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skype lifehack: hiding public IP

deletedabout 8 years

many EM users frequently use skype as an off-site interface to communicate with each other and stay in touch with friends. it however, like all software, has its vulnerabilities.

skype uses peer-to-peer technology to enable direct IP-based connections between users. consequently, the public IP of the user(s) are disclosed during calls made exclusively from one skype client to another.

in order to prevent skype from disclosing your IP to creepy undesirables:

NOTE: i have been told navigating to these settings are either unavailable or bound to be different for windows users. i'm doing my research as we speak.

  1. open your skype application

  2. navigate to your advanced settings via Skype > Preferences > Advanced

  3. make sure that the option to 'Allow direct connections to my contacts only' is ticked

  4. if necessary, click apply or OK to save these settings

here is what mine looks like (i am running OSX so your UI may be vastly different from mine)

FOR ADDED SECURITY

navigate to the 'Privacy' tab in that same window and make sure that you have selected 'Contacts' for the option that says 'Allow calls from' so you don't potentially place yourself at risk

happy skyping and be safe!

P.S. if any of the aforementioned information is grossly invalid or anyone has any other tips they would like to share please don't hesitate to comment or message me and i will happily amend the OP.

EDIT: i have been told that this issue has been patched over for windows users following a massive vulnerability in their security but may in fact remain an issue for OSX users. please bear that in mind.

over 7 years
1. use discord
almost 8 years
what the do i care if people know i live in oregon. i keep servers in my apartment
deletedabout 8 years

error says

hello, yes? time warner? i demand to know the whereabouts of lmaohitler98


about 8 years
Or download discord
deletedabout 8 years

Alne says

or dont use skype??


that is trivial, thanks for pedantic reply
deletedabout 8 years
the pleasure is all mine
deletedabout 8 years
:) good to see ya round
deletedabout 8 years
hello, miss!
deletedabout 8 years
hi error
deletedabout 8 years

dahoaf says

this thread is full of misinformation. your IP can be used for way more than simple geolocation and denial of service attacks — a skilled social engineer can get your personally identifiable information by calling your service provider.


hello, yes? time warner? i demand to know the whereabouts of lmaohitler98
deletedabout 8 years
just don't
deletedabout 8 years
or just dont add people on skype ?
about 8 years

dahoaf says

kids with skype resolvers can't fetch your IP from skype's servers in the old way, but they can still get it from wireshark as error said. use a VPN or be vulnerable are your choices


or dont use skype??
deletedabout 8 years
kids with skype resolvers can't fetch your IP from skype's servers in the old way, but they can still get it from wireshark as error said. use a VPN or be vulnerable are your choices
deletedabout 8 years
this thread is full of misinformation. your IP can be used for way more than simple geolocation and denial of service attacks — a skilled social engineer can get your personally identifiable information by calling your service provider.
about 8 years
using skype in 2016 LUL
about 8 years
it was just recently that p2p was killed rendering ips worthless

i had a group thats been p2p for years and it was forced to cloud last week
deletedabout 8 years
i've been made aware that someone can still easily resolve your public IP via skype using wireshark.
about 8 years
This is still relevant for the Skype app though.

about 8 years

poser says

can't you just change your ip by calling ur net provider or something? or do the ol' unplug router trick


all ips are recycled so not only can you change it at any time but geolocation is highly inaccurate so its a nonissue even in the 50/50 chance someone gets a location within 10 cities of where you are you can just deny it
deletedabout 8 years
so the patch for OSX just hasn't happened yet?
about 8 years
can't you just change your ip by calling ur net provider or something? or do the ol' unplug router trick
about 8 years
skype officially killed the peer to peer connection so your ip isnt used anymore and instead microsoft sees all your messages because they havent learned anything from apple
about 8 years

poser says

it's funny, in the older days someone finding my parents would've been so scary to me, now it's just like well what can you possibly say that they would believe over me? it's not a big deal guys, people only threaten you with it because you care about it


If someone has your IP you can also get DDoS'd, it's not just about the location.
deletedabout 8 years

poser says

it's funny, in the older days someone finding my parents would've been so scary to me, now it's just like well what can you possibly say that they would believe over me? it's not a big deal guys, people only threaten you with it because you care about it


unless you fall under the 14-17 age range and would have your life potentially ruined over this type of incident.
and it still happens on this site.