lookup VPN or proxy usage by IP is a tool used by many users to protect their privacy and security online. However, these tools are also commonly used by cybercriminals to bypass geo-restrictions and commit fraud. Detecting VPN or proxy usage is critical for businesses that have strict compliance requirements or those looking to reduce the risk of fraud.

To identify VPN or proxy usage, many detection systems utilize reverse DNS lookups to determine the likelihood that an IP address is associated with a known proxy provider. Alternatively, some systems use advanced deep packet inspection (DPI) techniques to analyze data at a more granular level to identify patterns indicative of proxy or VPN usage.

Identify VPN or Proxy Activity Linked to IP Addresses

These advanced analytics can help a business understand the true location of a user, which is particularly important for businesses that have restrictions placed on them by copyright holders or government agencies, like those that sell or stream media that has been restricted by geographic region. By detecting when users are using VPNs, these businesses can better tailor their services to the user’s true location and avoid any issues with compliance or fraud.

GetIPIntel has a free lookup service that can be used by anyone to see whether an IP is likely to be a VPN or proxy using simple flags. By default, the query returns a value between 0 and 1 for how likely the IP is a VPN or proxy, which is based on dynamic checks with large datasets. To filter out certain providers like iCloud Relay Egress IPs and Google Cloud One VPN, you can specify additional flags in the query.