Tor (short for The Onion Router) is a free, decentralized network that anonymizes user traffic by routing it through multiple volunteer-operated nodes. While it was originally developed for secure communications, it’s now widely used by privacy advocates, whistleblowers—and, unfortunately, cybercriminals.
Because it hides a user's IP address and location, Tor is frequently used to:
In short, it's a common tool in the fraud toolkit.
A Tor Detector is a tool that can identify whether an IP address belongs to the Tor network. It checks incoming IPs against an up-to-date list of known Tor exit nodes and flags those connections.
Your IP Intelligence API includes robust Tor detection as part of its threat analysis suite. When a user connects to your platform, the API instantly identifies whether they’re coming from a Tor node, and lets you decide how to respond.
This isn’t just another IP lookup—it’s a powerful real-time decision-making tool to help you:
Online anonymity can be a useful tool—but for businesses dealing with fraud, compliance, and data security, it’s often a liability.
Here’s where Tor detection becomes essential:
Many fake accounts are created using Tor to avoid detection. Identifying these early lets you stop abuse before it spreads.
Tor is frequently used in credential stuffing and account takeover attacks. A login attempt from a Tor exit node is a strong signal to take action—be it additional verification or outright blocking.
If you're measuring user behavior, acquisition, or location-based trends, traffic from the Tor network can skew your data.
Your platform’s credibility relies on real users. Letting anonymous traffic run unchecked increases the risk of spam, harassment, and abuse.
Every request to your app or website comes with an IP address. When you pass that IP to our IP Intelligence API, the response includes a flag for is_tor
.
json
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{
"ip": "185.220.101.1",
"security": {
"is_vpn": true,
"is_proxy": false,
"is_tor": false,
"is_hosting": true,
"is_relay": true,
"is_mobile": false,
"is_abuse": false
},
....
}
Based on this data, your backend can:
While proxies and VPNs can also anonymize traffic, Tor stands apart due to:
Our Tor detector is built specifically to stay updated with real-time Tor exit node lists, ensuring high accuracy even as new nodes are spun up and rotated.
Our Tor detection API is lightweight, fast, and built for developers. Key features include:
Just one API call gives you access to full IP analysis, including VPN, proxy, and Tor indicators—making it easy to centralize all fraud checks.
It’s important to note: Not all Tor users are malicious. Some simply want more privacy.
That’s why our API gives you flexibility—you can choose how to handle Tor traffic based on your platform’s needs. You’re not forced to block all Tor connections, but you are equipped with the data needed to make smart choices.
If your platform relies on identity, trust, or user behavior analytics, a Tor detection test is a must-have.