Bogon filtering facts for kids

A bogon is a special name for a piece of information, called an IP packet, that travels on the Internet. Imagine it like a letter with a return address that doesn't exist or isn't supposed to be used.

These packets claim to come from parts of the internet's "address space" that are not officially given out yet. The "address space" is like a huge list of all possible addresses on the internet. The parts of this list that haven't been assigned are called "bogon space".

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and other groups like the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) are in charge of giving out these internet addresses. If an address hasn't been given out, it's part of the bogon space.

For example, some addresses, like those starting from 100.x.x.x up to 107.x.x.x, were not officially given out as of September 2009. You can always check the latest list on the IANA website.

Bogons are different from special addresses that are set aside for private networks. These private addresses are used inside homes or offices and are not meant to be seen on the public internet. Examples of these private address ranges include:

• 10.0.0.0/8 (addresses starting with 10.x.x.x)
• 172.16.0.0/12 (addresses from 172.16.x.x to 172.31.x.x)
• 192.168.0.0/16 (addresses starting with 192.168.x.x)

What Are Bogons?

A bogon is an IP packet that has a source address from an area of the internet's address space that is not currently used. Think of it as a message that claims to be from a non-existent place on the internet map. These addresses are not officially assigned to anyone by the organizations that manage internet numbers.

Why Do Bogons Exist?

Bogons can appear for a few reasons. Sometimes, they are created by accident due to a mistake in how a computer network is set up. Other times, they might be sent on purpose by people trying to do something harmful, like hiding where they are coming from.

How Bogons Are Handled

Because bogons come from unassigned parts of the internet, they are usually blocked by internet service providers (ISPs) and network administrators. This blocking is called "bogon filtering." It helps keep the internet safe and stable.

Bogon Filtering

Bogon filtering is like a security guard for the internet. It stops these packets from entering or leaving a network. This helps prevent problems like:

• Hiding identity: People trying to hide their real location might use bogon addresses.
• Network attacks: Some attacks might use bogon addresses to confuse network systems.
• Misconfigurations: Sometimes, a network device might accidentally send out packets with bogon addresses.

By blocking bogons, networks can reduce unwanted traffic and improve security. It ensures that only packets from valid, assigned internet addresses are allowed to pass through.