Why 'Sniff' Out People's IP Addresses?

People do a lot of strange things on the Internet. With this tool for example, some people could use it for good (maybe they need confirmation of who they're talking to), or bad (people could use it for hacking).

I guess it just depends on who you are.
 
there is ways to change your reported ip address, and if your spamming, you don't want to be traced. also, it allows hackers to know legit addresses to try to break into. it can also be used by i.t. guys when trobleshotting their networks.
 
I JUST posted something on this topic a few days ago. I was concerned about needing to (or not needing to) hide/block my IP address. I was basically told that my firewall being ON all the time and Sharing being OFF all the time is enough security. How do people use an IP address to hack into someone's computer? Say I'm at a public wi-fi hotspot with my laptop. How can knowing my IP address give someone the opportunity to hack into my system? Please explain...
 
If they know your IP, they know the "address" of your computer (Or, with some 3rd-party-databases, your address). As long as the door's locked (firewall, etc.), they can't get in, so to speak.
It's easy to find the IP of a website, but that doesn't mean you can hack it, necessarily, if it is properly protected.
 
eric2006 said:
If they know your IP, they know the "address" of your computer (Or, with some 3rd-party-databases, your address). As long as the door's locked (firewall, etc.), they can't get in, so to speak.
It's easy to find the IP of a website, but that doesn't mean you can hack it, necessarily, if it is properly protected.
Click to expand...
Oh, good. Thanks, Eric. :)
 
If your IP is known, it can be scanned for open ports.
If certain ports are open, your computer can be hacked.
Firewall should protect you from this.
 
A-ha! OK, good. Thank you. Funny thing is ... I have nothing valuable whatsoever on my computer. I don't do any banking, personal stuff, etc. on my computer. I just don't want my lovely Mac to be messed with. lol
 
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