14 DAY TRIAL // Skype has received another security update that will hide all IP addresses of users connected to the service with any of the available clients, Microsoft has revealed in an announcement today.
The IP address is the main way to locate and connect to someone’s computer, and due to the huge number of Skype IP resolvers that have been launched in the last few months, Microsoft decided to make an update that would block all these services once and for all.
Specifically, starting today, the latest versions of Skype are automatically hiding users’ IP addresses by default, so no one should be able to find their location online.
“We have recently introduced the ability to hide a Skype user’s IP address and we’ve set this as a default status in the latest versions of Skype,” the Skype team has said in an announcement today. “Starting with this update to Skype and moving forward, your IP address will be kept hidden from Skype users. This measure will help prevent individuals from obtaining a Skype ID and resolving to an IP address.”
How IP resolvers work
While we’re not going to provide you with links to IP resolvers, it’s important to know how they work to understand the risks that you’re exposed to if you don’t update to the latest Skype versions.
Specifically, an IP resolver requires someone online to simply copy and paste your Skype handle into a dedicated box, and then the service connects to you to determine the IP address. The result is then pasted in the same page, together with additional IP tools, such as WHOIS.
Certainly, such security updates come in handy to Skype users, especially because there are lots of complaints related to blackmailing and online harassment on the company’s forums. Keep in mind that only the latest versions bring these improvements, so go download Skype to hide your IP too.