I'm curious about what kind of information someone can get from my IP address if they use a service like FreeIPAPI. Specifically, what could they potentially do with it, and how concerned should I be about this?
5 Answers
In extreme cases, if law enforcement gets involved, they can trace your IP back to your ISP via a warrant which could reveal personal information, but that's more about criminal activity. For most users, there’s really nothing to worry about unless you're doing something illegal.
Most people can only see your general location and maybe your ISP if they have your IP, but that doesn't mean they can do anything harmful. Many ISPs frequently change users' IPs, making them hard to track.
Honestly, people just overhype how dangerous IPs can be. Most hackers can’t do anything just by knowing your IP address unless they have some serious skills and malicious intent.
Typically, nothing harmful can come from your IP alone. Your ISP is the only one with detailed information on your account. They can monitor activity but need a strong legal reason to share your info.
Exactly! The only real threat could be a DDoS attack, but even that is usually well-handled by your ISP.
If someone has your IP address, they can roughly figure out your location, usually down to the city level, but it's not super accurate. They might also be able to launch a DoS or DDoS attack, which could disconnect you from the internet temporarily. But honestly, most of the time, there's not much to worry about as long as you haven’t exposed any vulnerabilities on your network.
Also, keep in mind that if your router has any open ports or weak credentials, someone could access it, but that’s more about poor security than just having the IP.
Exactly! As long as your setup is secure, having just your public IP isn’t a huge risk. Besides, residential IPs change relatively frequently, so it’s not as straightforward as it used to be.
True, they might be able to guess your country at best, but it’s not specific or reliable.