Nowadays, online security is no laughing matter. It’s been said so many times before, but it’s still important to say that the Internet is not as safe as many would like to believe. The dangers are real. In the modern age, information has become a resource. Entire businesses are built on information.

The prime example of such a business is Google. But, of course, everybody knows that. Other prime examples come in the form of ride-hailing businesses, which don’t even own their own vehicles. Or food delivery businesses which don’t even cook the food that they deliver.

The world we know today is built on information. And that’s scary because your information can also be used to harm you. One vital piece of information that you should guard is your IP address. How easy is to obtain your IP address exactly? Well, a simple “What is my IP address” search ought to do the trick. If that didn’t unsettle you into taking this matter seriously, the following reasons might:

Ad Networks Can Track You

When you sign up for a website like Facebook or Google, you also give the companies that own them the permission to access your browsing history for the intention of being able to serve you tailored ads. This is what explains why the ads on your computer seem to have been directed at you depending on what you recently searched for. It’s not magic. You’re being tracked.

Your ISP Can Track Your Activity

Now, if websites can track your online activity, so too can your Internet service provider. There are no legal measures that prevent ISPs from collecting your data. And while they may currently protect your data, there’s no law that prevents them from selling your information without your consent.

The Government Might Be Watching

Well, personally, I don’t mind the government watching my online presence if it’s intended to root out criminal activity. However, in the wrong hands, this ability can easily be abused. And by the wrong hands, I mean a dictatorship. This can also mean that, in the wrong hands, this power can be used to track and suppress controversial thought.

Your Sensitive Research May Be At Risk

If you work in a profession that requires that you handle a lot of sensitive data, you may want to remain as anonymous as you can. Some examples of these professions include law enforcement, celebrities, journalists, and even high-profile lawyers. In this instance, if you’re tracked down by dangerous parties, you might not only lose your job, in some extreme cases you might even lose your life.

These are all real threats to your privacy and to an extent, your life and the safety of your family. The Internet is an amazing invention, but it can also be used as a tool for oppression. Don’t mistake me as a fear-monger though. These are facts and your IP address should be taken seriously. Luckily, a good VPN service ought to protect you and your data sufficiently.