Much like a postal address ensures mail reaches the right doorstep, an IP address guarantees data packets find their way to the correct digital device. However, IP addresses can become tools for deception. By impersonating another computer system, cybercriminals can carry out malicious actions and bypass IP address authentication to breach all kinds of systems and networks. With implications for businesses, ranging from operational risks to marketing anomalies, understanding and avoiding IP spoofing is a key strategy to prevent many forms of internet fraud.
What exactly is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is the unique address for your internet-connected device on a specific network. This is usually made up of four or five sections of up to three numbers, separated by periods (IPv4) or colons (IPv6).
A standard (IPv4) IP address looks something like this:
192.12.345.67
Typically, the first three sections identify the network, while the final section identifies the device.
An IPv6 address is slightly more complex, with a longer character stream and more characters (up to 39):
268e:a812:2b6c:140a:c7d7:6daf:b26a:7e82
Most networks use both IPv4 and IPv6.
Your device's IP address will change depending on where you connect. For example, if you connect your phone to your home Wi-Fi, you will have a specific IP address. But if you take that same device to a coffee shop and connect via the Wi-Fi there, you’ll have a totally different IP address. And if you use your mobile network, your IP address will be different again.
Without IP addresses, sending and receiving data online would be like trying to send a letter without a mailing address – directionless and futile.
How Does an IP Spoofing Attack Work?
IP spoofing is the manipulation or outright falsification of an IP packet by the sender. It is usually performed using either a VPN, proxy, or software such as malware.
The perpetrator sends a request to a server using an IP address indicating that they are a trusted source. This deceptive practice can trick the receiving system or network into accepting the incoming traffic as legitimate, a process often used by bots or devices infected with malware. This obfuscation allows the fraudulent party to hide their true identity, enabling them to bypass IP address-based security measures or impersonate another device.
Attackers craft IP packets with a forged source IP address to launch a range of malicious activities, which can include the merely annoying, such as spam attacks, to the deeply malicious such as fraud or serious cyber attacks .
written by : spokenperson