Multiple Methods to Detect Anonymous Proxy Traffic

Detect anonymous proxies such as VPNs and residential proxies can be challenging. As websites increasingly rely on accurate user data to assess risks, prevent fraudulent activities, and provide safe browsing experiences, the detection of fake or abused connections becomes critical. Encountering the message “Anonymous Proxy Detected” can be frustrating for users as it may hinder access to certain websites or services. In addition, it can make it difficult to prove that the connection is not a proxy or bot.

Several methods have been developed to detect VPNs and other types of proxies. However, each method has its limitations. As a result, using multiple detection methods is the best way to minimize erroneous results.

How to Detect Anonymous Proxies, VPNs, and Residential Proxies

A recent study analyzed the effectiveness of various techniques to detect proxy traffic. It used one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (CNN) to categorize the packet inter-arrival time sequences of a flow. The method has comparable detection performance to the state-of-the-art methods.

Proxies can be classified into three categories: transparent, anonymous, and elite. Transparent proxies remove the device and IP address information in the header, but they still show the source in the Via field, making them a simple proxy to detect.

A VPN, on the other hand, is more sophisticated and offers a higher degree of anonymity. A VPN encrypts traffic, meaning that websites cannot see your device’s or network’s original IP address. While the VPN is more difficult to detect than a transparent proxy, it still leaves behind traces that can be picked up by a website, so combining multiple detection methods is the most reliable way to identify VPN usage and mitigate false positives.