IP addresses: How they function and the security risks of exposure

An Internet Protocol (IP) address serves as a digital identifier, similar to a postal code, that allows devices to communicate and receive information across the web. While essential for internet functionality, these addresses can pose security risks if exposed.

There are two primary types of IP addresses: public and private. A public IP is assigned by an internet service provider and is visible to the entire internet, acting as a digital exterior address. A private IP operates within a local network, such as a home, allowing a router to distinguish between connected devices like smartphones or smart TVs without being visible to the outside world.

Security experts from ESET warn that exposing a public IP can lead to several risks. These include location tracking, which can reveal a user's approximate city, region, and service provider, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which attempt to overwhelm a connection with massive amounts of requests to take it offline.