Proxies are incredibly valuable tools that provide anonymity while you're online. They have a wide range of different uses, streamlining online processes and improving digital security whilst browsing the web.
Yet, this number of potential applications, requires that there be a range of different types of proxies, all with their particular benefits and capabilities. This means that, sometimes, it can be difficult to know what proxy is going to be best-suited to your needs.
At Proxyrack, we've compiled this complete guide on the types of proxies so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
What Is A Proxy?
Proxy servers act as intermediary servers between a client and a website. Depending on the needs of the user, they provide varying levels of security, privacy, and functionality.
Imagine it as a middle-man between your computer’s IP address and the internet; any actions you perform, requests you make, or information you input on a website are handled by the proxy server on your behalf. In this sense, internet proxies operate in the same way as human proxies. Doing something “by proxy” involves us authorising another person to act in our place if we’re unable to for whatever reason (voting for political candidates is a prime example of this).
Ultimately, installing and using a proxy when browsing online allows users to mask their unique IP address which can be incredibly useful for many different reasons.
Learn more about what proxies are and how they work by reading our in-depth guide.
Why Are Proxies Important?
In the modern online world, security breaches are becoming increasingly common. These can be anything from the harvesting and distributing of personal email addresses for marketing purposes, to monitoring a person’s browsing history, all the way to hacking into online banking accounts and stealing potentially huge sums of money.
One of the best ways to improve your security and prevent these things from happening while browsing the internet is to use a proxy web server. Proxies keep viruses and malware at bay, protect your data, and keep you anonymous.
Beyond security, proxy web servers also make your online experience better in general. They cache web pages to increase browsing speeds and allow you to access sites that would usually be restricted. This makes them incredibly helpful when someone is trying to transfer large amounts of data at once, such as when livestreaming a video or when watching a movie online.
What Are The Different Types Of Proxies?
There are three main types of proxy servers that are commonly used. Each one is best for certain specific use cases and has its own unique features and pros and cons.
Residential Proxies
Residential proxies are linked to actual devices in cities and countries around the world. The IP addresses they use are provided by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) directly.
This means that a residential proxy server user is very hard to distinguish from a regular internet user. So, if you're looking for a fully anonymous proxy then a residential proxy server is an excellent choice.
Regular residential proxies are linked to a single IP address meaning that each request you send will come from the same IP address. On the other hand, rotating residential proxy servers use a new IP address for each request they send.
One downside of residential proxy servers is that they tend to be more expensive than some other proxies. This is because the IPs need to be rented or bought from ISPs.
Residential proxy servers are ideal as proxies for surveys and web scraping.
Proxyrack's residential proxies give you access to huge IP pools with over 2 million monthly IPs. Each residential proxy is a private proxy that doesn't come from public exit nodes. If you need anonymous proxies to improve your online experience, then try a residential proxy server from Proxyrack today.
Datacenter Proxies
Datacenter proxies are different from residential ones in that they don't come from ISPs. They're hosted in data centers across the globe and are provided by third parties like web hosting services.
Datacenter proxies are very fast and they're usually cheaper than residential proxy servers. However, if you use them to perform traffic-intensive tasks there is more risk of them being detected. This is because they're not linked to real IP addresses.
This type of proxy server is useful for beating geo-restrictions and they make good proxies for gaming.
Proxyrack's USA Rotating, Global Rotating, and Static USA Datacenter Proxies allow you to bypass restrictions - and ensure you always have the speed you need. You gain access to data center proxy servers in over 10 countries including the UK, USA, and Australia.
Mobile Proxies
Mobile proxies are considered to be the hardest proxies to detect and block. They use IP addresses that are assigned by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
The main benefit of these IP addresses is that they're dynamic. This means that the address changes each time a user sends a request to the server. It makes them the perfect proxies for managing social media accounts.
However, they do tend to be slower than both datacenter and residential proxy servers.
Other Types Of Proxies
Reverse Proxies
Reverse proxies protect internal resources by 'sitting' in front of one or more origin servers. When a user sends a request to the origin server it's intercepted by the reverse proxy.
The reverse proxy then sends and receives any requests to the origin server to prevent the user from having any communication with the origin server.
Transparent Proxies
A transparent proxy, or inline proxy, uses the client's IP address to make requests. This means that the IP address of the user isn't actually disguised. These types of proxies are mainly used for caching to speed up access to frequently visited sites.
HTTP Proxy Servers
This type of proxy server is used to protect web servers and to give users anonymity online. When used as a forward proxy, it forwards HTTP requests to a target HTTP server. It can also be used in reverse to filter out spyware and viruses.
5 Things To Consider When Choosing A Proxy
Speed: If speed is your primary concern then a datacenter proxy is your best option. They tend to be faster than the other proxies.
Location: Where the proxy is based affects the websites you can access and how quickly you can access them.
IP address quality: Proxies that use IP addresses associated with spam and malicious activity must be avoided at all costs. These IPs are almost always guaranteed to get blocked.
Price: Make sure you get the best value for money. Proxyrack's datacenter proxies start at just $50 and our residentials start from just $49.95. We also offer 7-day low-cost trials.
Customer support: Pay close attention to the level of support a proxy provider gives to its customers. At Proxyrack, our helpful team is always on hand to give you the support you need.
FAQs
Are VPNs proxies?
VPNs are similar to proxies but they're not exactly the same. Rather than working with a single website or app, a VPN works with every website or app you use. Like proxies, VPNs hide your IP address. It's replaced with the IP address of the VPN provider.
Can a proxy server hide my internet activities from my ISP?
Yes, you can use a proxy to mask your internet activities and your browsing history from your Internet Service Provider.
Final Thoughts
Each type of proxy has its own unique qualities that make it ideal for specific uses. A residential proxy is perfect for web scraping and e-commerce. Datacenter proxies are best suited to gaming and website testing. Mobile proxies are great for beating geo-restrictions and staying completely anonymous.
Whatever your needs, Proxyrack can provide you with a proxy to satisfy them. Our proxies are fast, secure, and super reliable. Using a proxy from Proxyrack means enhancing your online experience without breaking the bank.
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