Proxy IP Identification via Network Delay Ratio Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for identifying proxy IP addresses are either incomplete due to reliance on published proxy server lists or inefficient due to long scanning cycles, and there is a need for a method to quickly and accurately determine if an IP address is a proxy IP address.

Innovation Solution

By measuring the ratio of network delays between a server and a terminal establishing a TCP connection and a server and a prior-hop router, identifying if the ratio exceeds a threshold to determine if the IP address is a proxy IP address.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If reverse detection scanning all IPs is performed to determine whether proxy ports are open, then identification accuracy is improved, but scanning cycle becomes very long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidscanning cycle
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification process into two distinct phases: a fast preliminary screening phase using network delay measurement, and a subsequent detailed verification phase. This segmentation allows the system to quickly filter out obvious non-proxy IPs before investing resources in more time-consuming verification methods, thereby reducing the overall scanning cycle while maintaining identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by using network delay measurement as a sufficient condition for identifying proxy IPs in many cases, without requiring complete verification of all possible proxy indicators. This partial approach achieves acceptable identification accuracy while dramatically reducing the time required compared to exhaustive scanning methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Productivity

If proxy server list collection is performed through crawler extraction, then identification speed is improved, but information completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification speedVSAvoidinformation completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically discover and identify proxy IPs through active network probing and delay measurement, rather than relying on externally maintained proxy lists that require continuous crawling and updating. This self-service approach ensures the system always has current information without depending on the completeness of published proxy server lists.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary network delay measurement on target IPs before attempting to use them or before more detailed verification. This preliminary action quickly identifies proxy characteristics without requiring complete proxy list information in advance, allowing the system to proceed with identification even when proxy list information is incomplete or outdated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3092749B1Method and apparatus of identifying proxy IP address
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LTD
  • EP3092749B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3092749B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3092749B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and an apparatus of identifying a proxy IP address. The method includes determining a first network delay between a server and a terminal that establishes a TCP connection with the server using an IP address as a user IP address; determining a second network delay between the server and a router that is a hop prior to the IP address; determining whether a ratio between the first network delay and the second network delay is greater than a threshold; and identifying the IP address as a proxy IP address when the ratio between the first network delay and the second network delay is greater than the threshold. Using the technical solution of the present disclosure, identifying whether an IP address is a proxy IP address can be made quickly and accurately.