What is VPN Detection?
How It Works & Why You Need It

Table of Contents

• What is VPN Detection?
• How It Works
• Why Businesses Need It
• Implementation Example
• FAQs

What is VPN Detection?

VPN (Virtual Private Network) detection is the process of identifying whether a user's IP address belongs to a VPN service provider rather than a standard residential ISP or mobile carrier.

It helps businesses differentiate between legitimate users browsing from home and users attempting to mask their identity, location, or intent.

How It Works

VPN detection relies on massive databases of known IP ranges. APIs like IPASIS constantly scan the internet, analyzing traffic patterns and network signatures to identify:

• Datacenter IPs: IPs hosted on AWS, DigitalOcean, or obscure hosting providers.
• Proxy Networks: Residential IPs that show signs of being part of a rotating proxy botnet.
• Tor Exit Nodes: Publicly listed nodes of the Tor network.

Why Businesses Need It

1. Content Streaming: Enforce regional licensing agreements (e.g., Netflix blocking VPNs).
2. Fraud Prevention: Stop users from creating multiple accounts or abusing free trials.
3. Financial Compliance: Prevent money laundering and ensure users are in approved jurisdictions.

Implementation Example (Node.js)

Here is how you can detect a VPN using the IPASIS API in Node.js:

const checkIP = async (ip) => {
  const response = await fetch(`https://api.ipasis.com/v1/lookup?ip=${ip}&key=YOUR_KEY`);
  const data = await response.json();

  if (data.is_vpn || data.is_proxy) {
    console.log('User is hiding behind a VPN/Proxy');
    return false; // Block access
  }
  
  return true; // Allow access
};

FAQs