A public IP address can be both an asset and a risk in a time where cyber threats and connection coexist. Cybercriminals are now primarily targeting this seemingly innocuous identification, which is necessary for online interactions, in an attempt to take advantage of weaknesses. Public IPs are rendered invisible by NVIS AI, addressing this crucial security issue and enhancing cyber resilience for both individuals and enterprises. The problems associated with publicly available IP addresses, actual attacks that illustrate these threats, and how NVIS AI's solution protects users will all be covered in this blog post.

Recognizing public IP exposure: The dangers

A public IP address enables devices to connect to the internet and functions similarly to a digital home address. Nevertheless if left unguarded, it can also act as a beacon for online criminals. Attackers can use exposed IPs in a number of ways to gain access to, keep an eye on, or alter network activity:Public IPs give attackers the ability to conduct reconnaissance scans of network infrastructure, finding potential vulnerabilities and obtaining information for upcoming attacks.

• IP spoofing and man-in-the-middle attacks: These techniques allow attackers to pose as authorized users in order to intercept communications, steal information, or alter network traffic.

• DDoS attacks: Cybercriminals use public IP addresses to flood a target network with traffic, creating outages and interrupting services.

Actual situations: The dangers of public IP exposure

Numerous well-known attacks highlight the risks associated with publicly available IP addresses, underscoring the necessity for solutions that may conceal or disguise these identifiers.

IP reconnaissance is a technique used by attackers to map networks and find weaknesses. Cybercriminals can identify vulnerable setups, open ports, and weak protocols by probing an IP's endpoints. For instance, the Chinese threat actor responsible for the Volt Typhoon incident employed IP exposure and unmonitored system operations to breach critical infrastructure networks in the United States, such as communications and power grids. Once inside, the attackers used genuine tools to maintain long-term access, avoiding detection and successfully getting past standard network protections.

According to an article by CISA (2024) on Iran-based cyber actors enabling ransomware attacks on US organizations, to obtain first access to victim networks, Iranian cyber attackers first exploit remote external services on assets that are visible to the internet. As of July 2024, these attackers have been seen searching for devices that might be susceptible to CVE-2024-24919. They are doing this by scanning IP addresses that host Check Point Security Gateways. These criminals have been mass scanning IP addresses that host Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS and GlobalProtect VPN devices since April 2024. Presumably, the actors were searching for devices susceptible to CVE-2024-3400 and conducting reconnaissance. In the past, this group has taken use of Citrix Netscaler vulnerabilities CVE-2019-19781 and CVE-2023-3519, as well as BIG-IP F5 devices CVE-2022-1388.

These cases are just examples of how public IP exposure is a major vulnerability that can lead to catastrophic breaches.

NVIS AI: A contemporary countermeasure to IP-based reconnaissance

By hiding network resources from outside threats, NVIS AI offers a way to stop these kinds of invasions. NVIS AI uses peer-to-peer Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) principles, encrypting data at Layer 2 and connecting directly to resources without revealing public IPs, in contrast to typical VPNs that require active IP addresses visible to attackers. By successfully removing the visible attack surface and lowering reconnaissance exposure, this method makes it more difficult for attackers to take advantage of IP-based vulnerabilities. NVIS AI's solution goes beyond IP masking due to its unique blend of IP masking, encryption, peer-to-peer connectivity, and zero logging which enhances security at multiple levels. This multi-layered approach provides organizations with an effective way to mitigate risk, reduce vulnerabilities, and safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access.

Advanced IP protection is necessary for critical infrastructure

Attacks on critical infrastructure may begin with IP exposure, which emphasizes the significance of cutting-edge security solutions like NVIS AI that do away with the requirement for exposed IPs. These methods shield companies from common reconnaissance techniques by preventing external scanning and enabling secure communications without visible endpoints.

Conclusion

In today's threat landscape, exposed public IP addresses have grown to be a serious security risk as hackers use their visibility to initiate complex assaults. The solution offered by NVIS AI, which hides public IP addresses, is a significant step in the direction of proactive cyber defense. NVIS AI provides a strong security framework that aids businesses in protecting sensitive data, preserving privacy, and bolstering cyber resilience by obscuring IP addresses, removing open entry points, and improving security via encryption and P2P networking.

NVIS AI is a cutting-edge solution for companies looking for a private, secure, and seamless network solution. It tackles the actual issues caused by IP exposure, enabling businesses to function with assurance in a connected world.

Schedule a demo or contact our team of experts today.