VPN usage detection and analytics, pose serious challenges for businesses that rely on accurate analytics and risk scoring. Detecting VPN users can help companies maintain fair pricing strategies, enforce fraud prevention policies, and deliver a more authentic customer experience.

A VPN encrypts data and routes it through a remote server, so users’ real IP addresses appear to change. This creates problems for businesses that rely on location data for geo-targeted ads, user analytics, and other marketing initiatives. By detecting VPNs, marketers can improve ROI by filtering out fraudulent traffic and focusing on the right audiences.

VPN Usage Detection and Analytics for Smarter Security

Some VPNs use specialized protocols that reduce packet sizes, making them more recognizable by web servers. Other techniques include examining device local time settings or network-level activity, such as port scanning and DNS leak detection. However, such methods are not foolproof and often cause false alarms, especially when a user has ports open for work-from-home tools or file-sharing apps.

The good news is that there are ways to detect VPNs, including pattern recognition and behavioral analysis. Rather than relying on isolated indicators, look for holistic models that take into account the full context of each user’s behavior and data set. Combining different methods can also help improve accuracy and limit the impact of false positives. Lastly, remember that advanced VPNs employ evasion techniques, such as IP rotation and residential proxies, to avoid detection. Detecting VPNs requires regular updates to intelligence databases and careful maintenance of detection models to ensure that they remain effective.