How to Identify Tor Network IPs

The Identify Tor network IPs network (named for its onion-like appearance) is a series of volunteer-hosted servers that route your internet traffic. It’s a bit like a Virtual Private Network (VPN) but with additional layers to keep you secure and anonymous. The system works by connecting to what is called an ‘entry guard’ then passing through a ‘middle relay’ before exiting through an ‘exit node’.

This system can only hide your identity to the very last hop, meaning that if you are using a site that requires you to login with personal information then snoopers could eventually get around this protection and uncover your identity. As a rule of thumb, it is best not to connect to anything that requires your name and email address while connected to Tor.

Identifying Tor Network IPs – Top Tools and Techniques for Accurate Detection

Detecting connections to and from Tor can be an important tool in the OSINT arsenal. Whether reviewing logs for suspicious activity or enabling alerts, being able to identify Tor connections can help identify rogue activity.

As a result, the Tor project maintains an online service that answers the question: Was this IP address ever part of the Tor network? It uses a list of known Tor exit nodes to determine if the IP is one of them. This list is updated every hour and can be accessed via this API. In addition, this service can also provide you with the list of current Tor exit nodes by country.