Methods for tracking attacking nodes are described and include extracting, from a database, an instance of each unique packet header associated with IP-to-IP packets transmitted over a time period. The method includes determining from extracted headers, which nodes have attempted to establish a connection with an excessive number of other nodes over a period, identifying these as potential attacking nodes, determining from the headers, which other nodes responded with a TCP SYN/ACK packet indicating a willingness to establish connections, and a potential for compromise. Nodes scanned by potential attacking nodes are disqualified from the identified nodes based on at least one of: data in the headers relating to at least one of an amount of data transferred, and scanning activities conducted by the nodes that responded to a potential attacking node with a TCP SYN/ACK packet. Any remaining potential attacking nodes and scanned nodes are presented to a user.