Do you need a reliable and effective tool to identify VPN or proxy use? This article has got you covered with the best VPN and proxy detection tools you can use in 2024.
Proxy servers and virtual private networks (VPNs) provide internet protocol (IP) anonymity on the Internet. Although they have their use, they can also be employed by hackers to bypass anti-fraud and anti-spam measures.
If you're a website proprietor who wants to prevent spam and fraud on your website, you should block all traffic that originates from proxies and VPN servers.
Tools that can identify a VPN or proxy server are useful in this context. This refers to software designed to identify proxy IP addresses to block them.
There is a wide selection of such programs available. But if you're serious about making the most of your resources, keep reading.
With that in mind, I have compiled a list of VPN and proxy detection tools that I have found to be among the finest available.
Navigation of Contents
1. CriminalIP — Effectively detects dangerous links and IPs
CriminalIP is at the top of my list of recommended services. The site of this service seems like a wall since it contains so many guidelines and blogs.
If you go further, however, you'll find an accessible API for discovering hidden services like VPNs, TOR IPs, and proxies.
Intriguingly, CriminalIP does more than just that; it can also detect suspicious domains and links.
That's why it's a great option for user-generated content sites: it prevents visitors from visiting malicious URLs by filtering out suspicious links.
In terms of protecting a website against intrusion and other threats, it's a solid option.
2. ProxyCheck — Offers effective protection
ProxyCheck accomplishes its primary job, which is to tell you if an internet protocol (IP) address is a proxy or whether it is not.
However, it doesn't work with other anti-fraud tools. The tool has an API for use. You shouldn't have any trouble following along with the manual since it has a very simple structure.
It is possible to infer the method of operation just by observing the URL structure of the provided example, eliminating the need to consult the manual.
The free tier's price provides 1,000 daily queries at no cost.
3. IPHunter — Easy-to-Use Application Programming Interface for Identifying Malicious IPs
As an additional application programming interface (API), IPHunter can determine if an IP address is being used as a VPN or proxy.
IPHunter keeps track of all proxy, Virtual private network, and TOR exit node IP addresses in a directory that is refreshed every five minutes.
It determines if an IP address is being utilized as a proxy by employing this method and others, such as checking the service provider and listening ports.
With this service, you can make up to 1,000 requests every day without paying anything.
More advanced features need a premium membership, so keep that in mind. But, in general, the prices are rather low.
4. WhatIsMyIP — Most effective for minimalist, private use
To learn more about their own and other people's IP addresses, many Internet users go to WhatIsMyIP.com.
You can employ this tool to determine if an IP address is being used as a proxy. It's not as advanced as some other options, and it doesn't provide as much functionality.
It's elementary, yet they are the barest necessities.
Nevertheless, if you're willing to pay, you can utilize their API, which has a free tier that's so bare it may as well not exist at all, and affordable commercial plans for serious users.
Although, I would caution against relying on it for mission-critical business purposes.
5. Spur — Optimal for locating residential vpns and proxies
The bravest hackers don't rely on commercial proxies or virtual private networks; they employ their residential equivalents.
Similar but not identical, home IPs are the result of compromised hardware and software and might be hard to identify.
Well, that's where you can rely on the Spur service. To determine if an IP address is coming from a trusted proxy or a hacked device, you can utilize this application programming interface.
They contain information on more than 800 distinct virtual private networks and proxy services, the largest of which are residential proxy networks.
6. GetIPIntel — The most reliable open-source proxy and VPN detection API
If you cannot afford a commercial IP address intelligence product, you can try a free alternative like GetIPIntel to detect VPNs and proxies.
There have been almost six years of use of this instrument. Use this to check if an IP address is being used by a proxy or virtual private network.
But its application doesn't stop here anyway; it can also be employed to ascertain whether or not an Internet protocol address is malicious, offering yet another perspective on an IP's status.
7. Abuseipdb — Ideal for locating IP addresses that have been used maliciously
Compared to the other resources discussed in the essay, the AbuseIPDB stands out as unique.
AbuseIPDB provides spam records, whereas the others just offer information on whether or not an IP is a proxy.
A website can utilize the service's application programming interface (API) to report abusive IP addresses; users can also do this directly using the service's interface.
This process yields a massive database of compromised IP addresses, which can then be used to target specific victims of spam and other forms of online fraud.
I like this tool because it offers the following:
- Integration of API
- Monitoring of blacklisted IPs
- Scoring systems that can be customized
- IP reputation analysis
8. IP2Proxy — Encourage the use of several access formats
IP2Proxy can serve as both a web and API application, much like the other privacy detection tools I've covered.
This site also allows you to obtain their internet protocol database or publish IP addresses in bulk, which are two very common uses of the service.
Daily updates are made to the service's database of IP addresses that have been detected as being utilized as VPN tunnels, TOR exit nodes, or proxies.
There is an annual cost of 399 USD to download the information daily if you choose not to utilize their API service.
Data about faked IPs and the potential danger posed by an IP address are both provided by this service.
9. GeoGuard — The most effective when combined with other anti-spam tools
Besides using a dedicated IP blocking service, you can also utilize GeoGuard to prevent IP spoofing and anonymization.
To prevent access from potentially malicious sources, GeoGuard keeps a database of previously identified malicious IP addresses.
And it does not stop there; unlike many of the other tools on this list, it can be used to track down home IP addresses that have been compromised.
As a result, it is a top choice among proxy and VPN detection tools.
I love making use of this service because it provides the following:
- API integrations
- Geolocation accuracy
- Prevention of fraud
- Mobile application
- Monitoring in real-time
10. IPHub — Ideal for low-importance use at zero cost
In need of a no-cost method to determine if an internet protocol address belongs to a VPN or proxy?
If your needs aren't time-sensitive, therefore The IPHub service is a viable option for you.
A maximum of one thousand queries per day are allowed at no cost. This renders it a great option for websites that rarely receive more than a thousand users or requests at once.
Know that knowledgeable people will find ways around this system since it isn't excellent at identifying complicated schemes to disguise IPs.
11. VPNAPI — Public proxy/virtual private network detection tool
The term “application programming interface” (API) describes the nature of this instrument. In comparison to other privacy monitoring services like SEON and IPInfo.io, this one is fairly inexpensive.
This service costs between 19 USD and 99 reasonable USD. Achieving the same degree of precision as the aforementioned methods will be difficult with this.
Locating public VPNs and proxies is the service's strong suit. It keeps track of public IPs and checks free proxy sites.
With this information at hand, it employs its algorithms for determining if an IP address belongs to a TOR, VPN, or proxy.
12. IPQualityScore — Top choice for monitoring your online reputation score and IP address fraud
Another resource for determining promptly if an internet protocol address is associated with a TOR, VPN, or proxy server is the IPQualityScore.
When it comes to preventing and detecting fraud, this instrument is at the forefront.
It can identify the usage of proxies and VPNs by using several methods, including machine learning, an internal database, honeypots, and forensic analysis.
It can be used to see whether a certain IP address is trustworthy. The capacity to scan for spam and blacklisting is also vital.
This is one of my best tools because it:
- Prevents fraud
- Offers data geolocation
- Validates email
- Provides integrated emails
- Offers mobile application
- Provides reputation analysis
13. IPInfo Privacy Detection API — Most effective for sophisticated IP concealment methods
This is one of my best VPN and proxy detection tools. IPInfo.io is often used to find data about IP addresses.
You can accomplish this using the online interface, but there's also an API and downloadable IP database.
We will be looking specifically at their API for detecting potential privacy issues. If the IP address in question is being used with any kind of IP masking, you can check it out with this handy tool.
Insight into whether an IP address belongs to a proxy, VPN, or TOR node is provided.
The reality that this API is reliable for identifying Apple Private Relay is also noteworthy.
In case you are wondering why I like this tool, it is because it helps to:
- Detect personal information
- Integrate easily
- Offers information on potential threats
- Detect TOR exit node
- Detect proxy or VPN
14. SEON IP Analysis Module — Best fraud detection service
The SEON service provides a comprehensive solution for detecting web-based fraud, including IP analytics, threat intelligence, and gadget fingerprints.
In this sense, I will be focusing on their internet protocol analysis module, which can be utilized to identify suspicious IP addresses, such as those belonging to TOR-routed traffic, VPNs, and proxy servers.
You can check if an IP address is associated with a TOR network node, VPN, or proxy with the help of this handy tool.
Intriguingly, it can also identify potentially compromised data centers and check for open ports to determine if the IP address has been compromised.
I prefer this tool because of its:
- Easy implementation
- Monitoring in real-time
- Behavioral analysis
- Accurate analysis of IP address
15. MaxMind — Easy-to-use VPN and proxy detection tool
When it comes to IP analysis and preventing fraud, MaxMind has long been at the forefront of the field.
You can utilize its IP intelligence service to determine if an internet protocol address is associated with a TOR exit node VPN or a proxy.
You can also detect whether a user is attempting to hide their Internet Protocol (IP) address to access restricted areas of your platform.
My unparallel love for MaxMind is because it provides:
- Service and content personalization
- Easy integration
- Mobile application
- Prevention of fraud
- Provision of in-depth IP details
FAQs
Q. Can I rely on free proxy detection tools?
Several of the aforementioned resources don't cost anything to utilize. Nevertheless, how effective are they? All of them can recognize poor-quality proxies, but the vast majority will fall short when faced with actual danger.
For this reason, I stressed in the description that they are not meant for mission-critical applications. Proxy detection solutions that cost money, take up a lot of time and effort to set up, and have been around for a while are the best bet for getting the desired results.
Q. Is it possible to detect a proxy?
While it is hard to identify every proxy server, this does not mean that some cannot be uncovered. Proxies often swap IP addresses to remain undetected.
Q. Are proxy detection tools trustworthy?
How well-known the IP supplier is and what kind of tools are employed both contribute to the IP's correctness. It's far simpler to identify IPs from well-known proxy providers than it is from unknown ones.
Conclusion
In wrapping up this article, I want to highlight how crucial it is to exercise caution before placing complete faith in these methods.
This is because adept fraudsters can still browse your website undetected.
This is why it's important to indicate many methods, increasing the likelihood that a spoofing attempt will be discovered.
You shouldn't rely just on IP checks; you should additionally study system activity and seek for anomalies. With any luck, these will help you avoid absorbing them into your device.