In February 2016, the global content streaming service, Netflix, officially announced that it would block all VPNs and proxy use on its platform. This decision came as a response to the abuse of Anonymous IPs, which had been a persistent issue for the service. Although many users would employ Anonymous IPs for privacy and security reasons, some exploited them for illegal purposes. One example was Netflix users using VPNs to bypass the geo-restrictions on contents that are not available in their region. The geo-restrictions were put in place due to licensing agreements, but users soon discovered that accessing the platform through an IP from another country allowed them to stream the geo-restricted content. As a result, Netflix was forced to address the issues related to license and copyright infringement.
Anonymous IP utilizes methods such as VPNs, Tor Nodes, Proxies, and Data Centers to mask the IPs and the geolocation to protect the privacy of the user and provide a secure access to the web. However, it is also a double-edged sword that can very well be used for illegal activities such as:
- Manipulation of public opinion or reviews.
- Distribution of malware while concealing the distributor’s identity.
- Bypassing geo-pricing, which violates company policy.
- License and copyright infringement.
As such, detecting and blocking Anonymous IPs can be a smart move for companies and organizations of all industries to reduce the risk of cyber threats.
Many companies and organizations already make use of various solutions to respond to Anonymous IPs. Like Netflix, a significant number of content streaming services and other companies in the media & entertainment industry have adopted Anonymous IP-related solutions to protect their media contents. Some companies use Anonymous IP-related solutions to prevent DDoS attacks carried out by zombie PCs infected via Data Centers. Online game companies block illegal access to geo-blocked servers, and finance companies, including cryptocurrency platforms, prevent fraud by blocking attempts to bypass the geolocation restrictions.
Such solutions are largely categorized into two types: IP Reputation Database (often referred to as “IP Reputation Checkers”) and IP Reputation Filters. There are pros and cons to both types of solutions, and the choice between them depends on the available resources and the needs of the user.IP Reputation Database IP Reputation Filters - Focuses on providing detailed information about the IPs.
- Such information includes the method of creating Anonymous IPs, geolocation data, and domain information.
- The IP Reputation Database is constantly updated.
- The user is given more flexibility as the user can utilize the information to configure the security settings as fit.
- However, a deep understanding of security is required for the user to configure a robust security.
- Because the IP Reputation Database is constantly updated, the user has to subscribe to the database service, and in many cases, the user may be charged per query.
- Focuses on providing a proactive security solution by detecting and blocking the traffic based on the Anonymous IP list.
- IP Reputation Filters are often included in a Web Application Firewall (WAF) solution, and do not provide as much flexibility as the users configuring the security settings themselves.
- The performance of the IP Reputation Filter may depend on the source of the Anonymous IP list, update cycle, and the performance of WAF.
- However, users do not need expert-level security knowledge.
- Security measures can be quickly implemented.
- Resources required in configuring the security settings are greatly reduced.
- Penta Security’s direction in responding to Anonymous IPs is IP Reputation Filters. Penta Security currently provides a managed rule group, Cloudbric Managed Rules for AWS WAF – Anonymous IP Protection, in the AWS Marketplace.
- Taking advantage of the characteristics of managed rule groups for AWS WAF, which enables the user to quickly adopt the security rules predefined by security vendors simply through subscribing to the product, Penta Security provides a quick and easy solution for AWS WAF users to detect and block any threats that can be caused by Anonymous IPs. Penta Security’s Cloudbric Managed Rules for AWS WAF – Anonymous IP Protection is defined based on the Anonymous IP List, which is continuously updated with the latest IP Reputation data, collected and analyzed by Penta Security’s own Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI). With a cost efficient, pay-as-you-go pricing, users are able to implement a robust security solution against Anonymous IPs without the need for security expertise by subscribing to the product.
- Cloudbric Managed Rules for AWS WAF – Anonymous IP Protection is available at
About Penta Security
Penta Security takes a holistic approach to cover all the bases for information security. The company has worked and is constantly working to ensure the safety of its customers behind the scenes through the wide range of IT-security offerings. As a result, with its headquarters in Korea, the company has expanded globally as a market share leader in the Asia-Pacific region.
As one of the first to make headway into information security in Korea, Penta Security has developed a wide range of fundamental technologies. Linking science, engineering, and management together to expand our technological capacity, we then make our critical decisions from a technological standpoint.
About Version 2 Digital
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.
Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
