other businesses, using your IP address to mask their location
• Spamming: Threat actors can send out bulk spam emails from your company’s IP, harming your reputation and getting your address blacklisted by email providers.
• Botnet activities: Attackers can add your company’s device to a botnet, using your IP address to conduct illegal activities like cryptocurrency mining or distributing malware.
• Ransomware attacks: Using your business’s IP address, bad actors can infiltrate your systems, encrypt critical data, and demand a ransom for its release while appearing to act from within your network.
• Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks: Hackers spoof an IP address to intercept and alter communication between two computers. This lets them steal data, redirect users to fake sites, and gather valuable information to sell or exploit.
• Dark web threats: Your IP address and other sensitive data can be sold on the dark web. On its own, an IP address isn’t worth much, but it can be bundled with personal details like usernames or login credentials.

Competitor scraping

Competitor scraping involves using automated tools to collect sensitive data, such as pricing, product details, or proprietary content, from competitors' websites. These scraping tools often rely on IP addresses to access and extract information.

Malicious actors may use rotating IPs or proxies to bypass IP-based restrictions, making it harder to detect and block their activities. This practice threatens intellectual property by allowing competitors to unfairly undercut pricing or steal content, which can harm a business’s reputation and search engine rankings. To protect your business IP, you need strong security measures, including bot detection, API monitoring, and IP blocking, to prevent unauthorized access and data theft.

Reputation damage

Reputation damage is a significant concern when it comes to IP address abuse, especially in the context of intellectual property theft. When a company’s IP is stolen or misused, it can severely damage its reputation, even if the theft isn’t immediately discovered or publicly disclosed.

Since many companies only report cyber-attacks when sensitive customer information—such as medical or financial data—is compromised, the theft of intangible assets like designs or trade secrets often goes unnoticed by the public. As a result, competitors or malicious actors may exploit stolen IP to gain an unfair advantage, further eroding trust and brand credibility. Over time, this reputation damage can lead to a loss of customer confidence, decreased business growth, and a weakened competitive edge.

What can IP address leaks lead to?

IP address leaks can lead to significant cyber risks, including IP spoofing. In IP spoofing, attackers alter IP packet headers to disguise their identity and impersonate trusted sources. This method is often used to bypass authentication, launch DDoS attacks, or gain unauthorized network access. While there haven't been many high-profile incidents, the threat remains substantial.

#1 GitHub DDoS attack

• What happened: In February 2018, GitHub, a widely used code hosting platform, faced one of the most significant DDoS attacks ever recorded. Bad actors spoofed GitHub’s IP address in a coordinated attack that caused the platform to experience nearly 20 minutes of downtime.
• Who was affected: GitHub and its users.
• Key learning: Measures like traffic rerouting and data filtering are crucial for mitigating DDoS attacks.

#2 Europol Man-in-the-Middle attack

• What happened: In 2015, Europol uncovered a large-scale attack where hackers used IP spoofing to intercept and change payment requests between businesses and customers, sending funds to fake accounts.
• Who was affected: Many businesses and customers were involved in fraudulent transactions, as well as the organizations’ reputation and security.
• Key learning: Secure your communication channels and email systems to prevent unauthorized access.

#3 Zephyr OS vulnerability

• What happened: In October 2024, a vulnerability in Zephyr OS was found that allowed attackers to exploit IP spoofing to launch DDoS attacks. This flaw could result in system instability or crashes.
• Who was affected: Organizations using Zephyr OS in their systems and services were at risk of disruption.
• Key learning: Regularly update your systems to fix vulnerabilities before attackers find them.

Additionally, IP spoofing poses challenges in cloud environments, especially in systems using reverse proxies. Attackers can manipulate IP addresses to bypass security measures, making robust protection essential for organizations.

Comparing shared and dedicated IP: which offers better security?

A shared IP address is used simultaneously by multiple users, with all data routed through the same server. This setup is common in web hosting, where many websites share the same server and IP address. It is also used in email marketing, where senders share an IP for email delivery. Sharing resources reduces costs but can create challenges, such as reputational risks.

A dedicated IP address, however, is assigned to just one organization. This makes it ideal for secure web hosting, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and services that need a reliable, consistent connection. In email marketing, dedicated IPs give you full control over the sender's reputation and deliverability.

An IP address can also be dynamic or static. Dynamic IPs change periodically and are often used for general browsing and temporary connections. A static IP remains fixed and is better for hosting websites, running servers, or secure remote access.

The pros & cons of a shared IP address

What are the benefits of a shared IP address?

• Affordability: Shared IPs are more cost-effective, making them an attractive option for small businesses' websites hosted on shared servers.
• Ease of use: Shared IPs are simple to set up for web hosting, email services, or VPNs. They typically require minimal technical expertise.
• Reputation pooling: In shared web hosting or email environments, the pooled reputation of users can be a benefit. For example, in email marketing, new senders may benefit from the positive reputation of others using the same IP, potentially improving their deliverability.

However, a shared IP address comes with risks, such as:

• Potential reputational damage: Activities by other users, such as spamming, hosting malicious websites, or engaging in phishing, can harm the shared IP’s reputation.
• Limited control: Sharing an IP reduces control over performance and security, which can be critical for businesses managing sensitive data or hosting high-traffic websites.

When to use a shared IP

Shared IP addresses work well for businesses with smaller needs, such as hosting websites, sending low volumes of email, or using VPNs for general browsing. They’re cost-effective and convenient for starting out or operating on a budget.

If your business needs more security and control, a dedicated IP address is a better option. While it costs more and takes extra effort to manage, it offers better reliability, security, and control, making it ideal for larger or high-demand needs.

6 steps to protect your business's IP address

Your IP address is like a neon sign for cybercriminals—if they spot it, you're on their radar. But don’t panic. With a few simple steps, you can throw up the barriers and keep your business safe from attacks.

Step #1: Invest in DDoS protection

Cloud firewalls are particularly useful in defending against DDoS attacks, as they filter out malicious traffic and block certain attack types.

However, additional DDoS protection measures are often necessary for a complete defense that combines firewalls with threat prevention solutions.

Step #2: Use a VPN for encrypted traffic

Another good way to protect your IP address is to use a VPN. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes through a VPN server. It gives you an anonymous IP address, which helps keep your identity safe. It’s a great tool for remote work, using public Wi-Fi, or traveling internationally.

The best VPNs offer both privacy and speed, so you can stay secure without slowing down your internet.

Step #3: Utilize a proxy server

While proxies don’t encrypt data, they mask IP addresses by assigning new ones for the traffic passing through. This can shield your network from external threats and provide faster speeds, making proxies ideal for accessing streaming services or quick internet browsing.

Step #4: Switch to a dedicated IP for added control

A dedicated IP is an IP address assigned just to your business, typically through a Virtual Private Gateway. This gateway helps control network access, including assigning a unique IP address. It also lets you set user access permissions and segment your network to keep critical resources safe.

With a dedicated IP, your team can access your data securely from anywhere, ensuring that only authorized users can connect to your network. It's a simple yet effective way to manage access and protect sensitive information.

Step #5: Enable IP allowlisting for secure access

To better control who can access your network, you can use IP allowlisting. This means creating a list of trusted IP addresses that are allowed to connect to your system. It helps limit your network’s exposure to possible attacks. IP allowlisting works best with static (dedicated) IPs, ensuring only authorized users can access your network.

Step #6: Train employees to spot cyber threats

Training helps employees spot suspicious activity, avoid phishing attacks, and make sure they don’t accidentally share sensitive data. It also teaches them how to use security tools like VPNs, create strong passwords, and avoid unsafe networks.

Compliance and legal considerations

Protecting your IP addresses is not just good practice – it's also a legal requirement. Regulations like the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) emphasize the need to protect personal data and privacy. Your IP address can reveal much about an individual or a business, making it a critical piece of information.

Using compliance solutions can help businesses meet these requirements more effectively. These solutions ensure IP address protection, align with legal standards and simplify the process of protecting personal data.

This way, businesses can avoid legal issues and potential penalties. Compliance also helps build customer trust by showing a commitment to security and data protection.

Why choose Nordlayer for business IP protection

Your business’s IP address is a key part of your online identity, but it’s also a target for cybercriminals. What can someone do with your IP address? They can track your online activity, break into your network, or launch malicious attacks. Knowing how easy it is to find your business’s IP address, it’s important to take steps to protect it.

Here’s how NordLayer can help safeguard your business operations:

• DDoS Protection: NordLayer’s Cloud Firewall offers strong protection against these attacks, keeping your business up and running.
• Business VPN: NordLayer offers a Business VPN that encrypts your internet traffic, hides your IP address, and ensures secure communication. Whether you work remotely, use public Wi-Fi, or travel internationally, the VPN server protects your business from unwanted surveillance.
• IP allowlisting: With NordLayer, allowlisting your Dedicated IP gives you full control over who accesses sensitive resources. You can segment network permissions, ensuring only authorized employees can access specific servers and network resources.

Take action to strengthen your IP protection and ensure your business is fully protected. Contact our sales team to learn how NordLayer can strengthen your business’s IP security and safeguard your operations.