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If you are new to proxies, you might be confused how many proxy types there are: residential proxies, rotating proxies, data center proxies, backconnect proxies, and SSL proxies.
The proxy ‘type’ usually refers to one of its two traits: the connection method or the type of the device acting as your proxy. HTTPS, or SSL, proxies denote the protocol you use to connect through the proxy server. Namely, the HTTPS protocol.
What is an SSL Proxy
An SSL proxy is a proxy server that uses the SSL protocol. The abbreviation SSL means Secure Sockets Layer. It is also the ‘s’ in HTTPS –the hypertext transfer protocol over SSL. This is the protocol that has become the security standard of the World Wide Web for several years, now.
This means that an HTTPS proxy is simply a proxy that uses the HTTP protocol over SSL.
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A proxy that uses the SSL layer for the HTTP protocol has two major advantages: it is safer and more anonymous than simple HTTP proxies. You see, the HTTPS protocol does not transfer your data in a plain-text format. The SSL layer encrypts your data, so it is never visible to third parties.
If you connect through an SSL proxy server, you will not only stay safe due to the industry-grade SSL encryption, but you will also hide your IP address. HTTPS proxies are the perfect solution if you want both anonymity and security.
HTTPS proxies use the SSL layer to encrypt any information going between your endpoint and the website, service, or server you want to access. This process is completely identical to the way you connect to any SSL–certified website. The SSL certificate that enables the HTTPS connection is the industry standard. Most major browsers will warn you about accessing a site that does not have an SSL certificate.
James Keenan
Senior content writer
The automation and anonymity evangelist at Smartproxy. He believes in data freedom and everyone’s right to become a self-starter. James is here to share knowledge and help you succeed with residential proxies.
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