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# What is VPN & proxy protection and how does it work?

### Why Use VPN & Proxy Protection?
Merchants commonly use VPN & Proxy Protection to:
* Reduce unwanted or suspicious traffic
* Monitor anonymous visitors
* Limit access from location-masking services
* Identify potentially risky storefront activity

### How It Works
When a visitor accesses your storefront, HUE Fraud Filter analyzes network signals that may indicate the use of:
* VPN services
* Proxy networks
* Privacy-focused browsers
* Anonymous connections
The detection is based on network signals and probabilities rather than a simple database lookup.
Because of this, legitimate shoppers using workplace VPNs, public Wi-Fi, privacy browsers, or mobile carrier networks may sometimes appear similar to visitors masking their location.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/9/c/d/7/9cd7b351fb9d9000/image_jb1t74.png =700x488)
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/9/c/d/7/9cd7b351fb9d9000/image_15z8w67.png =700x494)
### Available Actions
1. Block Them
* Detected visitors will be blocked from accessing the storefront and will see your configured blocked page.
Best for:
* Stores experiencing high levels of suspicious traffic
* Strict access control requirements
2. Watch Only
* Detected visitors are not blocked.
* Instead, HUE Fraud Filter records the activity so you can review how many visitors would have been affected before enabling blocking.
This is the recommended starting option for most stores.

### Understanding Watch Only Mode
When Watch Only is enabled:
* Visitors are not blocked
* Visitors can continue browsing normally
* Detection events are logged for review
* Activity can be analyzed before enforcing restrictions
This helps reduce the risk of blocking legitimate customers.

### Recent VPN & Proxy Activity
The VPN & Proxy Protection page displays recent statistics, including:
* Visitors detected
* Visitors blocked
* Visitors monitored in Watch Only mode
These insights help you understand how the protection is performing.

### Best Practice
We recommend starting with **Watch Only** mode for several days to understand visitor patterns before enabling blocking.
This allows you to review detection activity and minimize the chance of affecting legitimate shoppers.

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