Dynamic Web Content Beacon for Real IP Address Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for concealing or masking Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, while intended for privacy and security, can be exploited by malicious actors to disguise their identity, and fail to accurately track real IP addresses behind anonymous proxies, leading to potential identity compromise.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that automatically embeds and executes dynamic web content within a user's web browser to establish a direct network connection with a target website, allowing the website to detect the user's real IP address, originally assigned by their Internet Service Provider, even when anonymizing systems like Anonymous Proxy Servers are in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Anonymous Proxy Server routing is used to mask IP address, then user privacy and security are improved, but the ability to identify the real IP address deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by embedding a beacon in the website content before the user accesses it. When the user's browser retrieves the website, the beacon is automatically downloaded and executed, establishing a direct connection to the server before any masking can occur. This preliminary embedding ensures that the real IP address is captured at the moment of connection establishment, overcoming the IP masking provided by Anonymous Proxy Servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon acts as an intermediary mechanism between the website server and the user's browser. It is a small piece of code that mediates the connection by establishing a direct communication channel independent of the proxy server routing. The beacon downloads additional code that creates this direct path, allowing the server to identify the real IP address while the user continues to believe their IP is masked through the proxy.
2Measurement precision
If dynamic web content with beacon is embedded and executed, then real IP address identification is improved, but device complexity and user operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon is designed as a lightweight, disposable element embedded in web content. It is a small piece of code that performs its function of establishing a direct connection and capturing the IP address, then completes its purpose. The beacon and its associated downloaded code are temporary and serve only the immediate function of IP identification, minimizing the lasting complexity added to the system.
3Measurement precision
If direct network connection is established through beacon execution, then real IP address tracking is improved, but user anonymity and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures the real IP address at the preliminary stage when the beacon first executes and establishes the direct connection. This preliminary action occurs before the user can take any measures to protect their anonymity or before the proxy server can fully mask their identity. By acting at this earliest moment, the system secures the real IP address information while the user remains under the impression their anonymity is protected.
Data Source
AI summary
A system identifies a real Internet Protocol (IP) address of a computer device having a browser and software for masking the real IP address. The system includes a server in communication with the device through an Anonymous Proxy Server (APS), an algorithm, and a website with embedded dynamic web content from the server. The algorithm identifies the real IP address, and executes the dynamic web content on the browser to open a direct network connection between the server and device. The network connection identifies the real IP address. A method for identifying the real IP address includes embedding dynamic web content within the website, executing the content within the browser when the device accesses the website via a first network connection, thereby opening a second network connection between the server and device. The real IP address is identified over the second network connection, and a security action may be executed.