Proxies provide users with a layer of anonymity and protection. At their core, proxies hide users’ real IP addresses and assign different IP addresses, effectively masking their online identity. This underlying functionality means that proxies can be used to facilitate processes such as web scraping, social media management, ad verification, accessing geo-blocked content, and more. In this article, we will detail everything you need to know about proxies in 2022.
What are Proxies?
A proxy or proxy server is a computer or application through which outgoing requests pass before being directed to the target website. In the process, the requests acquire a new IP address that hides their real IP address. In this way, the requests appear to have originated from the proxy server, not from the user’s computer.
At the same time, the responses sent by webservers also go through the proxies before being directed to the user’s computer. This makes proxies an ideal filter that can protect a user’s computer from malicious attacks. There are different types of proxies, each of which is suited for a given function. Regardless, all proxies share the same basic underlying functionality.
Types of Proxies
The various types of proxies include:
- Residential proxies
- Datacenter proxies
- Rotating proxies
- Sticky proxies
- Shared proxies
- Dedicated proxies
- Forward proxies
- Reverse proxies
- HTTP/HTTPS proxies
- SOCKS proxies
- Transparent proxies
- Anonymous and high anonymity proxies
Forward and Reverse Proxies
All proxies are categorized into either forward or reverse proxies. The former refers to client-side proxies (computers that send requests and receive server responses). Often forward proxies are procured by users who wish to anonymize their browsing.
On the other hand, reverse proxies are found on the server-side. They receive requests and send responses. They provide an extra layer of protection that filters user requests, safeguarding the servers from malicious attacks. In addition, reverse proxies can be configured as load balancers, distributing traffic among multiple servers. This function helps prevent distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.
Residential Proxies
A residential proxy is an intermediary that routes internet traffic through real users’ devices. It assigns residential IP addresses, which are provided by internet service providers, to outgoing requests. The residential IP addresses are a rare find, an attribute that makes residential proxies expensive.
Residential proxies are not easily blocked or banned by being associated with real users. This makes them ideal for the following use cases:
- Large-scale web scraping
- Social media management
- Ad verification
- SEO monitoring
Datacenter Proxies
A datacenter proxy is a virtual computer that assigns datacenter IP addresses, which are generated by datacenter computers. Datacenter proxies are abundant, making datacenter proxies extremely cheap. Further, this proxy type is fast as it is powered by powerful datacenter proxies. However, datacenter proxies are easily blocked/banned because they are easily recognizable and are often linked to bot activity.
Datacenter proxies are used in the following instances:
- Small-scale web scraping
- Accessing geo-restricted content
- Market research
- Ad verification
- Scalping
Rotating and Sticky Proxies
A rotating proxy periodically changes the assigned IP address while a sticky proxy maintains the same IP address throughout a session. Residential and datacenter proxies can be categorized as rotating proxies if they use rotators that assign a different IP address after some time. Similarly, they are regarded as sticky if they do not change the assigned IP address.
Dedicated and Shared Proxies
Also known as private proxies, dedicated proxies are only used by a single user at a time. This makes them fast and secure. On the other hand, shared proxies are used by multiple users at a time, making them slow and less secure. Residential and datacenter proxies can be categorized as private proxies or shared proxies, depending on the number of people using them. One of the industry leaders wrote a blog post about private proxies and their benefits.
HTTP/HTTPS Proxies
An HTTP/HTTP proxy is created by configuring a browser or server and specifying the IP address that should be assigned to outgoing requests. This proxy type is mainly used to filter content, protecting a user’s computer or server from malicious attacks.
SOCKS Proxies
A SOCKS proxy is an intermediary that routes data packets through itself before sending them to either the browser or server using the socket secure protocol. It is mainly used to bypass firewalls, send emails, web browsing, and peer-to-peer (P2P) downloading.
Transparent Proxies
A transparent proxy is an intermediary that intercepts communication between a browser and a server. It is mainly used to restrict access to specific websites without making it obvious to the user that their connection to the internet is being routed through a proxy, hence the use of the word transparent.
Anonymous and High Anonymity Proxies
An anonymous proxy hides the user’s real IP address but identifies itself as a proxy to a webserver. In contrast, a high anonymity proxy hides the user’s real IP address but does not identify itself as a proxy.
Conclusion
Proxies serve different functions. And if you are looking to add one to your arsenal of technological products, it is best to understand the characteristics of each proxy type. This is why we have created this guide to help you decide.