SOCKS Proxies

What are SOCKS proxies?

There are loads of different proxy types. Finding the right one for your needs can be challenging, but it will help with security and performance.

SOCKS stands for Socket Secure and is an internet protocol that allows a client to communicate with a server.

Like all proxies, SOCKS proxies are server types that work as a type of middleman. They transfer the user's traffic from their computer to the websites they want to visit.

The users' internet traffic is routed through the SOCKS proxy - the middleman - before reaching its intended destination. The same is true for the information being sent back.

What do SOCKS proxies do?

SOCKS proxy servers are also handy when the user wants to access content that is restricted to specific geographic locations. It can also be a great way to bypass pesky internet censorship.

The SOCKS proxy server masks the IP address of the user. This will help the user improve their online privacy and security.

Users that want to make use of SOCKS proxies will have to configure their device to make this possible. While this can be a bit tricky for some people, it will allow them to connect to the internet via the proxy server.

The proxy server will then make it look like your traffic is coming from their IP address rather than yours.

Here at Proxyrack, we offer an extensive range of IP address locations. These different IPs give you access to geographically restricted content.

SOCKS proxy servers offer a bit more flexibility than HTTP proxies. HTTP proxies will only be able to process HTTP traffic. Then again, HTTPS proxies offer more flexibility than an HTTP proxy. They are able to manage HTTPS and HTTP traffic.

A SOCKS proxy will be able to process a wider variety of protocols that include:

• FTP

• SMTP

• HTTP

SOCKS proxies will typically be classified as SOCKS4 or SOCKS5 proxies. SOCKS4 proxy servers will only support SOCKS protocols.

A SOCKS5 proxy will also support user datagram protocol (UDP) and transmission control protocol (TCP) connections. This will help to improve speed.

The SOCKS5 proxy is an updated version of SOCKS4. It offers more connections and multiple authentication methods.

SOCKS proxy benefits

SOCKS proxy servers offer users a load of great benefits. Take a look below at the biggest reasons you might want to invest in SOCKS proxy servers:

1. Enhanced privacy

Online privacy has never been as important to users. Many websites and services track your online activity. Most of these do this to tailor advertising to your preferences.

Most organizations that harvest user data use this to improve their service. This will be based on user demographics and preferences. However, you will not have a say in how safely this information is stored.

Some less reputable organizations or individuals may use the information for more questionable purposes. There is also the risk that these organizations could be hacked.

Maintaining your online privacy will give you control over who you share personal information with.

This will help to minimize the risk of identity theft and other cybercrime.

2. Bypassing online restrictions

SOCKS proxies can be used to bypass website restrictions. Geographic restrictions are the most common type of restriction internet users face.

Geographic restrictions are designed to limit who has access to specific content based on their location and can be particularly frustrating.

Proxyrack offers an excellent service with IP addresses in hundreds of countries and target cities around the world.

A SOCKS5 proxy can be used to mask an IP address. The user can then select a country or city to use for their proxy to access certain sites or data.

3. Greater security

Using the SOCKS protocol will add an additional level of security to your online activities.

Enhanced privacy and security go hand in hand. Masking your IP address and using a proxy as an intermediary minimizes the risk of cybercrime. Cybercriminals will find it much more difficult to scrape valuable information.

4. Fast Downloads

Your internet service provider (ISP) or network administrator could impose bandwidth limitations. SOCKS proxy servers can be used to bypass these limitations.

Network traffic is the data that moves across the computer network. Network traffic is broken down into smaller data packets and is then reassembled on the device that receives it.

SOCKS5 proxies are faster than alternatives. This is because the data packets they transfer are smaller.

This improves download speeds and makes a SOCKS5 proxy an excellent option for peer-to-peer websites that share data.

5. Multiple connection support

Using a SOCKS proxy can be an excellent option for people that want to use multiple applications or devices at the same time. In this day and age, that is most of us.

This makes it significantly easier than having to configure separate proxy servers for each device.

6. Anonymity

SOCKS proxies offer an excellent level of anonymity when browsing the web. Increased privacy is great for security, it can also help to mask IP addresses that searches come from.

7. Lower latency

SOCKS proxy servers can be used to reduce latency. This is the delay caused by poor response times. Latency can affect certain online activities like gaming.

Reduced latency will greatly improve the user's online experience and make pesky lag a thing of the past.

Find the most effective SOCKS proxy with Proxyrack

Now that you know a little more about SOCKS proxies, it's time for you to start using them and enjoy the benefits.

A SOCKS proxy from Proxyrack will enhance your security and privacy. Do you want better download speeds? Well, our proxies can help. This is the perfect option for streaming videos and gaming.

Residential proxies

• Premium Residential Proxies - from $49.95

• Private Unmetered Residential Proxies - from $65.95

Datacenter proxies

• USA Rotating Datacenter Proxies - from $65

• Global Rotating Datacenter Proxies - from $65

• Static USA Datacenter Proxies - from $50