Given the current system of ip addresses, many users express their security concerns regarding the vulnerability of dynamic ip addresses in exposing their identities and subjecting them to various hacking acitivities.

Internet protocol address serves as the address of a certain device on a computer or internet network. It serves as the virtual location of the users or the devices that they are using on browsing the network. It can possible tell the actual location of the user yet with only limited information.

Before internet becomes popular, all the devices in a particular network actually have a static ip address but because of the sudden influx of internet users, many internet service providers (ISP) developed the dynamic ip address. ISP randomly assigns an ip address from their pool of ip addresses to any online user for a specific period, the time the user spent on connecting to that network. After which, the ip would goes back to the pool and another/same ip address can be generated again when another user connects to the network. In this way, ISPS can utilize the available ip addresses for their benefit yet many are questioning the fact that it is more of like sharing an ip address to other users.

Given the current system of ip addresses, many users express their security concerns regarding the vulnerability of dynamic ip addresses in exposing their identities and subjecting them to various hacking acitivities. Dynamic ip address may be a little safer than static ip address as the latter can be traced easily. It is easier to monitor the activities of those that are using static or permanent ip address as they do all their activities in only one IP address. For those who are using dynamic ip address, the security risks are kinda less as new ips are assigned and generated randomly when users go online. However, some users tend to use ip addresses who had been associated with abusive users that could somewhat limit their activities online.

Security and privacy concerns should be directed to the ISPs as it is their responsibility to keep the information and actual location of their clients, private. The vulnerability of the ip address also depends on the kind of protection the user has on their computers. It is important that firewalls and antiviruses software be installed on the computer to block any third-party access on the computer. Running spy-wares and preventing responses on Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) would also do the trick, as it would disable responses when another user pings the ip address. At the same time, keeping the PC or system password protected would ensure high level of security that I would be impossible to get access to the computer. The use of a router is also advisable as it serves as a gateway of the network especially for those that are using two or more computers from only 1 source or server. It provides a safe way in displaying the devices in which it can show those connected devices as indistinguishable from each other, providing less threats of getting the network or PC exposed. Giving out a lot of information to other users can be very dangerous as they can use that information in tracing and tracking activities.

IP address may no be safe at all especially if safety measures are not practice by the users. It is important to practice safe and preventive measures in browsing the internet to control and prevent other people in getting access to our computers. There are software available that might be helpful in keeping the network or PC safe. At the same time, if you are not confident about your ip address, then it is better to hide it. Hiding one’s ip address would give no chance to other users to track and monitor your activities because you would appear invincible.

Determine your IP address' safety.