What is a proxy

If you aren’t new to the online security business, you’ve likely heard about proxies. What is a proxy, exactly? To put it simply, a proxy is a web filter tool that makes your connection appear to be coming from a different location. This is achieved by masking your IP address and assigning you one that belongs to the proxy server.

By design, proxies don’t cover your entire internet connection and are created to work with specific programs, such as browsers, mail servers, or torrent clients. They can be installed and configured locally on your computer or publicly, e.g. on wifi access points.

Proxy servers are created when an online host decides to allow internet users to send traffic through their server. Proxies differ not only in the apps they work with but also in their server capabilities. Some can handle millions of inquiries, while others get overcrowded easily.

These proxy servers rarely offer encryption or other kinds of privacy protection. Any encrypted connection that comes with a proxy does not actually come from the proxy itself. Sending and receiving information through a proxy will be encrypted only if the site is connected to an SSL certificate. Any traffic that is not encrypted can be seen by the administrator of the remote computer being connected to.

In this complete proxy guide, we’ll look at the different types of proxies, the most common questions about proxies, and the differences between proxies and VPNs.

Types of proxies

There are three ways we can categorize proxies. Each is slightly different and can be described by its relation with your web browser, the security level, and its exclusivity, which impacts the speed and anonymity of your connection.

1. Proxy types by protocol

The oldest and simplest type of proxy to set up is the HTTP proxy. HTTP proxies route the browser traffic through the remote proxy server and usually come as a browser extension. Alternatively, they can be set up on a specific website where you enter the domain name and connect to it from inside the proxy tab.

The problem with HTTP proxies is that browsers can establish a connection with other protocols, too. For example, clicking on an FTP link will open it for you in the same browser but without the proxy shield. Also, the proxy owner can monitor your HTTP traffic.

The HTTPS proxy is similar to the HTTP proxy, but it encrypts the traffic between you and the server. While this makes it slower than the HTTP option, the proxy owner can no longer monitor your traffic.

SOCKS works the same way as the regular HTTP proxy but routes your traffic independently from the browser. This means you can choose the apps and services that should go through the SOCKS proxy, such as Netflix, BitTorrent, YouTube, Twitch, etc. SOCKS extends the number of services you can access but is generally slower than HTTP.

2. Proxy types by security

Generally, all proxies (both free and paid) are placed on three levels, depending on the type of protection they offer.

Level 3 – transparent proxies. Contrary to the name, the only transparent thing here is your IP, which is displayed publicly to anyone who has any interest in checking it out.

Level 2 – anonymous proxies. Calling them anonymous might be a bit of an overstatement, as everyone will see that you’re coming from a proxy, but at least your real IP address is hidden.

Level 1 – elite proxies. These proxies don’t bother to inform anyone that you’re coming from a proxy, but the server’s IP is still visible for your destination. And since everyone wants to be part of the elite, these proxies tend to get overcrowded, causing the speeds to fall like a peasant drops on his knees before a lord.

No matter which security level you end up using, virtually all proxies log your activity, which can be used to track you.

3. Proxy types by exclusivity

The third way of categorizing proxy types is by their exclusivity. It directly impacts the speed and anonymity and usually determines the price you will be paying for the service.

Dedicated proxy – in this case, you get a dedicated IP address. It positively affects your connection speed but negatively impacts your anonymity because the IP points directly to your device.

Semi-shared proxy – this is when 2-5 people share the same proxy and sacrifice a bit of speed for a bit more anonymity.

General proxy – this proxy is shared publicly, meaning that your anonymity depends on the number of users online, but so does your connection speed.

Should you use a free or paid proxy?

Well, it depends on the level of privacy and speed you require. A free proxy might do the trick if your goal is to access geo-blocked content. But if you want to be sure that at least your IP address is not visible to third parties while you’re using the service, you’d better go with the paid option.

Free proxies are known for their unstable connections, meaning you might lose access to your streaming library in the middle of a show. The lack of support usually means that your only choice is to take a deep breath and wait for the service to go back online again.

And while proxies are generally faster than that of your average VPN, free services rarely fall into this category due to overcrowded servers. That’s not a big deal if you’re reading some news or checking social networks, but gaming or streaming in HD will be mostly impossible with a free proxy. On the contrary, a paid proxy limits the number of users per gateway, but you might still lack speed when using SOCKS to play online or stream HD.

Even if you don’t care about your privacy, you should know that about 70% of free proxies contain malware that might go into your system unnoticed. It’s hard to detect it between various ads and pop-up banners shown in most free proxies. Later, your personal information is collected and sold, or worse – used to access your sensitive accounts, such as your email, that store your credit card info.

Are proxies good for streaming?

You’ll likely lack the required speeds to stream in HD if you’re using a free proxy. However, even a paid proxy might not do the trick if the server you’re trying to connect to is on another continent. What’s more, speed is not the only issue you might encounter when trying to stream a Netflix show with a proxy service.

For one thing, not all proxies can unblock this popular streaming platform, not to mention the notoriously tough nut in BBC iPlayer. Even some of the best VPNs are struggling with Netflix’s IP blacklisting. But some factors separate streaming-worthy proxies from the other ones.

The most important thing is the static IP you get from a dedicated proxy. With it, an HTTP proxy should be enough, but it only works with browsers. Setting up a proxy on a smart TV or similar device would mean using a Netflix app, and this also means that only a SOCKS proxy would do the trick. Unfortunately, the app might change your DNS settings, and if they don’t match your IP – the content stays blocked.

On the other hand, if you’re after the most consistent streaming experience and reliable geo-block bypassing, a VPN is your best friend. All top streaming VPNs offer excellent digital accessibility, which doesn’t hinder your connection speeds while also adding extra security.

Can you use a proxy for torrenting and P2P?

While torrenting in itself is legal, most of the time, the content shared using P2P is copyrighted, causing issues for ISPs, copyright holders, and the (in)voluntary copyright infringers. That’s why hiding your IP address might be beneficial. And, sometimes, it’s plainly necessary if torrenting is blocked by your ISP or in your location. Here’s where a proxy service can help you out.

For torrenting and P2P, you will need a SOCKS proxy. While in theory, an HTTP proxy can still work, expect significant slowdowns if not because of throttling from your ISP, then because of the simple fact that HTTP was designed for nothing else but browsing.

Again, the speed of your downloads depends on the quality of the proxy. A free version with overcrowded servers will do you no good, while a paid one will be faster and more secure.

Can a proxy help against the Great Firewall of China?

China is one of the few countries that heavily censor internet freedom. Therefore, many locals and tourists use proxies and VPNs to access blocked websites, such as Google, YouTube, or Facebook. But a third option might be the best – a proxy called Shadowsocks.

Chinese coders have created Shadowsocks to be explicitly used in this country. It uses the SOCKS5 protocol and is less centralized than any VPN, increasing your chances of unblocking the desired content. The downside is that Shadowsocks is an open-source project, which is harder to maintain without proper funding. On top of that, it’s not something that can be easily set up without some prior knowledge.

Differences between a proxy and VPN

Proxies and VPNs perform similar functions as they both aim to route a user’s internet traffic through a remote computer or server to mask the IP address. However, there are significant differences between these two online privacy tools. Let’s look at these differences and consider the advantages and disadvantages of both options.

As you can see from the table above, the major difference between a VPN and a proxy is security. Proxies offer limited security and privacy options. They usually log your activity and are often not encrypted.

On the other hand, VPN services provide solid security, encrypting all traffic that goes through their servers. Most VPNs also enforce audited no-logging policies.

Proxies and VPNs also differ in the protocols they employ and in the setup process. A setup with a VPN service usually involves just simply installing the VPN client. Proxies can be accessed via their websites and must be configured separately on each app used and for the specific server you wish to connect to.

VPN or proxy: which one should you use?

Having seen the differences between these two privacy tools, you might wonder when using a proxy instead of a VPN is better and vice versa. Here are the possible scenarios where one has an advantage over the other.

So in simple terms, proxies are like a super light version of what you get with a VPN. Even with their shortcomings, proxies still have quite a few benefits:

• Faster connections. Extra security measures, such as encryption, leak protections, or advanced tunneling, involve noticeably more processes. To no surprise, skipping out on them offers better speeds than those of the fastest VPNs.
• Multiple IP addresses. Even though it requires extra fiddling, proxies give you more flexibility in the form of separate IPs for different apps.
• Price. Most Proxies are free. However, those are pretty crowded and not so reliable in almost every way. Paid proxies are much better, but that comes with a price tag.

On the other hand, VPNs are a security-first tool. As time went by, VPNs became more feature-packed and almost all-around security suites with a plethora of features for convenience. Overall, a VPN is a better choice if you prioritize:

• Powerful security. On top of encrypting your whole web traffic, most of the top VPNs offer integrated anti-malware tools and kill switches among many other features.
• Geo-unblocking. VPNs have servers in many more countries to connect to, allowing users to access some resources that are available in particular regions only.
• Maximum privacy. A VPN not only protects your data from outside threats through obfuscation or tracker removal but also from internal logging. Most of the premium VPNs with strict no-logs policies are independently audited for peak transparency.

Sometimes, reaching for the bottom of the barrel is a good way not to overspend. But if you’re after the biggest bang for your buck, settling down for the second best is no bargain. That’s why we wholeheartedly recommend going for more well-rounded tools like VPNs, which go a long way to enhance your overall online presence.

Try NordVPN risk-free today

Conclusion

If you decide that a proxy service will suit all your needs, it’s wise to go for a good one. As free proxies might seem lucrative, the servers are almost always too crowded to be productive. Instead, you should go for proven premium services to get the best possible experience.

However, if you’re looking for more than a bare minimum in online privacy, a VPN might be a better fit for you. Top VPN providers, such as NordVPN, not only offer superior internet anonymity but also build a solid security framework.

Have you tried using a proxy server? How did it go? Tell us in the comments below.

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You may also like to read:
What is IP spoofing
Best VPN for gambling
How to watch Netflix with a VPN
Best VPN for sports streaming
What is IP geolocation
How to check your torrent IP

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FAQ

Is VPN better than proxy?

In general, a VPN is a more comprehensive tool than a proxy. However, due to fewer security measures in place, a proxy can provide its user with better connection speeds. Contrary to proxies, advanced VPNs, like NordVPN, while slower, unlock way more geo-blocked services and achieve it more consistently.

Are proxies safer than VPN?

No, VPNs are much safer than proxy servers. While the most secure VPNs encrypt your traffic and protect you from various online threats, proxies do almost none of that. Of course, extra protection comes at the cost of some speed, but if security is your priority – a VPN is clearly a better pick.

What does proxy do?

A proxy is a tool to reroute your internet connection. By connecting to any website through a proxy server, your device appears as connecting from the server’s location. This is often used to access region-restricted pages or services, but unlike VPNs, proxies are pretty easy to detect.

Are proxies illegal?

Using a proxy is intrinsically legal. However, just as there are specific regions where VPNs are illegal, the utilization of proxies could be prohibited in some countries as well. Furthermore, the legality of proxies heavily depends on the particular actions they are used for.

Does a proxy change your IP?

Yes, a proxy changes your visible IP address. That’s why it’s commonly used for extra privacy while torrenting or browsing. Unfortunately, many services with heavily enforced geo-blocking measures easily recognize proxy servers. Thus, changing your IP with a VPN proves to be a more reliable option.