What is a Proxy Server and How Does it Work?
Put simply, a proxy is an intermediary server between two devices on a network. It’s like a lofty viaduct connecting you to the wilderness of the internet.
The word “proxy” has been floating around the internet for quite a while. Though it might be hard to believe, you don’t need to be that tech-savvy to start using proxies.
Let’s take a look at what’s it all about and why folks plump for proxy servers.
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What is a proxy?
Let’s learn right off the bat that a proxy is a server that acts as a gateway or intermediary between any device and the rest of the internet. A proxy accepts connection requests, forwards them to other servers, and then returns data for those requests. Sure, that’s pretty basic as there are dozens of proxy types with their distinct configurations. Yet, this definition serves well as a starting point.
Say, your device is a house on a particular street with a certain number (or an IP address). You wouldn’t want a stranger laying their hands on your property, would you? That’s where a proxy server comes in. A mailman, if you wish. A trusty mailman who hides your number.
When using a proxy, the information that you send and receive doesn’t go from your home (your real IP) address, but through the proxy server instead.
A proxy forwards your connection requests to websites without revealing your data but still gathers the information you need. This way your details remain secure and unattainable. How does the other side see it? The website you’re accessing will see the IP address of a proxy, not yours.
What are the most popular types of proxies?
There’s quite a good slew ofproxy types out there. If you’re looking for an extensive analysis of all possible kinds of proxies, take a gander atthis blog post. Below, we’re gonna put the three most common proxy types under the microscope.
Residential proxies
Residential proxies maintain the highest quality because they look like real mobile or desktop devices. In fact, they ARE real devices. Each residential IP is an actual device that acts like a proxy server. So to any site, traffic coming from residential proxies looks like a request from an ordinary person, just like you and me.
And listen to this piece of mind-blowing news – even if you “abuse” a residential proxy and the server blocks it, you can use another residential proxy from the same server without any issues. Residential proxies are immune to blocks and are the safest and most reliable ones. Period.
Datacenter proxies
Datacenter proxies are virtual IP addresses created in powerful server hubs. A single server can host oceans of datacenter proxies, but they’ll all share the IP subnetwork of that server. For example, the number 14 in these IP addresses indicates a C class subnetwork: 65.78.14.1, 65.78.14.50.
This is why they aren’t used in large numbers – any server can block the whole subnetwork. Datacenter proxies are more prone to cloaking or a ban as their connections look like fake internet traffic.
I guess you’re kinda on the edge of lost, asking yourself why people even use these proxies? Well, calm down. Datacenter proxies do have their strengths if compared with residential IPs. One redeeming quality of datacenter proxies is that they’re a lot faster than other proxies.
Dedicated datacenter proxies
Datacenter proxy pools are composed of shared proxies – several people can use them simultaneously. The problem is that you’ll be more likely to get blocked (together with all the folks sharing the same pool) when targeting data that everyone scrapes at the same time.
But hey, there’s no need to feel low-spirited. Choose private datacenter proxies, get more privacy, and give unexpected blocks a wide berth.
Other types of proxies
The classification above gives proxies their names depending on where the servers get their IP addresses from. If we classify proxies based on how personal identification information is shared (treated), we’d batch proxies in anonymous and transparent.
All of the above – residential, datacenter, and private datacenter proxies – can be anonymous or transparent. Let us shed some light on both types.
Anonymous proxies
An anonymous proxy doesn’t send your identification information to a target server. It pretends to be an actual user, as opposed to a non-anonymous proxy, which notifies servers that it’s a proxy. If truth be told, anonymous proxies are the most typical standard for proxies these days as more and more people are expressing concerns over data security.
Transparent proxies
On the other side of the ring, we have transparent proxies. Unlike anonymous proxies, these don’t change a client’s IP address and pass it directly to the websites accessed. Such proxies often act as gatekeepers that authenticate users and give them access to the network.
Transparent proxies usually sit between devices in a public Wi-Fi network and the internet. Public places like airports, libraries, and shopping centers use transparent proxy servers for content monitoring.
No surprise, transparent proxies face some criticism due to serious security vulnerabilities and susceptibility to man-in-the-middle attacks.
Got one, now what? Why proxies?
Okay, so now you’re armed with knowledge about what proxies are and how they work, but why the hell do people use them? With plenty of websites to choose from, proxies have become a handy tool to access their content.
The main purpose of using a proxy server is to stay anonymous, whether it would be for personal or professional use. What exactly do we have in mind? See below!
Avoid geo-restrictions
True, many websites limit access to some geographic regions. They detect locations by checking the IP addresses of every device that tries to connect to their servers.
To avoid geo-blocks and access region-specific information, people asked for help from proxy servers. These will hide your IP address and change it to the proxy IP.
You can be in Sri Lanka and still access US-only content. You may work in the Dominican Republic and still view German adverts. Dude, really! With proxies, any location is at your disposal!
Increase security
Your IP address is a highly sensitive and quite vulnerable piece of information. It pinpoints your location and internet service provider. And this might be enough for hackers to use such information to their advantage.
Actually, browsing the internet with your IP address in the open is the same as displaying your social security number, credit card, or passport everywhere you go. This way, hackers can use any IP address to track you or break into your device. Scary, huh?
Using a proxy server will hide your sensitive information from potential threats. Not to brag, but proxies make your private information private. They significantly reduce access to your personal data.
On a final note, always choose proxies from reliable providers that have good reviews and offer customer support. Yes, they’ll cost a cent or two but free proxies are just not worth the risk. They collect your data and might share it with third parties, which won’t increase your security, but the opposite – make you even more vulnerable online.
What I can do with proxies
Short answer: a looooot! From SEO analysis to brand protection, from dating on Tinder to searching for plane tickets, from getting online votes to verifying ads – proxies can fulfill basically all your needs!
You can use proxies for:
- Market research
- Social media
- Retail
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What is my proxy compatible with?
So where do I start?
Someone told you that you need remarkable programming skills if you want to use proxies? Hooey! Don’t believe any of that guff! You don’t need to be a superhuman geek to set up a proxy. The whole process doesn't take more than a minute or two.
Our proxy network lets you choose which of the 195+ locations you want to connect to, whether you want to use a single IP address (a sticky session) or a random IP for each connection (a rotating session), and finally access data online anonymously. It’s simple, painless, and easy-breezy.
Oh, yeah, almost forgot! It’s also completely risk-free. We offer a three-day money-back option (of course, certain terms apply).
Are you still here? Don’t dawdle! Go register now, choose your plan, make a payment, and start enjoying exclusive benefits that are available only with the help of proxies!
If you want to set up a particular bot or scraper, check out our helpful guides here.
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Frequently asked questions
How does a proxy work?
If you use a proxy, your connection goes through a proxy server. In other words, when you try to access a certain website, your connection request doesn’t go directly to the website. It first goes to a proxy server, which then forwards your request to the website you’re trying to reach. This way, your real IP address stays anonymous but you’re still able to access the information you need on that website.
What are the advantages of using a proxy server?
If you want to increase your privacy, gather data, manage multiple accounts, crack firewalls, or access location-specific content, it’s impossible to do all that from a single IP address. Using a proxy server enables you to use multiple IPs to access information from all over the world without restrictions.
What is the main function of a proxy?
The main reason why proxies were created was to hide your real IP address so that you could stay anonymous whether it would be for personal or professional use.
Is a proxy better than VPN?
Both VPN and proxies hide the IP address of your device. Unlike VPN, a proxy server doesn’t encrypt your traffic. This is the key reason why proxies are generally faster than VPN. As a result, using a proxy will let you enjoy better download/upload speeds when compared to VPN.
How can I set up and use Smartproxy proxies?
Simply access our dashboard using the start guide. In case you run into any problem, don’t hesitate to review our resources or drop a line to our customer support team.
What should I consider before buying proxies?
We’ve drawn up this handy checklist so that you’d know what you should pay attention to before choosing proxies:
- Traffic – think about how much traffic you’re gonna need so that it’d be easier to decide what pricing model (based on traffic or the number of requests) would suit you most.
- Proxy pool size – check how many IP addresses are on offer and what the quality of those IPs is. Think of some extra details too, e.g. proxy speed.
- Locations – do you have access to country- or city-specific ports, or both? How many countries does a proxy network cover?
- Pricing – don’t get easily seduced by free proxies as they possess some cybersecurity risks and perform poorly. Always look for reasonably-priced proxies from reliable providers.
- Customer support – make sure your proxy provider has unwavering customer support in case you run into any trouble.