Check if an IP is a virtual private network privacy for users and bypass geographic restrictions on sites and services. However, they can also be used by hackers to carry out malicious activities like spoofing and spamming. Identifying if an IP address is using a virtual private network can help businesses and online platforms take the appropriate action to mitigate the risks.

To check if an IP is a virtual private network, you can use a free tool to check its public IP address. A public IP address shows basic information such as the internet service provider, city, state and country. However, a VPN-enabled IP will show different information like the VPN server it is connecting to and may even be shown as being in another country.

Test Your VPN Connection: A Simple Guide

You can also use a DNS lookup to determine if an IP address is connected to a VPN. A public VPN uses its own DNS servers to serve up web pages and other network traffic. However, if a VPN fails to properly route DNS requests it can expose your real IP address. You can check for DNS leaks by visiting WebRTC leak testing websites such as BrowserLeaks.

You can also check for an IP’s reputation by using a blacklisting tool to see if it has been associated with malicious activity. Blacklisting tools scan IP addresses and block or flag them if they have been linked to cyber attacks, hacking or spamming. However, this method can be ineffective as not all VPN providers are registered in the whois database.