When you use a VPN, a virtual private network that encrypts your traffic and hides your location. Also known as virtual private network, it lets you bypass government filters and access blocked sites. But in Iran, using a VPN isn’t just risky—it’s actively hunted. The Iranian government doesn’t just block VPNs; it detects them in real time using deep packet inspection, IP blacklists, and traffic pattern analysis. Even popular services like NordVPN or ExpressVPN get flagged, and users who connect to them can be tracked, fined, or worse.
Iran’s internet censorship, a state-controlled system that restricts access to foreign news, social media, and financial tools. Also known as digital repression, it’s one of the most aggressive in the world. They don’t just block websites—they monitor how you access them. If your traffic looks like a VPN—sudden spikes in encrypted data, connections to known server IPs, or consistent use of ports like 1194 or 443—you’re flagged. This isn’t theory. In 2023, Iranian authorities shut down over 300 domestic VPN providers and arrested users caught using them to access Telegram or WhatsApp. The crackdown isn’t random; it’s automated. Tools like the government surveillance, state-run systems that collect, analyze, and act on digital behavior. Also known as digital monitoring, it combines AI with human analysts to identify dissent. networks scan every connection, matching behavior against known patterns of circumvention tools.
What makes this worse is that many Iranians rely on VPNs for basic needs—banking apps, medical info, education platforms. When a VPN gets blocked, it’s not just about watching YouTube. It’s about losing access to life-saving services. Some users turn to obfuscation techniques like shadowsocks or bridge relays, but even those are being cracked. The government doesn’t just want to stop you—they want to know who you are, what you’re doing, and who you’re talking to. And they’re getting better at it every year.
What you’ll find in the posts below are real cases of how crypto exchanges, privacy tools, and digital platforms get caught in the crossfire of state control. From Upbit’s KYC crackdowns to TradeOgre’s seizure, these stories aren’t just about crypto—they’re about how power shapes access online. Whether it’s Iran, Canada, or South Korea, the pattern is the same: if you try to hide, they’ll find you. And if you don’t understand how detection works, you’re already one step behind.
Iranian crypto traders rely on VPNs to access global exchanges, but detection risks have surged in 2025. Free VPNs are dangerous, exchanges now track users through behavior and device fingerprints, and account freezes are common. Learn how the system works-and how to survive it.