Different Types of Proxy Servers and Their Features

Different Types of Proxy Servers and Their Features: All You Need To Know

What do you do when you are using the internet? Well, you connect your devices to the servers via mobile applications and websites. Apart from recognizing the user’s IP address, the servers can pinpoint its location including other information related to that IP address. Besides, the internet providers use this information for specific reasons like creating profiles of the time spent on the internet by the users. Additionally, they can advertise campaigns and sell information to corporate giants. You may think that it must be the biggest online threat ever. But it is not.

There is an even bigger threat than collecting and using users’ information. The biggest threat comes from hackers. They can access information via an unsecured internet connection and create havoc. Falling into the hands of hackers is easy these days. This is why you need specialized tools to safeguard your information against unethical usage. Typically, hackers target users’ bank details and passwords used for accessing cards. They search for login credentials that help them access your mail and social media platforms.

Proxy Server? What it is?

A proxy server behaves as a middleman between users and other servers. In short, you can access the internet more securely when using a proxy server. Information from users’ are circulated within proxy servers. These servers disguise the information from vulnerable third parties. Also, proxy servers are helpful when certain internet providers block website content within a particular geographical location. If you are using a proxy server, you can bypass these restrictions and enjoy blocked content.

Using Proxy Servers the Right Way:

Because of the proxy servers, you can browse the internet without worrying about hackers who are waiting to grab your personal information. Commercial websites and internet service providers cannot monitor your footprints online all the time. Therefore, you need to protect your identity and keep your data safe online.

• Caching – A proxy server stores copies of recent visits to specific web pages. That way, a user can experience fast loading speed whenever they revisit these websites.
• Data compression – First, the proxy server downloads data from the internet. The users’ view results in reduced size without external traffic.
• Control – An administrator has the power to grant access to specific websites to other users. You can skip vulnerable software and filter tempting ads.

Different Types of Proxy Servers:

In general, proxy servers are of three types. Let’s discuss these types of servers in detail. A complete breakdown helps you to understand the types of servers and their differences.

1. Transparent Proxy

User data remains intact when using a transparent proxy. It deals with HTTP traffic. Also, it leaves the users’ IP addresses unmasked. Most system administrators use this kind of proxy in an office setup. It restricts access to employees for specific websites. Low-level data protection is the biggest downside of using a transparent proxy.

2. Anonymous Proxy

In this type of proxy, the IP addresses of users change frequently. No one can know the IP address of a user when using an anonymous proxy. However, users’ anonymity comes at a price. The overall response process of the internet tends to slow down when using an anonymous proxy. Users can browse the internet without worrying about someone looking at their movements.

3. Reverse Proxy

This type of proxy works differently from the one mentioned above. The main objective of a reverse proxy server is to extract data files for a user from a single or many virtual machines. A user receives the response in the same way as a proxy server delivers.

How do you choose the best proxy server?

You need to evaluate your needs when choosing the best proxy server. Every user has different needs. Hence, find out what your needs are and choose accordingly. Here are some considerations to keep in mind before narrowing down your choices.

1. Server location

The physical location of the server influences the effectiveness of proxy servers. When you browse the web through that proxy server, it assigns your virtual IP address to match the physical location of the server. In short, the proxy server represents a specific country.

2. Not every proxy server is useful

Because of geographical restrictions, there could be a ban on specific web content. As you know, the United States blocks most torrent sites. However, you can access torrent services by using a Russian or a Ukrainian IP address.

3. Look out for the ping value from the server

Keep in mind that the proxy server will have slow requests in case the ping value is high. It impacts the overall loading speed of the web pages. Moreover, the productivity of the network takes a hit as well.

4. Proxy servers might not work

Sometimes, the proxy servers might not work as expected. So, how do you find it out? In that case, you can use free online tools to find the status of a particular proxy server. These online services evaluate the proxy servers for type, country, and availability. Testing IPv6 proxy servers is possible these days.

Methods to Ensure Online Security:

Apart from using a proxy server, there are other ways to protect data. That way, online identity stays secured to a maximum extent. One of the popular methods used for this purpose is Virtual Proxy Network or VPN. A VPN uses data encryption technologies alongside several security measures. As such, users can browse the internet in the safest way possible. Both proxy servers and VPNs safeguard users from vulnerable software and hackers that might come with some internet service providers. However, both these technologies have their advantages and downsides.

Difference between Proxy Server and VPN:

The basic difference between a proxy server and a VPN is that they are separate technologies. Both proxy servers and VPNs solve security problems. However, proxy servers are application protocols whereas VPNs represent virtual networks. They work differently. The VPN operates at the network (channel) level, establishing a direct connection without any intermediaries. So, it is safe to use a VPN when using public Wi-Fi. VPN encrypts your data. Third parties cannot take advantage of your information. Because of virtual proxy networks, users can protect their data and devices from the hands of cybercriminals.

Proxy Servers and VPNs: Advantages of Using Them

The extent of security that proxy servers and VPNs provide under different situations is worth noting. Both proxies and VPNs hide your personal data and IP address. However, users can benefit more when using a VPN because of several security measures. To find out which one is better, it is important to understand their strengths and weaknesses.

1. Online Privacy

A proxy server cannot guarantee a high-security level when it comes to protecting information like passwords. Proxies cannot hide your online passwords or movements all the time. On the other hand, VPNs can protect your personal information from hackers or vulnerable software. A VPN encrypts transmitted data and makes you safe online. When it comes to online privacy, the winner is VPN.

2. Requests Processing Speed

A VPN does not improve download speeds on websites. Chances are that the VPN might slow down the internet connection by 30%. It depends on the transmission protocol and data encryption type used for the purpose. If you connect to a public network using a VPN, it is the best way to protect your personal information. Because there is no encryption, the server that acts as a mediator cannot impact the connection speed. Still, it might affect the request processing speed. It depends on the users who are using the same virtual machine.

3. Internet Security

A VPN uses 256-bit data encryption technology. It means the security key has 256 binary files with two correct combinations. As a result, hackers cannot crack the security key and your personal information remains intact. Proxy servers can provide similar security as well. But it is nowhere near the protection a VPN offers. Proxies have settings that allow users to hide their IP addresses from ISPs and websites. If there is no such option, users have to integrate VPN into their browsers for improved security.

A Proxy Server or a VPN: What You Should Use

When you are using your computer at home to visit websites, your ISP processes requests to access rights related to the web resources. You have to decide whether or not to gain access to certain websites. In easy language, proxy servers change users’ activities in their browsers while hiding their physical location. When you connect to the internet via a VPN, it transmits encrypted data and protects your connection from vulnerabilities.

What is the need for using a proxy server?

Here are some important considerations worth looking into.

• Filter requests – You can use a proxy server to gain access to content from blocked websites. In addition, you can use a proxy server to set restrictions for users who are on the same proxy network. These are important factors to consider.

• Protection against data – Whenever you are browsing the internet from your IP address directly, you are inviting hackers to use your personal information. Leaving your sensitive information in the wild can have severe consequences. Hackers can use the data for their benefit. A proxy server reduces the vulnerability of cyberattacks on your home computer or other devices to up to 3-4X times.

• Anonymity on a network – Proxy servers can hide your real IP address. Therefore, the VM that runs your target website cannot find your actual location. Network anonymity is another factor to consider.
• Requests processing – You can enjoy fast internet speed when browsing because of caching on a proxy server. Browsing speeds increase when you use proxy servers as compared to VPNs. Proxy servers reduce traffic that comes from a targeted website.

VPNs offer everything that proxy servers offer. In addition, VPNs offer data encryption and provide a secure channel for transmitting outgoing data. VPNs hide your physical location and protect your data from falling into the wrong hands.

Proxy Server or VPN: How to Choose the Right One for Improved Security and Privacy

In a concerning world of online security and privacy, proxy servers and VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) have critical roles. Although there are differences between them, both these technologies can provide the right atmosphere for online security and privacy. To safeguard your activities online, it is important to understand the differences in how proxy servers and VPNs work. It helps you make informed decisions on what to choose for your specific needs.

Proxy Server:

Proxy servers are intermediaries between the internet and your computer or other devices. Whenever you send a request for a webpage, the proxy server forwards your request to the source. During the process, it masks your actual IP address. Typically, people use a proxy server for:

• Speed – A proxy server offers fast internet speeds because they do not encrypt user data. A VPN encrypts user data resulting in slow internet speeds.

• Access to restricted content – A proxy server helps users gain access to online content that has geo-blocking technology. It diverts your traffic to the desired location by using the servers in that region.
• Anonymity – A proxy server hides the IP address and makes it difficult for the websites to trace back users’ online activities.

Virtual Private Network (VPN):

A VPN builds an encrypted and secured channel between a VPN server and your computer or other devices. Because of the encryption, the internet traffic stays secure and private. People use VPNs for:

• Complete anonymity – VPNs can hide users’ IP addresses including data encryption. Users can enjoy complete anonymity and privacy when using VPNs as compared to using proxy servers.
• Improved security – A VPN encrypts user data making it difficult for third parties, internet service providers, and hackers to monitor online activities.
• Protection when using public Wi-Fi – A VPN is the best option when it comes to protecting user data on public Wi-Fi networks. It prevents potential cyberattacks.

It depends on the specific needs of users when choosing between proxy servers or VPNs. If you are looking for restricted content access and basic anonymity, a proxy server can fulfill your needs. If you seek improved protection, anonymity, and security when browsing the internet, a VPN is the right option for you.