TL;DR
Knowing your IP address alone isn’t enough for a hacker to access accounts left logged in on your computer. However, it’s a piece of information they can use alongside other tactics. Protect yourself by using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible, and being cautious about what you download or click.
Understanding the Risk
Your IP address is like your computer’s home address on the internet. It allows data to be sent back to you. It doesn’t automatically grant someone access to your files or accounts. But it can be used in several ways, especially if combined with other information.
Steps to Protect Yourself
- Strong Passwords: Use unique, complex passwords for each account. A password manager is highly recommended.
- Avoid easily guessable words or personal information.
- Aim for at least 12 characters with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security beyond just your password.
- When available, use an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Authy) instead of SMS-based 2FA. SMS is less secure.
- Most major services (Google, Facebook, banking websites) offer 2FA. Enable it!
- Keep Your Software Updated: Updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities hackers could exploit.
- This includes your operating system (Windows, macOS), web browser, and any other software you use.
- Enable automatic updates whenever possible.
- Be Careful What You Download: Only download software from trusted sources.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links or opening attachments from unknown senders. These could contain malware that compromises your computer.
- Firewall Protection: Ensure your firewall is enabled.
- Windows Firewall is built-in and usually sufficient for home users.
- macOS also has a built-in firewall (System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall).
- Check Your Router Settings: While advanced, you can review your router’s security settings.
- Change the default administrator password.
- Ensure your router’s firmware is up-to-date. (Consult your router’s manual for instructions.)
- Monitor Account Activity: Regularly check your accounts for any suspicious activity.
- Look for logins from unfamiliar locations or devices.
- Report anything unusual to the service provider immediately.
What a Hacker Could Do With Your IP Address (and what they can’t)
- They *can* find your general location: An IP address reveals the city and region you’re connecting from, but not your exact street address.
- They *can* attempt to scan for open ports on your computer: This could reveal vulnerabilities if your software is outdated or misconfigured.
- They *cannot* directly access your logged-in accounts without additional information: They need credentials (username/password) or a way to bypass 2FA.
Checking Your IP Address
You can easily find your current public IP address by visiting websites like: