What Is Proxy? Features And How Proxies Work

With the current Internet situation, Proxy searches have skyrocketed due to the significant increase in demand for converting Proxies to foreign sites. So what is a Proxy? What features are there? Let’s find out with Getnada through this article!

What is Proxy

A proxy acts as a bridge between users and the Internet, functioning as a specialized computer system or router that separates the connection between the sender and the receiver. Proxies have their own IP address and a fixed access port, playing a crucial role in directing and managing network traffic.

Why do we need a Proxy Server?

• To monitor and control internet usage for employees and children.
• To save bandwidth and improve speed.
• To protect privacy.
• To enhance security.
• To access blocked resources.

Types of proxy servers

Here’s an overview of various types of proxies and their functions:

HTTP Proxy

Definition: An HTTP Proxy is used for managing HTTP traffic. It processes and forwards HTTP requests from clients to servers and responses back from servers to clients.

Use Case: Commonly used for web browsing, caching websites, and filtering content.

HTTPS Proxy

Definition: Similar to an HTTP proxy, but specifically handles HTTPS traffic. It requires additional configurations to decrypt and re-encrypt the SSL/TLS traffic.

Use Case: Secure web browsing, monitoring HTTPS traffic, and enforcing security policies.

SOCKS Proxy

Definition: A SOCKS Proxy operates at a lower level and can handle any type of traffic, not just HTTP or HTTPS. It simply passes data packets between client and server.

Use Case: Versatile use cases, such as web browsing, email, FTP, and P2P networks. It is often used for applications requiring robust handling of different types of internet traffic.

Transparent Proxy

Definition: A Transparent Proxy intercepts requests from a client to the internet without modifying them or requiring client-side configuration. Users often do not realize they are using a proxy.

Use Case: Commonly used by ISPs and network administrators to enforce policies, cache content, and filter traffic without user intervention.

Forward Proxy

Definition: A Forward Proxy is positioned between a client and the internet. It forwards client requests to the desired server and sends the server’s response back to the client.

Use Case: Used for filtering, logging, and caching content, as well as bypassing geo-restrictions.

Reverse Proxy

Definition: A Reverse Proxy is positioned between the internet and a group of servers. It forwards requests from clients on the internet to the appropriate backend server.

Use Case: Load balancing, improving security, and caching content to optimize server performance.

Anonymous Proxy

Definition: An Anonymous Proxy hides the client’s IP address from the target server, making it difficult to trace the client’s identity.

Use Case: Enhancing privacy, bypassing IP-based restrictions, and preventing tracking.

Residential Proxy

Definition: A Residential Proxy routes traffic through IP addresses assigned to real residential devices by ISPs. These proxies use actual residential internet connections.

Use Case: Emulating real user behavior, avoiding detection, and accessing geo-restricted content.

Datacenter Proxy

Definition: A Datacenter Proxy is not affiliated with an ISP and uses IP addresses provided by data centers. These proxies offer high speed and are not linked to physical locations.

Use Case: Bulk data scraping, accessing websites at high speed, and general anonymous browsing.

Rotating Proxy

Definition: A Rotating Proxy automatically changes the IP address assigned to the client at regular intervals or for each connection.

Use Case: Preventing IP bans, large-scale web scraping, and maintaining anonymity by continually changing IP addresses.

These different types of proxies serve various purposes, ranging from security and anonymity to managing and optimizing internet traffic.

How proxy servers work

Every computer participating in the Internet needs a unique IP address, similar to your home address. This IP address helps the Internet send data to the correct computer, just like the post office needs your address to deliver mail.

A Proxy Server is a computer on the Internet with its own IP address. When you send a web request, it is first directed to the Proxy Server. The Proxy Server then makes your request, receives the response from the web server, and forwards the web page data to you so you can view it in your browser.

The Proxy Server can change your IP address, making it so the web server does not know your exact location. It can also encrypt your data to ensure that no one can read the information during transmission. Finally, the Proxy Server can block access to specific websites based on IP addresses.

Proxy features

Below are the main features of Proxy

Firewalls and Filtering

Proxy Servers operate at the Application layer, layer 7 in the OSI model, allowing for independent application filtering. When properly configured, Proxy Servers can significantly enhance network security and performance.

Proxy Servers offer capabilities that traditional firewalls cannot provide.

Connection Sharing with Proxy Servers

Proxy Servers provide an efficient and scalable solution for Internet access. Instead of assigning each client a direct Internet connection, all internal network connections can be routed through one or more Proxy Servers to connect to the outside world.

Proxy Servers and Caching

Proxy Servers employ three types of website caching to improve network service quality:

Improve bandwidth and scalability: By storing copies of websites, Proxy Servers reduce the direct traffic load to the original servers, helping to save bandwidth and increase network scalability.

Enhance response times for clients: With cached data, Proxy Servers can respond to client requests faster, reducing wait times and speeding up access.

Increase service availability when offline: Proxy Servers can provide access to cached websites even when the original sources or intermediary network links are offline, ensuring continuous service availability.

 

The above article has guided you about what is a Proxy? What features are there? Hope this article will help you.