Accurate VPN Detection For Online Safety

Accurate VPN detection for online safety is crucial for online safety because it prevents websites from detecting when you are using a VPN. This helps to ensure that your location and identity are not exposed to malicious actors, for example hackers who attempt to take advantage of your trusting relationship with a trusted VPN provider.

Identifying when a user is using a VPN or proxy can be challenging. This is because many websites rely on accurate geolocation information to personalize content delivery and enhance the customer experience. Streaming services enforce licensing agreements and apply content restrictions based on the user’s geographic location, dating sites verify user identity through physical address matching, local marketplaces check for consistency in listing and review details, and online gambling websites are required to comply with jurisdictional regulations regarding the user’s physical location.

Accurate VPN Detection for Online Safety

The most common method of detecting VPN and proxy usage is by comparing the timezone reported by a user’s web browser with the timezone associated with the corresponding IP address geolocation. This method is prone to false positives and negatives, especially when users manually adjust their device’s timezone settings or employ browser extensions that modify their timezone reporting. It also does not detect private self-hosted or corporate VPNs.

Another popular method of detecting VPN and proxy usage is through port-based detection. This is done by inspecting the connection made by a web user and identifying whether it uses a non-standard port typically associated with VPNs and proxies.