Can VPS Block Server for Mining Through VPN?

Yes, a VPS provider can block a server for cryptocurrency mining even when using a VPN. A VPN connection hides traffic from your internet provider, but VPS providers have access to the server and can detect mining through network activity analysis, resource monitoring, and specialized detection systems.

Table of Contents

• How VPS providers detect mining through VPN
• VPN effectiveness for hiding mining
• Provider policies and consequences of violations
• Alternative options for mining
• Recommendations for minimizing risks

How VPS providers detect mining through VPN

VPS providers use several methods to detect cryptocurrency mining, even when traffic passes through a VPN:

Network traffic analysis
Providers employ advanced traffic analysis methods, including passive and active monitoring. They can identify characteristic mining traffic patterns, such as:

• Constant connections to mining pools
• Specific ports and protocols (Stratum)
• Abnormal outbound traffic volumes
• Statistical characteristics of data packets

Information: Modern detection systems like Cisco Stealthwatch can analyze network activity in real-time and detect mining even in encrypted traffic.

Resource usage monitoring
VPS providers actively monitor:

• Constant high CPU load
• Abnormal memory consumption
• Increased processor temperatures
• Unusual system activities

Machine learning and metadata analysis
Providers use machine learning algorithms to analyze network metadata. Studies show these methods can achieve high accuracy in detecting mining through analysis of long-term dependencies and statistical characteristics of traffic source.

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VPN effectiveness for hiding mining

A VPN connection does hide activity from your internet provider, but not from the VPS provider:

What VPN hides:

• The true source of traffic for your internet provider
• Geographic location
• Specific internet activities

What VPN doesn’t hide from VPS providers:

• The fact of using the server
• Active processes on the server
• Network activity within the provider’s infrastructure
• Server resource consumption

As noted in research, even when using VPN to mask traffic, detection systems can identify mining based on network pattern analysis and system behavior source.

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Provider policies and consequences of violations

Most serious VPS providers have clear policies prohibiting mining:

Typical prohibitions:

• Using CPU/GPU for mining
• Installing mining software
• Connecting to mining pools
• Creating mining farms

Consequences of violations:

• Immediate server shutdown
• Possible account blocking
• Loss of prepaid amounts
• Provider blacklists

As Oudel Inc points out, if a provider detects mining, the server will be disabled and you will lose access to it.

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Alternative options for mining

If you want to engage in mining, there are more suitable options:

Specialized mining hosts

• Offers from providers that allow mining
• Servers optimized for GPU/CPU mining
• Support for mining pools and software

Dedicated servers

• Full control over hardware
• No restrictions on resource usage
• Ability to install any software

Home mining farms

• Full control over equipment
• No risk of account blocking
• But higher electricity costs

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Recommendations for minimizing risks

If you still decide to use a VPS for mining, consider the following recommendations:

Provider selection

• Look for providers that allow mining
• Research reviews from experienced miners
• Check resource usage policies

Activity masking

• Use resources moderately
• Avoid constant 100% CPU usage
• Periodically restart servers
• Use different mining pools

Technical measures

• Use second-level proxy servers
• Encrypt traffic within the server
• Regularly update software and change IP addresses

However, as experts warn, mining on a VPS is in most cases ineffective and doesn’t cover the costs source.

Sources

1. Oudel Inc - Can I use VPS for Crypto Mining?
2. ScienceDirect - How to detect cryptocurrency miners? By traffic forensics!
3. Cisco Blogs - Three ways to detect cryptomining activities using network security analytics
4. Frontiers in Physics - Identification technique of cryptomining behavior based on traffic features
5. ScienceDirect - Cryptomining makes noise: Detecting cryptojacking via Machine Learning
6. Contabo - Cryptocurrencies and Contabo Servers

Conclusion

• VPS providers can detect mining even when using VPN through traffic analysis and resource monitoring
• VPN protects from the internet provider but not from the VPS host itself
• Most serious providers have strict prohibitions on mining with immediate server blocking
• Mining on a VPS is in most cases ineffective and doesn’t cover the costs
• For legal mining, it’s better to use specialized hosting or dedicated servers
• If you still decide to use a VPS, choose providers that allow mining and apply activity masking measures