In the vast digital ecosystem, every IP address plays a unique role. 185.63.253.300 is one such IP address that raises questions about its origin, use cases, and implications in terms of online security. In this in-depth guide, we dive into every aspect of this IP address, helping you understand its behavior, its classification, and how it might be impacting your network or website.
What Is IP Address 185.63.253.300?
IP address 185.63.253.300 appears to be technically invalid, as the IPv4 address format supports a maximum octet value of 255. Any value above this is outside the standard range. This leads to an important distinction: while many users search for information about this IP, it’s often due to a typographical error or an attempt to trace suspicious network activity.
However, it’s still worth analyzing the 185.63.253.0/24 subnet, as IPs within this range are actively used. By investigating the IP block that includes 185.63.253.300, we uncover potential sources, behaviors, and associations with various services, especially those used in cybersecurity monitoring or web server traffic.
IP Range 185.63.253.0/24 – Who Owns It?
The 185.63.253.0/24 IP range is allocated under RIPE NCC, which is responsible for Internet resource allocation in Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia. To trace the IP ownership more accurately:
-
IP Range: 185.63.253.0 to 185.63.253.255
-
Hosting Provider: Often linked to data centers or cloud infrastructure providers
-
ASN Information: Associated with Autonomous System Numbers used by ISPs or hosting services
Many of the IPs in this block are used by automated scanners, bots, or security firms for legitimate or questionable reasons. It’s important to assess the WHOIS data, PTR records, and hostnames associated with this subnet for accurate attribution.
Suspicious Behavior and Cybersecurity Concerns
Numerous users have reported activity from IP addresses in the 185.63.253.0/24 range as suspicious. This may include:
-
Frequent scanning of web ports
-
Brute-force login attempts
-
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) probes
-
Web application vulnerability scans
If you’ve noticed hits from this IP range in your server logs, particularly from tools like Fail2Ban, ModSecurity, or Web Application Firewalls (WAFs), it’s advisable to monitor or block them. Logging, geofencing, and adding firewall rules can mitigate any negative traffic.
GeoIP and Location Data
GeoIP tools report that IPs in this range often resolve to European countries, with hosting services based in:
-
Germany
-
Netherlands
-
Russia
-
France
However, geo-location can be spoofed or misrepresented if the IP is routed through VPNs or proxies, which is common in both privacy-conscious and malicious environments.
Reverse DNS and Hostname Analysis
To further analyze the IP address, reverse DNS (rDNS) lookups reveal the associated domain names or hostnames. Often, hostnames like:
…are indicators of security or monitoring services scanning your web resources. These tools may be legitimate penetration testing services or black-hat bots trying to identify exploits.
Using tools like dig, nslookup, or online platforms such as VirusTotal, AbuseIPDB, or Shodan can give insight into how the IP is categorized globally.
How to Block or Manage Traffic From 185.63.253.0/24
If you’re facing unwarranted or suspicious activity, taking control over inbound IP traffic is critical. Here are ways to mitigate IP-based threats:
-
Configure .htaccess or NGINX rules to deny traffic:
-
Use Cloudflare or CDN firewall rules to set rate limits or IP blocklists.
-
Enable fail2ban or similar intrusion detection tools.
-
Monitor server logs regularly using tools like AWStats, GoAccess, or ELK Stack.
-
Implement threat intelligence feeds that automatically update blocklists.
Is 185.63.253.300 a Bot or Crawler?
Although 185.63.253.300 is technically not a valid IP, closely related IPs in the 185.63.253.x series are known to operate as bots or scrapers. These bots may:
-
Index content without following
robots.txt -
Hammer endpoints leading to performance issues
-
Attempt unauthorized API access
To handle these effectively, apply User-Agent-based filtering along with IP throttling, and inspect request headers for unusual patterns.
185.63.253.300 in Firewall and SIEM Systems
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems like Splunk, Graylog, or ELK may flag 185.63.253.300 or similar IPs based on threat intelligence databases. Here’s what to do:
-
Add the IP range to a watchlist
-
Automate alerts when multiple requests are detected
-
Correlate with geo-anomaly detection and user-agent fingerprinting
-
Share data with community-based intelligence tools like AbuseIPDB
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why do I see 185.63.253.300 in my logs if it’s not a valid IP?
A: It’s likely a typo or malformed entry. Check for similar valid IPs like 185.63.253.30 or 185.63.253.130, which may actually be the source.
Q2: Is 185.63.253.0/24 a malicious IP block?
A: Not inherently, but several IPs within this range have been reported for aggressive scanning, bot activity, or unauthorized probing.
Q3: Should I block this IP range from accessing my server?
A: If you notice frequent, unsolicited activity from this range, it’s advisable to block or rate-limit it to safeguard server resources.
Q4: How do I know if this IP is harming my site?
A: Review access logs, monitor traffic spikes, and analyze for anomalies like high request rates, invalid login attempts, or API abuse.
Conclusion
The IP address 185.63.253.300, though technically invalid, serves as a reference point for a broader examination of the 185.63.253.0/24 IP range. This block is frequently associated with automated scanning, bots, and suspicious activity, making it important for sysadmins and webmasters to remain vigilant. By analyzing patterns, configuring firewalls, and using threat intelligence, it’s possible to reduce potential risks associated with these IPs.
