A proxy server (from the English "proxy" - trusted) is an intermediate server that acts as an intermediary between your device and the Internet.
When your computer sends or receives data on the internet, that data goes through a proxy, which can change your IP address, store cached data, block certain content, or provide additional layers of protection.
This technology can be thought of as a gateway that protects and filters data streams, but in reality, its capabilities are much broader. A personal proxy server acts as a kind of buffer between the outside world and your network, providing protection from external influences, maintaining your privacy, and optimizing network interaction.
Free proxies are available to everyone, but have a clear disadvantage: they are used by many people at the same time, which leads to low speed and possible compromise of the server, which reduces anonymity.
Private proxies cost money, but provide higher speed and security. You can also choose shared proxies - these are paid servers available to a group of users, which makes them more affordable, but with the same quality.
In addition, proxies can be dynamic and static . Dynamic proxies change their IP address, while static proxies retain the same address for a long time.
Proxies are also classified by their level of anonymity:
How to get a proxy and check its functionality?
Proxy servers can be purchased and configured independently, but it is easier to rent them from a trusted service.
To check the functionality of a proxy, you can use the "ping" command, as well as special checker services.
When your computer sends or receives data on the internet, that data goes through a proxy, which can change your IP address, store cached data, block certain content, or provide additional layers of protection.
This technology can be thought of as a gateway that protects and filters data streams, but in reality, its capabilities are much broader. A personal proxy server acts as a kind of buffer between the outside world and your network, providing protection from external influences, maintaining your privacy, and optimizing network interaction.
What are proxy servers used for?
Proxy servers offer many useful features, including:- Manage multiple accounts when one IP address is not enough.
- Ensure anonymity by hiding or changing your IP address.
- Accelerate access to resources and save traffic.
- Protection against network attacks such as DDoS.
- Filtering unwanted content.
- Conduct automated collection of keywords for advertising in Yandex.Direct and Google Ads.
- Speed up the collection of keywords in Yandex.WordStat.
- Work with anti-detect browsers to create accounts and perform work without blocking.
- Maintain multiple accounts to improve user experience.
Which Proxies Are Better? Pros and Cons of Different Types
There are two main types of proxy servers: public free ones and private paid ones.Free proxies are available to everyone, but have a clear disadvantage: they are used by many people at the same time, which leads to low speed and possible compromise of the server, which reduces anonymity.
Private proxies cost money, but provide higher speed and security. You can also choose shared proxies - these are paid servers available to a group of users, which makes them more affordable, but with the same quality.
In addition, proxies can be dynamic and static . Dynamic proxies change their IP address, while static proxies retain the same address for a long time.
Proxies are also classified by their level of anonymity:
- Transparent proxies tell websites that they are proxies and pass on the real IP address.
- Anonymous proxies hide your IP but admit their role as a proxy.
- Elite proxies do not notify sites about their status and completely hide your data.
Technological solutions: what do they affect?
Proxy servers can operate via different protocols, which affects their functionality:- HTTP proxy is the most common type, used for browsing websites and filtering content, but is not the most secure.
- HTTPS proxy - encrypts information transmitted through the server, increasing security, but the server cannot control the transmitted data.
- SOCKS proxy is the most advanced protocol that provides complete anonymity and is not identified as an intermediary.
How to get a proxy and check its functionality?
Proxy servers can be purchased and configured independently, but it is easier to rent them from a trusted service.
To check the functionality of a proxy, you can use the "ping" command, as well as special checker services.