IP address spoofing is the creation of IP packets to hide the sender’s identity. It is often used to collect personal information and is considered unethical. Spoofing uses the Basic Internet Protocol to obscure the source address, making it difficult to trace the data back to its origin. One common application is sending emails that appear to come from trusted organizations, asking for login credentials. This allows the spoofer to access and use email, bank, or credit card accounts. To avoid falling into a spoofing scheme, companies advise customers never to click on links in emails and to log into their accounts through the company website.
IP address spoofing is a process of creating IP packets to hide the true identity of an email or file sender. While IP address spoofing has some legitimate purposes, the process is most commonly employed as a means to collect personal information that allows accounts and financial information to be used without the owner’s permission. In general, spoofing is considered unethical.
Address spoofing uses the Basic Internet Protocol to do its job. Essentially, IP provides the basis for the transmission of all types of data over the Internet, allowing the data to terminate on various types of computer networking equipment, such as servers. The data is identified with a source address and destination address, similar to the use of a delivery address and a return address on a letter sent via a postal system. Obscuring that source address and substituting a false or forged address makes it difficult to trace the data back to its point of origin.
One of the most common applications of IP address spoofing is sending email that appears to come from companies or organizations the recipient knows and trusts. Typically, the spoofed transmission will take the form of an email. The email often informs the recipient that their account with the organization has been hacked and they need to log into their account using a link provided in the email. After clicking the link, the recipient is taken to what appears to be an official-looking page that may also include the organization’s logo, and asked to enter their login credentials.
As a result of the IP address spoofing approach, it is possible to collect login information that can be used by the spoofer. This may include the ability to access and use email accounts. Often, login information is associated with bank accounts or credit card accounts, which the originator will proceed to use for his own purposes. The counterfeit victim usually doesn’t realize what happened until the unauthorized credit card charges appear or the bank account runs dry.
Many companies use advanced login systems that require the customer to enter more data than just a username and password. Also, most businesses and banks warn their customers never to click on a link in an email that purports to be from a business. When companies send legitimate emails regarding customer matters, they typically instruct the customer to open a browser window and log into the company website as the customer normally would. This approach effectively circumvents the possibility of falling into an IP address spoofing scheme and revealing sensitive information to an unknown source.
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