Known bad IP addresses are malicious IPs that have been flagged for engaging in spammy or unwanted activity. They are often found on blacklists and blocked by firewalls. Using tools to check an IP address against blacklists is a great way to make sure your network is safe from hackers and other malicious users.
Known Bad IP Addresses: Identifying and Avoiding Risks
The Internet was first created to enable devices connected to it to find one another easily, no matter where they were in the world. This was made possible by the logical, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses that each device has. These are not random, as MAC addresses are, but determined mathematically by each device.
Unfortunately, bad actors use IPs to commit many crimes on the Internet including spamming, phishing, malware distribution and hosting illegal or obscene content like child pornography, terrorism, and other nefarious activities. Being able to identify and block suspicious IPs is a core part of being a cybersecurity professional.
In a recent study, threat intelligence firm Recorded Future discovered that there were more risky or suspicious IP addresses from China than any other country. This could be due to the tight security and control over Internet activity in the country.
Detecting and blocking malicious IPs is best done with a combination of comprehensive blacklists, frequent blacklist updates, and a strong firewall defense system. As bad actors shift and change their IPs all the time, it is important to cross-check external lists frequently in order to stay ahead of them.