Proxy and VPN detection for secure transactions
Fraudsters use proxy servers to mask their true IP address, making it harder for fraud prevention systems to detect automated clicks and engagement. By identifying proxy and VPN traffic, it’s possible to identify fake clicks, ad fraud, account takeover, and other online threats.
Proxy and VPN detection for secure transactions detection is required for the best results. Using the latest data and combining multiple detection methods is the most reliable way to determine whether an IP address is associated with a VPN or proxy service.
Proxy and VPN detection requires examining a range of connection attributes, including the speed at which the device connects to the internet, the type and version of the operating system, and the packet headers (pieces of information transmitted with each network connection, like an addressed envelope with a sending and return address). Detection also includes non-standard ports that are typically used by VPNs. Alternatively, port scanning can be used to assess the open ports on a user’s device, but this method raises privacy concerns and can produce false positives when users change their operating system or firewall settings.
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Additional methods include analyzing the timezone configured on the user’s device with the expected time zone of the geographic location reflected in the device’s IP address. Additionally, ad tech companies can use geolocation data to identify proxy and VPN connections that are disrupting their ad campaigns and skewing marketing analytics. Managed security services providers can also integrate proxy/VPN detection into their front-line layer of threat detection and mitigation.