Can Sites Detect Your VPN or Tor?
We run multi-source IP analysis, check the official Tor Project exit node list, and compare server vs. client results to see how exposed your anonymity layer is.
How Do Sites Detect VPNs and Proxies?
Websites use several methods to detect anonymous connections: IP reputation databases flag known datacenter and VPN ASNs, Tor exit node lists are publicly available, and behavioral signals like timezone mismatches reveal VPN usage. Services like Netflix, banking sites, and government portals actively block IPs that fail these checks.
Detection Methods Used Here
- ip-api.com: Checks
proxyandhostingflags against IP reputation DB - ASN Pattern Matching: Compares your ISP/org against known VPN provider names
- check.torproject.org: Official Tor Project exit node lookup API
- Multi-source comparison: Detects split tunneling by comparing server vs. client IP
- Timezone heuristic: Flags timezone vs. IP country mismatches
Tor & Proxy Detection Test - FAQ
Everything you need to know about VPN and proxy detection, and how websites identify anonymous connections.
Can websites detect if I'm using a VPN?
Yes - most websites can detect VPN usage with high accuracy. They check your IP address against databases of known datacenter, hosting, and VPN provider IP ranges. Services like Netflix, banking portals, and streaming platforms actively block IPs that match VPN ASNs (Autonomous System Numbers). Additionally, timezone mismatches between your browser settings and your VPN's exit country are a strong detection signal used by fraud prevention systems.
How does Tor exit node detection work?
The Tor Project publicly publishes a list of all active exit node IP addresses. Any website can query this list - either directly or via the official check.torproject.org API - to instantly determine if an incoming connection is coming from the Tor network. This means using Tor does not provide anonymity from the fact that you're using Tor, even if it hides your real IP. Our test queries the Tor Project's official API in real time.
What is an ASN and why does it reveal VPN usage?
An ASN (Autonomous System Number) is a unique identifier assigned to networks on the internet. Every IP address belongs to an ASN, and ASN names are publicly readable. VPN providers operate large blocks of IPs registered under ASN names like "Mullvad VPN," "ExpressVPN," or "NordVPN Inc." - making them trivially detectable. Residential VPN providers (like Mysterium or Bright Data) use consumer ISP ASNs, making them much harder to detect.
What is split tunneling and how is it detected?
Split tunneling is a VPN feature that routes only some of your traffic through the VPN, while other traffic uses your real IP connection. Our multi-source IP consistency check compares your IP as seen from two independent sources. If they return different IPs, it indicates split tunneling, a transparent proxy, or a misconfigured VPN. Sophisticated fraud detection systems use this technique to catch users who think their VPN is protecting all their traffic.
Which VPNs are hardest to detect?
VPNs with residential IP addresses are the hardest to detect because their IPs appear to belong to regular home internet users rather than datacenters. Providers like Mullvad (with residential options), ProtonVPN, and some SOCKS5 residential proxies score better on detection tests. However, no VPN is undetectable if your browser's timezone, language, and WebRTC don't match your VPN's exit country - these non-IP signals reveal VPN usage regardless of IP quality.
Why does Netflix block VPNs?
Netflix blocks VPNs because their content licensing agreements are geo-restricted - they're legally required to only show certain shows in certain countries. When users bypass these restrictions via VPN, Netflix risks losing content deals. They use multiple detection methods: datacenter IP blacklists, ASN-based VPN detection, and DNS leak checks. Some VPN providers with residential IPs and obfuscated servers can bypass Netflix blocks, but this is a constant arms race.
Is using Tor illegal?
Using Tor is legal in most countries. Tor is used by journalists, activists, whistleblowers, and privacy-conscious individuals to protect their communications. However, some countries (China, Russia, Iran, Belarus) actively block or restrict Tor. The Tor Browser is developed by the non-profit Tor Project and is built on Firefox. What you do while using Tor is subject to the same laws as normal internet use - Tor does not provide a legal exemption for illegal activities.