Can a hacker really do anything with your IP address?

An IP address does not reveal passwords or personal data on its own, but it can help attackers identify a target for a denial-of-service attack or find exposed services. The article argues that the main risk comes from weakly secured devices and router settings, rather than simply having a public IP address.

A lookup can show an internet provider and an approximate location, though past location errors have led to serious confusion. Attackers may reach devices through exposed cameras, flawed remote-access software or home servers, especially if port forwarding or firewall rules leave them accessible. The article advises checking router firewalls for both IPv4 and IPv6, removing unnecessary remote-access rules and installing updates; it also notes a critical Microsoft QUIC vulnerability disclosed in October 2026, with no reported exploitation in the advisory.