Skype hides IP addresses to protect users from online trolls

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Let's be honest: it's pretty hard to find someone who will be genuinely happy for you when you win something. When it comes to online gaming, however, that probability falls to zero. Losing a multiplayer game leaves some people so angry that they'll go out of their way to force fellow players offline. In order to do this, gamers can use tools to locate a target's IP address from just their target's Skype username and then launch a DDoS attack to overload their internet connection. It's not the most common attack vector but Microsoft has changed the way its messaging app works so that gamers, and the wider Skype community, can rest a little easier knowing it's harder for them to be tracked.

After initially allowing users to choose whether they wanted to share their IP address with contacts, the company's latest update will now hide their details from other Skype users by default. Microsoft says the measure will "prevent individuals from obtaining a Skype ID and resolving to an IP address," which won't only protect gamers, but other Skype users who may be targeted by online trolls. Before Microsoft enabled the feature, gamers used third-party workarounds to keep themselves safe. Its latest update removes that hassle and lets players get back to pwning the competition without fear of reprisals.

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Related Forum: PC General Forum

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2016/01/22/skype-hide-ip-addresses-skype/

Comments

"Skype hides IP addresses to protect users from online trolls" :: Login/Create an Account :: 61 comments

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ConsoleIDPosted:

Yeah Now i Can Skype my Modder Friends

Green-TeaPosted:

I actually feel safe on there now.

CongenitalPosted:

Mullan this took way too long, I had to get rid of skype ages ago in fear of this. Someone got all my info,quite frightening


You mean your IP address, which you can change? Could of just made yourself unresolvable.

CongenitalPosted:

Bit of a down side and good side.

Down side: Can't annoy friends when they annoy you.

Good side: People don't have to worry about being unresolvable.

RobbedPosted:

Sometimes i do feel vulnerable on Skype, so introducing this is good.

MickersPosted:

Happened to me, luckily the guy sucked...

VeraPosted:

this took way too long, I had to get rid of skype ages ago in fear of this. Someone got all my info,quite frightening

HDzPosted:

Craig Yeah we'll see. Skype IP resolver's are everywhere now. One of the reasons i don't like it anymore.


TBH there so easy to get hold of and there all free and the free Ddos tools make life hard for the vunerable

TollPosted:

For being a PC gamer these past couple years, I hear way too often people asking others to get on Skype... Skype isn't even the easiest way to get someone's IP, but I guess it's still a good thing for Skype to hide it.

HurlehPosted:

TheUnholy1994 Gotta have no life if you do that. "I lost so imma boot you offline" ffs...


Happens more than you think hahah some people are a bit sad