I've seen scam ads that say "Your

computer may be broadcasting your IP address to

attackers! Click here to correct this!".
Pop ups.

What can someone do if they know your IP

address?
Well, they can do a lot of stuff like they can

do a simple 'WHOIS query' to see 'who' the IP

address belongs to. For example what ISP or

organization. They can map the IP address to

city and state (visual look that is) determine

who the ISP is, after that then they can

determine if they want to

1.) Scan to find open ports.

2.) Identify applications, servers, that are

running (based on the open ports they found)

3.) Code their own exploits or if they will find

exploits specific to those applications and

servers.

4. exploit.

5. Modify all log files.

6.Leave rootkit on system.

7. Own you because he/she has your IP address. Of course this is easier said than done. If your a home user with dial up I wouldn't worry about it to much. If you have a broadband connection (cable/ADSL) and have a static IP address then I would be a little concern. But if you have broadband with dynamic IP address leasing then I wouldn't worry about it as much. Just get a router and a software firewall, and AV software with Anti spyware software and keep your system up-to-date at all times you then should be okay for the time being. j/k