IP spoofing is a cyberattack technique that entails using a device or a network to fool users into thinking the attacker is part of a legitimate entity. Often, cybercriminals use this method to access computers in a target network to obtain sensitive information, turn systems into zombies, or launch a denial-of-service (DoS) attack.

We looked at the most commonly used spoofing attacks and how using a reverse IP address lookup tool like Reverse IP/DNS API can help cybersecurity officials prevent them.

Common IP Spoofing Attacks

DoS Attacks

In a DoS attack, hackers spoof IP addresses to direct an unusually high volume of traffic to a target website. A site that cannot handle the traffic volume typically goes offline, costing its owner thousands of dollars in lost revenue because visitors can no longer access it.

In some cases, hackers use botnets or networks of compromised computers to send tons of data packets to a target system. Each botnet can comprise thousands of devices that can spoof other IP addresses to intensify the magnitude of a DoS attack.

Using spoofed IP addresses lessens the chances that investigators can identify the actual attack perpetrators.

Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks

In a MitM attack, the hackers use a spoofed IP address to alter communications between devices, change the content of data packets, and deliver them without alerting either the senders or receivers. Because the IP address typically spoofed in this case is not part of the target network’s blocklist, the attack often remains undetected and so persists for a long time. Within that period, hackers can mine a considerable amount of sensitive data that they can then use in other attacks or sell in the Dark Web.

Blind Spoofing

This type of attack occurs when a hacker sends multiple packets to a target to receive a series of numbers that he then uses to assemble packets. In this case, the hacker does not have any idea how the target network handles transmissions, so he needs to let a computer within the target “tell” him through its response. The system’s response enables the hacker to know how to inject data into the packet stream without the need for authentication.

How Can a Reverse IP Address Lookup Tool Help IP Spoofing Victims?

Cybersecurity specialists need to develop and deploy anti-spoofing solutions to ensure that their organizations stay safe. Whatever solution they choose, they can integrate a reverse IP address lookup tool such as Reverse IP/DNS API into it so it can:

• Authenticate IP addresses: A reverse IP address lookup can locate the PTR record for a specific IP address. This record will reveal its associated domain. Users can then dig deeper to see who owns the IP address. They can also do a forward-confirmed reverse Domain Name System (DNS) verification to check if the relationship between the domain name and server owners are valid. While this may not often be thorough, it can be robust enough to improve whitelisting strategies. Often, hackers who use bots with forged domain records fail to pass forward validation.
• Create monitoring reports: As their organizations’ defenders against cyberattacks, cybersecurity specialists need to keep a log of all the individuals or organizations that access their sites. To make their reports usable, they can use a reverse IP address lookup tool to put a face to an IP address where possible. They can then add suspects to a list for monitoring and further investigation.
• Reinforce software capabilities: As the service is available in the form of a RestFUL API, it is especially suitable for integration into an already existing IT security software infrastructure such as a log analyzer, firewall, or reporting tool.

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Organizations that aim to improve their cybersecurity posture should make use of all the possible tools to prevent attacks that may cause costly and irreversible damage. Those who want to protect against IP spoofing should incorporate the use of a reverse IP address lookup tool such as Reverse IP/DNS API into their threat intelligence gathering and attack prevention efforts.