Why VPN IPs Get Blocked
VPN traffic is everywhere. It is used by everyday users for privacy, but it is also a common tool for fraud, abuse, and automation. That combination is why VPN IPs are frequently challenged by websites and APIs, and only blocked when ACE shows specific attacks from those IPs.
FraudGuard helps security teams separate legitimate privacy use from high-risk VPN activity by correlating reputation signals, threat classifications, and network attribution in real time.
In ACE, 81% of IPs tagged vpn_tracker have proxied attacker requests in the last 90 days. That signal is why our default recommendation is to challenge VPN traffic first, then block only when attack activity is confirmed.
Why Sites Block VPN IPs
- Abuse concentration: A small number of VPN exit nodes can generate a large amount of malicious traffic.
- Credential abuse: Attackers use VPNs to hide origin during credential stuffing and account takeovers.
- Bot automation: VPNs are often paired with scripts and headless tools for scraping and abuse.
- Policy enforcement: Some services restrict access by region, licensing terms, or compliance rules.
- Risk scoring: IP reputation systems flag VPN nodes when they are associated with abuse.
How to Detect VPN Risk Without Overblocking
- Check reputation first: Not all VPN traffic is malicious. Risk scoring is the most reliable signal.
- Use threat context: Look for proxy, botnet, spam, or abuse classifications.
- Attribute the network: ASN and ISP data reveal whether the source is a common hosting or VPN provider.
- Apply tiered responses: Challenge
vpn_trackerIPs by default, block only when ACE confirms specific attacks, and allow known-good IPs.
How FraudGuard Helps
FraudGuard provides VPN-aware reputation signals and threat classifications so you can make fast decisions without overblocking.
- IP Lookup for quick checks and attribution
- IP reputation endpoint for automation and enforcement
- Advanced Threat Lookup to investigate patterns by ASN, ISP, or region
- Expand to bulk lookup v3 if you need to evaluate ranges or many IPs at once.
- For large-scale enforcement, the Offline Threat Database provides a near real-time copy of ACE.
Summary
VPN IPs are often challenged because they can concentrate abuse, obscure origin, and amplify automated attacks. The right approach is not a blanket ban, but challenge-first enforcement and blocking only when ACE confirms specific attacks. FraudGuard gives you the reputation context to make those decisions quickly and consistently.
Explore the full IP Reputation & Abuse Guide for related topics.
FAQ
-
Can a VPN IP be blocked?
Yes, but we recommend challenge by default and only block when ACE shows specific attacks from that IP.
-
Why do websites block VPNs?
Most sites challenge VPN traffic because it hides origin and concentrates abuse; blocking is reserved for confirmed attacks.
-
Are all VPN IPs malicious?
No. VPN endpoints are not inherently malicious; they are anonymization nodes.
-
How common is abuse on VPN IPs?
In ACE, 81% of IPs tagged vpn_tracker have proxied attacker requests in the last 90 days.
-
How can I reduce false positives on VPN traffic?
Use reputation and attribution to challenge first, then block only when attacks are confirmed.