VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) and proxies are tools that help mask an internet user’s original IP address. They can be used for a variety of reasons, including security and fraud. The problem is that proxies and VPNs can be abused to bypass security measures, such as firewalls, to access websites, online services, and applications. The good news is that there are ways to detect if a user is using a VPN on your network. This is where a VPN detection API comes in.
A VPN detection API will check if an internet connection is being routed through a proxy, VPN, or other anonymizing tool. Then it will use this data to assign a risk score for that user’s visit. This can help protect businesses from fraudulent activity, KYC and AML noncompliance fines, and other security issues.
Proxies and VPNs are often used to bypass geo restrictions, so detecting this behavior can be very helpful for those wanting to reduce their exposure to fraud or other security issues. For example, a consumer might connect through a VPN to watch a movie that is not available in their country. A VPN can also be used by businesses to protect their information from hackers. Detecting this behavior can help prevent data breaches and ensure that the information a customer enters on a website is valid.
Detecting a VPN can be challenging because the traffic is usually encrypted. It is possible to use a tool such as “netstat” to view the current connections on a device, but more advanced tools such as “wireshark” can analyze specific traffic in much more detail. However, these types of tools are not easy to integrate into a web application. A VPN detection API can save businesses a lot of time by automating this process.
In addition to detecting the presence of a VPN, a good solution will also provide details on which type of VPN it is and where the server is located. It will also provide information on whether the server is a VPN or a proxy, and it should give a general client threat score that can be used to identify the most high-risk users.
SEON offers a powerful and comprehensive suite of APIs that can be used to detect proxies, VPNs, TOR connections, and more. SEON also allows you to customize your rules based on specific data points, such as those that might indicate an increased risk of fraud.
To use the API, you will need a HTTPS POST endpoint and a callback function. The callback function will receive the test results and send a JSON payload to the POST endpoint. The payload will include a test result for each active and passive detection test. In order to enable passive tests, the enablePassiveCallback parameter must be set to true. The callback can also include an active test result if it is passed.