When you join Lurp’s self-hosted Minecraft server, you’re connecting to a single, specific service—Minecraft—and not to Lurp’s whole home network. The server is configured so that the only thing exposed to the internet is the game port itself, just like any other properly hosted game or website. Your computer sends and receives Minecraft packets, not passwords, not files, and not remote-control access. In other words, joining the server is no more “dangerous” than joining any other well-configured online Minecraft world.
A common myth is that “if you know someone’s IP, you can hack them.” In reality, the internet works by using IP addresses for everything—websites, game servers, Discord, streaming services. Simply knowing an IP doesn’t grant magical access. What matters is which ports and services are open on that IP, and Lurp’s setup is intentionally minimal: only the Minecraft server port and the web server ports (for the informational site) are reachable. There’s no open file sharing, no remote desktop, and no admin panels waiting for random people to poke at.
On top of that, the services that are exposed have been locked down with a firewall. The firewall’s job is to stand in front of the server and say “only this exact kind of traffic is allowed, everything else is dropped.” For Lurp’s host, that means Minecraft connections are allowed for gameplay, web traffic is allowed for the site, and sensitive services like SSH (remote shell access) are restricted to the local network only. Even if someone tried to scan the IP for weak points, they would find only tightly scoped, well-known services doing exactly what they’re supposed to do—and nothing more.
It’s also important to understand that joining a Minecraft server does not let the server “reach back” into your computer. Your Minecraft client talks to the server using the Minecraft protocol, which is designed for exchanging game data: player positions, blocks, chat messages, inventories, and so on. The server cannot arbitrarily browse your files, install programs, or control your device through a normal game connection. As long as you’re using a legit Minecraft client and not running random hacked clients or shady mods from untrusted sources, your own side of the connection remains under your control.
Finally, Lurp keeps the underlying system updated and monitored so that known security vulnerabilities are patched promptly. The operating system, firewall rules, and server software are all configured to follow best practices—minimal open ports, no anonymous admin access, and separation between game hosting and personal data. While no system on the internet can claim absolute, 100% risk-free security, joining this server is well within the normal, everyday level of safety you already accept when you join public game servers, browse the web, or connect to online services. You get the fun of a self-hosted, community-run Minecraft world without exposing yourself—or Lurp’s network—to reckless risk.