An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique string of numbers separated by periods (IPv4) or colons (IPv6) that identifies each computer using the Internet Protocol to communicate over a network. It serves two main functions: identifying the host or network interface and providing the location of the device in the network, allowing data to be routed correctly. IP addresses can be static, which remain constant, or dynamic, which can change each time a device connects to the network. An IPv4 address consists of four octets (e.g., 192.168.1.1), while an IPv6 address is longer and designed to accommodate the vast number of devices connected to the Internet (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334). IP addresses are essential for internet communication, enabling devices to locate and interact with each other.
Hackers are increasingly using automated programs for brute-force attacks on devices like firewalls and VPNs. A vast network of 2.8 million IP addresses, mainly from Morocco, Turkey, Russia, Argentina, and…