Thread

1. SoftTalker · 1790960547 · focus · HN ↗

   > platforms are left with an impossible choice: completely block all VPN traffic nationwide or withdraw access from Utah entirely

   Is it even possible to reliably know that a connection is from a VPN? Anyone can proxy through a random hosting provider.

   1. not_a_bot_4sho · 1790961532 · focus · HN ↗

      Kinda.

      I use VPN most of the time. My work requires it, and I like Mozilla VPN for personal privacy. (Note: it has ad blocking DNS built in which is nice!)

      I occasionally get blocked by websites or services, especially streaming apps, if I'm on VPN. I suspect they're just looking out for Amazon/Microsoft/etc IP address blocks. It's very annoying

      1. Aurornis · 1790963869 · focus · HN ↗

         That's not the same. You get blocked because the IP address you're coming from is associated with a VPN list, not because they're analyzing the traffic in detail.

         The simplest methods block known datacenter IP ranges like you thought. More will score it based on several heuristics and a reputation over time. If you get 100 different users connecting from a single IP, it's probably not someone's home internet connection.

         1. a4isms · 1790967633 · focus · HN ↗

            > If you get 100 different users connecting from a single IP, it's probably not someone's home internet connection.

            Or, their so-called "smart" TV is acting as a proxy without their informed consent.

            1. someonebaggy · 1791027800 · focus · HN ↗

               One of the positive side effects of smart TV proxies: IP addresses become useless information.
         2. medvidek · 1791009995 · focus · HN ↗

            > If you get 100 different users connecting from a single IP, it's probably not someone's home internet connection.

            In some parts of the world hiding (NAT) entire neighborhoods behind one public IP is normal practice.

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