In the vast world of networking and cybersecurity, IP addresses play a crucial role in identifying devices and facilitating communication over the internet. However, sometimes, anomalies or unusual patterns emerge that raise questions—such as the keyword “185.63.253.2pp.” At first glance, this appears to be an IP address with an unusual suffix.

What is 185.63.253.2pp? Breaking Down the Components

1. Understanding Standard IP Addresses

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identifier assigned to devices on a network. The most common format is IPv4, which consists of four octets separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.1.1). Each octet ranges from 0 to 255, making a valid IPv4 address a combination like 185.63.253.2.

However, 185.63.253.2pp deviates from this standard due to the “pp” suffix. This suggests one of the following:

• A typographical error
• A placeholder or mock address in documentation
• An encoding or parsing mistake
• A malicious attempt to obfuscate an IP

2. Is 185.63.253.2 a Real IP?

Before analyzing the “pp” addition, let’s check if 185.63.253.2 is a legitimate IP.

A quick WHOIS lookup reveals:

• 185.63.253.0/24 belongs to M247 Ltd, a European hosting and telecom provider.
• This IP range is associated with web hosting, VPNs, or cloud services.

This means 185.63.253.2 is a real, assigned IP, but the “2pp” addition makes it invalid.

Possible Explanations for the “pp” Suffix

1. Typographical Error

The simplest explanation is a typo. Users or systems might mistakenly append extra characters due to:

• Keyboard errors (e.g., pressing “p” twice)
• Copy-paste mistakes from formatted text
• Misinterpretation of log files

2. Placeholder in Documentation

Some developers use mock IPs in documentation or testing environments. Examples:

• 192.168.x.x (private range)
• example.com (reserved domain)
• 185.63.253.2pp (could be a dummy entry)

3. Malicious Obfuscation

Cybercriminals sometimes alter IPs to evade detection. Techniques include:

• Adding random letters (185.63.253.2pp)
• Using hex or decimal encoding
• Inserting special characters

If seen in logs, this could indicate an attempted attack.

4. Data Corruption or Parsing Error

Software that processes network data might incorrectly parse IPs due to:

• Buffer overflows
• Encoding mismatches (UTF-8 vs. ASCII)
• Log file corruption

Security Implications of Suspicious IP Patterns

1. Phishing & Scam Attempts

Fake or malformed IPs can be used in:

• Phishing emails (masking real URLs)
• Malware distribution (hiding C2 servers)
• Credential harvesting (fake login pages)

2. Brute Force & DDoS Attacks

Attackers may inject malformed IP strings to:

• Bypass firewall rules
• Test for vulnerabilities in input validation
• Disrupt logging systems

3. Data Exfiltration

Obfuscated IPs might be used in:

• DNS tunneling (exfiltrating data via DNS queries)
• Covert channels (hiding malicious traffic)

How to Investigate Such Anomalies

1. Check Logs for Patterns

• Are there repeated instances of 185.63.253.2pp?
• Does it appear alongside known attack signatures?

2. WHOIS & Geolocation Lookup

• Verify the base IP (185.63.253.2) ownership.
• Check if it’s linked to malicious activity.

3. Network Traffic Analysis

• Use Wireshark or tcpdump to inspect packets.
• Look for unusual port activity.

4. Malware Scans

• Run antivirus and EDR tools to detect infections.
• Check for suspicious processes.

5. Firewall & IDS/IPS Review

• Ensure rules block invalid IP formats.
• Monitor for intrusion attempts.

Best Practices for Handling Suspicious IPs

1. Input Validation
   • Reject non-standard IP formats in web forms.
   • Use regex filters (e.g., ^\d{1,3}\.\d{1,3}\.\d{1,3}\.\d{1,3}$).
2. Log Monitoring
   • Implement SIEM solutions (Splunk, ELK Stack).
   • Set alerts for malformed IPs.
3. Regular Audits
   • Review firewall and DNS logs.
   • Patch vulnerable services.
4. User Awareness
   • Train staff to recognize phishing attempts.
   • Encourage reporting of anomalies.

Conclusion: Is 185.63.253.2pp a Threat?

While 185.63.253.2pp is not a valid IP, its appearance could indicate:

• A simple typo
• A testing artifact
• A potential security threat

Key Takeaways:

• Always validate IP formats in systems.
• Monitor logs for anomalies.
• Stay updated on cybersecurity best practices.

If you encounter such entries, investigate further to rule out malicious activity. Cybersecurity is about vigilance—even small anomalies can signal bigger risks Cinezone.