Tor IP detection tool is a network that encrypts data traffic and routes it across multiple relay points before reaching its destination. This anonymizing technique makes it difficult for authorities, ISPs, and websites to identify a user’s true IP address. While some users are legitimate, malicious actors frequently employ TOR connections to engage in activities such as data exfiltration, malware communication, and accessing unauthorized content.

Detecting Tor activity is essential to maintaining the security health of your organization. Several network and endpoint, SIEM, and security appliance logs can be correlated to detect and understand Tor usage. Combined with threat intelligence and behavioral signatures, these tools can provide insight into suspicious activity that may be related to the use of Tor.

Tor IP Detection Tool: Identify and Monitor Tor Network Users

One method of detecting Tor is by using a service like ExoneraTor to verify that an IP address was part of the Tor network on a given date. Another method is to block Tor traffic by adding a filter in layer 3 or 4 network devices such as firewalls and routers. For example, the FBI used this strategy to stop the GRIZZLY STEPPE actor’s ability to infect pirated software downloaded from torrent sites.

While integrating this detection capability into your environment requires additional infrastructure, this type of analysis can also be performed with existing network and endpoint logs using search and correlation tools. For example, a combination of Log Correlation Engine and Tenable Network Monitor can be used to discover Tor exit nodes, detect ports that are common for Tor communication, and look for anomalous activity related to the use of remote access tools within your environment.