VPN Server Exit IP Rotation for Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VPN technologies do not effectively protect user privacy by consistently changing exit IP addresses during an established VPN connection, leading to potential tracking of user device information such as location and browsing history.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a VPN server assigns and rotates different exit IP addresses for each data request within an established VPN connection, selecting them from a pool of available IP addresses, to prevent tracking and maintain user privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a VPN server uses a single static exit IP address for all data requests during an established VPN connection, then the connection stability and simplicity are maintained, but user privacy is compromised due to consistent tracking of the same IP address
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic IP address rotation where the VPN server automatically changes the exit IP address for different data requests during an established VPN connection. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain connection stability while preventing tracking by consistently changing the observable IP address, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic IP address rotation where exit IP addresses are changed at regular intervals or for each new data request. This periodic action ensures that no single IP address is used consistently, preventing tracking while maintaining the overall stability of the VPN connection through automated, rhythmic IP changes.
2Loss of information
If a VPN server rotates exit IP addresses for each data request, then user privacy and anti-tracking capabilities are enhanced, but the system complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The VPN server implements self-service IP rotation where the system automatically manages and rotates IP addresses without requiring manual intervention. The server autonomously selects and assigns different exit IP addresses from its pool, handling the complexity internally while presenting a simple, stable connection interface to the user, thus resolving the contradiction between privacy enhancement and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The VPN server is designed with multi-functionality to handle both connection management and IP address rotation within a single system. This universal design allows the server to perform multiple functions (maintaining connection stability, rotating IPs, managing pools) without requiring separate complex systems, thereby enhancing privacy while controlling overall system complexity.
3Loss of information
If multiple exit IP addresses are maintained in a pool for rotation, then privacy protection against tracking is improved, but the resource requirements and infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial IP rotation where not all IP addresses in the pool are actively rotated for every connection, but rather a sufficient subset is used to achieve effective privacy protection. This partial action approach provides adequate privacy protection against tracking while avoiding the need to maintain and manage excessively large IP address pools, thus resolving the contradiction between privacy protection and resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method including receiving, at a first VPN server during an established VPN connection, a first data request and a second data request from a user device; transmitting, by the first VPN server during the established VPN connection, the first data request to a second VPN server and the second data request to a third VPN server; receiving, by the first VPN server from the second VPN server during the established VPN connection, first data associated with the first data request; and receiving, by the first VPN server from the third VPN server during the established VPN connection, second data associated with the second data request, the second exit IP address being different from the first exit IP address. Various other aspects are contemplated.