# What Can Someone Do With Your IP Address? 10 Risks To Know

By [Ryan Toohil](https://www.aura.com/author/ryan-toohil)

## How Dangerous Is It If Hackers Have Your IP Address?

Knowing your IP address isn’t enough to give hackers access to your device or private accounts — but it can make you an easier target for their scams.

> Hackers can use your IP address to trick you into visiting spoofed websites, downloading malware, or giving up sensitive login credentials.

Keeping your digital information private — including your IP address — is one of the best ways to prevent scams and fraud.

Check if your sensitive information has been exposed using Aura's [**free digital footprint checker**](https://scan.aura.com/digital-footprint-checker).

## What Is an IP Address? How Can Someone Find Your IP?

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique string of numbers that identifies basic information about the device you’re using to access the internet. The use of public IP addresses is an essential part of the internet and allows you to connect and receive data from other networks and websites.

You can think of an IP address as a similar identifier to your home’s postal address — in order to receive mail, senders need to know some basic information about where you live. Unfortunately, your IP address can be abused in many of the same ways as your home address.

Here are some of the ways you might [**reveal your IP address**](https://www.aura.com/learn/ip-address-hacked) to a scammer:

- **Engaging with online ads or pop-ups.** Whenever you click on a digital ad, it records your IP address.
- **Visiting malicious websites.** Almost every website you visit logs your IP address.
- **Opening spam emails.** Even just [**opening a spam email**](https://www.aura.com/learn/what-happens-if-you-open-spam-email) can send scammers information about your device, including your IP address.
- **Clicking on phishing links.** Fraudsters use social engineering tactics to compel you to click on malicious links that provide them with your IP address.
- **Filling in online forms.** Social media surveys and interactive forms can capture your IP address.
- **Using free or fake Wi-Fi networks.** Public Wi-Fi is remarkably easy to spoof.
- **Posting on certain forums.** Many online forums and chat applications collect IP information from users.
- **Torrenting files (P2P).** If you use torrent apps to download media, the app will share your IP address with other users.
- **Giving up access to your device.** If someone has physical access to your computer or phone, they may be able to discover your IP address.

**How do you know if your IP address was hacked?** If you think scammers have your IP address, look for signs indicating that [**you’ve been hacked**](https://www.aura.com/learn/have-i-been-hacked) or your identity has been stolen.

## How To Protect Your IP Address With a VPN

The easiest way to protect your IP address is to use a virtual private network or [**VPN**](https://www.aura.com/vpn). This software encrypts the connection between your device and the internet, making it almost impossible to learn your IP address.

Here are some of the common ways to change your IP address:

### On your home router

Most home routers automatically assign IP addresses using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Unplug your router for at least five minutes and plug it back in to assign new IP addresses.

### Using a VPN

You can change your IP address by selecting a new server in your VPN settings.

### Windows 11

1. Go to **Start**, select **Settings**, and click on **Network & Internet**.
2. Select **Ethernet** or **Wi-Fi** and click **Manage**.
3. Choose **Manual** and enable **IPv4**. Enter a new IP address.

### MacOS

1. Open **System Preferences** and select **Network Connection**.
2. Configure **IPv4** and select **Manually**.
3. Enter a new IP address.

### Android

1. Go to **Settings** and select **Connections**.
2. Tap on **Wi-Fi** and navigate to your current network settings.
3. Select **Static** and enter your new IP address.

### iOS

1. Open **Settings** and select **Wi-Fi**.
2. Navigate to **Network** and choose **IPv4** address.
3. Select **Configure IP** and enter a new IP address.

## What Can Scammers Do With Your IP Address?

01. [**Find out where you live**](https://www.aura.com/learn/what-can-someone-do-with-your-ip-address#1.-Find-out-where-you-live)
02. [**Track your online activity**](https://www.aura.com/learn/what-can-someone-do-with-your-ip-address#2.-Track-your-online-activity)
03. [**Send you personalized spam and scam messages**](https://www.aura.com/learn/what-can-someone-do-with-your-ip-address#3.-Send-you-personalized-spam-and-scam-messages)
04. [**Impersonate your Internet Service Provider (ISP)**](https://www.aura.com/learn/what-can-someone-do-with-your-ip-address#4.-Impersonate-your-Internet-Service-Provider-(ISP))
05. [**Restrict the online content you can access**](https://www.aura.com/learn/what-can-someone-do-with-your-ip-address#5.-Restrict-the-online-content-you-can-access)
06. [**Find vulnerabilities that let them break into your devices**](https://www.aura.com/learn/what-can-someone-do-with-your-ip-address#6.-Find-vulnerabilities-that-let-them-break-into-your-devices)
07. [**Spoof your ID to perform illegal activities**](https://www.aura.com/learn/what-can-someone-do-with-your-ip-address#7.-Spoof-your-ID-to-perform-illegal-activities)
08. [**Reroute traffic through your devices (DDoS attacks)**](https://www.aura.com/learn/what-can-someone-do-with-your-ip-address#8.-Reroute-traffic-through-your-devices-(DDoS-attacks))
09. [**Get you banned from websites and online games**](https://www.aura.com/learn/what-can-someone-do-with-your-ip-address#9.-Get-you-banned-from-websites-and-online-games)
10. [**Sell your IP address on the Dark Web**](https://www.aura.com/learn/what-can-someone-do-with-your-ip-address#10.-Sell-your-IP-address-on-the-Dark-Web)

If hackers find out your IP address, they won’t immediately be able to infiltrate your accounts but can use it to learn more about you and target you with scams.

## How To Protect Yourself from Hackers and Cybercriminals

Here are a few ways you can keep your IP address and the rest of your digital footprint safe:

- Use a virtual private network (VPN) whenever possible.
- Switch to mobile data.
- Secure your online accounts with strong passwords.
- Store your passwords in a password manager.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Avoid links in suspicious emails.
- Keep your software updated.
- Update your social media privacy settings.

Finally, for comprehensive protection, consider signing up for Aura’s all-in-one digital security solution.