How prevalent are IP probes on the Internet today?

The prevalence of IP probes on the Internet today is accurately captured by the response that they are common and can occur within hours of connecting to the Internet. This reflects the reality that many systems and devices become targets for various forms of scanning almost immediately after they are connected online.

IP probes are typically used by malicious actors to identify vulnerable systems to exploit. Automated tools are commonly employed to conduct these probes, scanning large ranges of IP addresses for open ports and services. This means that once an Internet connection is established, the likelihood of being probed is high, often occurring within a very short time frame.

Furthermore, IP probes are not confined to any specific type of network or user classification. They are conducted by a wide range of entities, including cybercriminals, security researchers, and even automated scripts, which adds to their commonality. Thus, it is essential for organizations to implement robust security measures immediately upon connecting to the Internet to detect and respond to any probing activity quickly.