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Volume 16
Issue 2
10.3390/info16020126
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Article

Unmasking the True Identity: Unveiling the Secrets of Virtual Private Networks and Proxies

by
Vikas Kumar Jain
1,
Jatin Aggrawal
2,
Ramraj Dangi
3,
Shiv Shankar Prasad Shukla
2,
Anil Kumar Yadav
2 and
Gaurav Choudhary
4,*
1
School of Technology Management and Engineering, SVKM’S NMIMS, Indore 452005, India
2
School of Computing Science Engineering and Artificial Intelligence, VIT Bhopal University, Sehore 466114, India
3
School of Computing Science and Engineering, VIT Bhopal University, Sehore 466114, India
4
DTU Compute, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Information 2025, 16(2), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/info16020126
Submission received: 7 January 2025 / Revised: 31 January 2025 / Accepted: 6 February 2025 / Published: 9 February 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Generation Communication Networks and Systems in Smart Cities: Enhancing Connectivity, Security, and Performance)
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Abstract

The growing use of VPNs, proxy servers, and Tor browsers has significantly enhanced online privacy and anonymity. However, these technologies are also exploited by cybercriminals to obscure their identities, posing serious cybersecurity threats. Existing detection methods face challenges in accurately tracing the real IP addresses hidden behind these anonymization tools. This study presents a novel approach to unmasking true identities by leveraging honeypots and Canarytokens to track concealed connections. By embedding deceptive tracking mechanisms within decoy systems, we successfully capture the real IP addresses of users attempting to evade detection. Our methodology was rigorously tested across various network environments and payload types, ensuring effectiveness in real-world scenarios. The findings demonstrate the practicality and scalability of using Canarytokens for IP unmasking, providing a non-intrusive, legally compliant solution to combat online anonymity misuse. This research contributes to strengthening cyber threat intelligence, offering actionable insights for law enforcement, cybersecurity professionals, and digital forensics. Future work will focus on enhancing detection accuracy and addressing the advanced evasion tactics used by sophisticated attackers.
Keywords: anonymous; network; honeypot; security; troublemakers; VPN anonymous; network; honeypot; security; troublemakers; VPN

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MDPI and ACS Style

Jain, V.K.; Aggrawal, J.; Dangi, R.; Prasad Shukla, S.S.; Yadav, A.K.; Choudhary, G. Unmasking the True Identity: Unveiling the Secrets of Virtual Private Networks and Proxies. Information 2025, 16, 126. https://doi.org/10.3390/info16020126

AMA Style

Jain VK, Aggrawal J, Dangi R, Prasad Shukla SS, Yadav AK, Choudhary G. Unmasking the True Identity: Unveiling the Secrets of Virtual Private Networks and Proxies. Information. 2025; 16(2):126. https://doi.org/10.3390/info16020126

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jain, Vikas Kumar, Jatin Aggrawal, Ramraj Dangi, Shiv Shankar Prasad Shukla, Anil Kumar Yadav, and Gaurav Choudhary. 2025. "Unmasking the True Identity: Unveiling the Secrets of Virtual Private Networks and Proxies" Information 16, no. 2: 126. https://doi.org/10.3390/info16020126

APA Style

Jain, V. K., Aggrawal, J., Dangi, R., Prasad Shukla, S. S., Yadav, A. K., & Choudhary, G. (2025). Unmasking the True Identity: Unveiling the Secrets of Virtual Private Networks and Proxies. Information, 16(2), 126. https://doi.org/10.3390/info16020126

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