On online games, how do some people find other players IP address? Are they hacking or using some sort of “tool”?
Finding another player's IP address in online games can occur through various methods, some of which may involve unethical practices or specific tools. Here’s an overview of how this can happen:
Methods of IP Address Discovery
Peer-to-Peer Connections: Many online games use peer-to-peer (P2P) connections. In these cases, players connect directly to each other, which can expose their IP addresses to others in the game. This is especially common in games that feature voice chat systems or direct player connections
Network Tools: Players can utilize network monitoring tools such as the Windows command line utility netstat to find IP addresses of game servers they are connected to. By running commands like netstat -n, users can see active connections and identify the IP addresses associated with those connections
Clicking Malicious Links: Cybercriminals may trick players into clicking on links that log their IP addresses. These links can be disguised as legitimate, but once clicked, they reveal the user's IP address to the malicious actor
Public Wi-Fi Vulnerabilities: Using public Wi-Fi networks can expose a player's IP address to anyone monitoring the network. Hackers can intercept traffic and discover connected devices' IPs, making players vulnerable to attacks
Online Forums and Game Platforms: Participating in online discussions or gaming platforms often requires posting messages that include your IP address in server logs, which administrators can access
IP Grabbers: Some tools, known as IP grabbers, generate links that track users who click them, collecting their IP addresses and other data. These tools are often used in phishing schemes
Risks Associated with Exposing Your IP Address
Once someone has access to your IP address, they could potentially:
Launch DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks against you.
Track your online activities.
Attempt identity theft by correlating your IP with other personal information available online
Conclusion
While some players may use legitimate methods to find IP addresses for technical reasons, others may engage in unethical practices or hacking to exploit this information for malicious purposes. To protect oneself, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is recommended, as it masks the real IP address and adds an additional layer of security against potential threats