ChatGPT went down for a brief period on Thursday evening, leading to users from across the globe take to X to glad the outage and vent frustration with witty tweets. When ChatGPT went down, users received a ‘Bad Gateway’ message on their screens. Unknowingly, several users took a screenshot and shared it online. What they didn’t realise is that they just shared extremely sensitive personal information online, which could allow any tech-savvy bad actor to locate them almost instantly.
What Should You Be Careful About?
The ‘Bad Gateway’ message had a few important details. This included a Ray ID (a Cloudflare identifier used to identify requests) and an error reference number. However, worryingly enough, it also had your location detail, and also your IP address.
IP addresses are the digital key to your online presence. It can be used to learn about the device you are working on, the network you are connected to, as well as your exact location. If you are especially working on office Wi-Fi, you may give away sensitive security information to bad actors online.
-Why You Should Never Share IP Address
Sharing your IP address online can have serious security and privacy implications. Here are five reasons why you should avoid doing so:
- Targeted Attacks: Your IP address reveals your location. Malicious actors can use this information to launch targeted attacks, such as DDoS attacks that flood your network with traffic, making it unusable.
- Data Theft: Your IP address can be used to track your online activity, allowing others to monitor the websites you visit, files you download, and even your location in real-time. This information can be used for identity theft or to exploit vulnerabilities in your network.
- Spam and Phishing: Sharing your IP address can increase your exposure to spam emails, phishing attempts, and other unwanted online activity.
- Legal and Privacy Concerns: In some cases, sharing your IP address could have legal consequences. It can be used to trace online activity back to you, potentially exposing you to liability for illegal or harmful actions.
- Compromised Devices: If your IP address is compromised, attackers can gain access to your devices, install malware, and steal sensitive information such as passwords, financial data, and personal files.
By protecting your IP address, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to cyberattacks and protect your online privacy.
