With more and more of us getting new devices for the holidays, now is a good time to discuss some good habits and one topic that you might see this time of year is IP address related scams. Have you ever received a phone call, an email, or a pop-up message claiming that your IP address has been hacked, compromised, or used for illegal activities? If so, you might have been a target of the IP address “Hacked” scam, a common cyberattack that tries to trick you into giving away your personal or financial information, or installing malware on your device.
The IP address “Hacked” scam works by exploiting your fear and confusion about what an IP address is and what it can reveal about you. An IP address, or Internet Protocol address, is a unique number assigned to your device when you connect to the internet. It allows you to send and receive data over the network, and it can also reveal some basic information about your location, internet service provider, and device type.
However, your IP address cannot be hacked, deleted, or changed by anyone else. It is not a password, a bank account, or an identity document. It is simply a way of identifying your device on the internet. Therefore, any message that claims that your IP address has been hacked or compromised is a lie.
The scammers behind the IP address “Hacked” scam use various methods to contact you and try to convince you that your IP address is in danger. They may:
- Call you from a spoofed number and pretend to be from a reputable company, such as Microsoft, AT&T, or Norton, and tell you that your IP address has been hacked or used for illegal activities, such as downloading pirated content, sending spam, or accessing child pornography. They may ask you to confirm your IP address, provide your personal or financial details, or allow them to remotely access your device to fix the problem.
- Send you an email from a fake address and claim to be from a legitimate organization, such as Netflix, Yahoo, or Aura, and tell you that your IP address has been hacked or compromised. They may include a tracking pixel, a hidden image that allows them to see your IP address when you open the email. They may also attach a malicious file or a link to a phishing website that can infect your device with malware or steal your credentials.
- Redirect your browser to a malicious website or display a pop-up message on your screen that mimics a genuine error message or a security alert. They may tell you that your IP address has been hacked or compromised, and that you need to call a toll-free number, scan your device with a fake antivirus software, or enter your personal or financial information to resolve the issue.
If you fall for any of these tricks, you may end up losing your money, your identity, or your data. The scammers may use your information to make fraudulent transactions, access your online accounts, or sell your data to other criminals. They may also install malware on your device that can monitor your online activity, steal your files, or encrypt your data and demand a ransom.
Therefore, it is important to protect yourself from the IP address “Hacked” scam and avoid becoming a victim. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:
- Do not answer calls from unknown numbers or hang up immediately if you receive a suspicious call. Do not trust the caller ID, as it can be easily spoofed. Do not press any buttons or follow any instructions from the caller. Do not give out any personal or financial information over the phone. Do not allow anyone to remotely access your device or install any software on it.
- Do not open emails from unknown senders or click on any links or attachments in them. Check the sender’s address, the subject line, and the content for any spelling or grammatical errors, or any signs of urgency or threat. Do not reply to the email or call any number provided in it. Delete the email and report it as spam or phishing.
- Do not visit untrusted websites or click on any pop-up messages or ads on them. Use a reputable browser and antivirus software that can block malicious websites and pop-ups. Do not call any number or enter any information on any website or message that claims that your IP address has been hacked or compromised. Close the browser or the message and scan your device for any malware.
- Use complex and unique passwords for your online accounts and change them regularly. Do not use the same password for multiple accounts or share your passwords with anyone. Use a password manager to store and generate strong passwords for you. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your accounts whenever possible, to add an extra layer of security.
- Educate yourself and your family about the IP address “Hacked” scam and other common cyberattacks. Learn how to recognize and avoid phishing emails, malicious websites, and fake error messages. Do not panic or act impulsively when you receive a suspicious message or call. Always verify the source and the information before you respond or take any action.
The IP address “Hacked” scam is a serious threat that can cause a lot of damage to your device, your data, and your identity. However, by following these tips, you can protect yourself from the scammers and enjoy a safe and secure online experience. Remember, your IP address cannot be hacked, but your device and your information can. Mediacom has partnered with Total Defense to allow all Mediacom customers with an active subscription to our internet service to receive the Total Defense Internet Security Suite for their internet connected devices.
Total Defense Internet Security Suite comes with multiple tools to help you manage your online security including:
- Anti-Malware - To protect against viruses, spyware, ransomware and any other type of exploitive software
- Anti-Phishing - Protects you from phishing attacks, internet fraud, and malicious websites that can compromise your personal information
- Parental Controls - To manage and restrict access to unsafe or inappropriate websites
- Identity Protection - Scans webpages you browse then warn you when you come across malicious websites that may steal your identity
- Download Defender - Automatically validates safety of websites you download files from and scans of Internet downloads ensuring infected files are blocked before they can cause harm
- Social Network Defender - Helps identify possibly harmful links and content within social media websites
