What are the dangers of IP exposure?

computer security is probably about 95% user behavior and 5% software security.

A user with bad security practices will regularly have their security compromised either through infections or phishing, or a number of other malicious methods.

(no piece of software will protect a system if the user feels a need to open random attachments in their e-mail, or open mp3 files that end in a .exe or accept everything in any popup message)

having a users IP may help you find their location, or allow you to start a denial of service attack against them but most of the effective attacks do not require you to know the users IP, they simply require a little social engineering to get the user to compromise their own security (which is how the vast majority of infections spread)

First of all every website you visit now knows your IP address. That is how the Internet works. Most of the time there really isn't anything that can happen from someone knowing your IP address as long as you have a firewall either a router or something on your computer. Also, you really should have some form of anti-virus on your computer. You may think you are okay but more likely than not you can get a virus just from browsing the Internet.

an exposed IP address is needed for the internet to work, there are no dangers in having it exposed, if you take the precautions needed.

You NEED to use an antivirus, you NEED to have a firewall (hardware and software both preferably,) You NEED to have secure passwords.

Think of an IP address as your home address, if someone gets your home address they may try to break in, but if you lock your doors they cannot get in. But you need to let people know your ip address so they can send you mail... don't push the analogy to far it will break down quickly.

People like yourself are reasons why there are botnets trying to spread themselves onto other computers and trying to steal personal information. Not all attacks are directed to an individual.

In all fairness the least of your worries is from a exposed IP address, so many exploits though flash and java and the operating system its self is what will really cripple you.

Please, get a nice firewall, get a nice antivirus (i recommend Norton 360, although many will probably disagree)

The worst thing about someone knowing your IP address is, is that they could get an estimated location of the computer with the IP Address. But no service can give exact addresses through an IP trace, and most of em don't even get the town right.

I wouldn't say go and pay for protection. I like the combination of Microsoft Security Essentials and MalwareBytes as well as my routers firewall. Or go for AVG or Avast? All free options.

Also my question is, why no protection at the moment? Surely anything that will prevent harm to your data can't hurt?

Our IP(Public) addresses are exposed all the time,that is how internet works. Whenever your visit a website your Public Ip address is send with your request.Public IP address is the ip provided to you by your ISP.If someone gets your IP address the most they could get by tracking your IP is the name of your ISP and the city/state and Country you are in. That's it. Anything else they have to go through your ISP to get and it would require a court order to get.Visit IP-Details.com to find what are the details others can get through your Ip address. If a hacker or wrong person wanted to mess with you, they could take your IP and do a port scan on your system/network looking for things to exploit. That is not easy as most of the Ip addresses are Dynamic.It will change over a certain period of time or when you restart your modem/router. But, It is advisable to have a good antivirus and firewall enabled.There are many free antivirus like Avast which are good to use.