Did you know that Indian websites faced over five million cyberattacks in 2023? These staggering figures highlight the need for secure websites that protect data from malicious attacks.
When a website is hacked or goes down, businesses lose millions as customers are unable to access their service. This not only affects the business but also its reputation. To mitigate these risks, companies can deploy a proxy server.
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between the customer and your website, thus protecting your site from cyberattacks.
Keep reading to learn more about proxy servers.
What is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server (often called a “proxy” in the IT circle) is a system, software, or application that acts as a gateway between your website and web servers. They are intermediaries who can be a part of your network or have a separate network of their own. They are designed to act as intermediaries between users on a private network and the publicly accessible internet, masking the users and you IP address to safeguard you from cyberattacks.
When data passes through a proxy server, they change the data and hide where it came from, making it look like it originated from a proxy. This keeps your online activities private from hackers.
Now that you know what a proxy server is, it is time to look at its uses, working mechanisms, benefits, and challenges.
What is a Proxy Server Used for?
Organizations use proxy servers to encrypt internet traffic, making them unreadable to third parties. Companies also use proxies to help their employees bypass geographical content restrictions and filters, which is useful for activities like web scraping. Additionally, proxies monitor and control their employees’ online activities.
Below, we have listed four reasons why companies use proxy servers.
1. Privacy
A proxy server is an intermediary between your server and the internet. It provides you privacy by masking your IP address. So, whenever someone tries to access the IP address of your network, they see the proxy server’s IP address. This ensures that your online identity and location remain hidden. Proxies also divert your data traffic to their server instead of your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) router. This additional step helps protect your privacy.
2. Security
Proxies do more than just hide your online activities; they also protect your data and important assets. When you use a proxy, it acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet, masking your IP address. This makes it harder for hackers to track your activities or access your sensitive information. Plus, proxies can filter out malicious content and prevent unauthorized access, adding an extra layer of security to keep your data safe.
3. Load Balancing
Ever tried buying a concert ticket online and the website crashed? Well, that is probably because too many people are trying to buy the tickets at once. That is where a proxy server comes in handy. They perform load balancing—a technique of distributing online traffic across a group of servers.
The goal of load balancing is to prevent single servers from being overwhelmed by too much traffic. Load balancers distribute customer requests based on factors like server availability, response time, and workload. Thus, reducing website crashes and downtime.
4. Speeding Up Websites
Proxy servers can speed up your website using caching and other optimization techniques like compression and content filtering. Caching is the process of storing a cached copy of resources, such as web pages or images, on a proxy server. This reduces the time needed to retrieve the resource the next time another user requests the same resource.
Compression, on the other hand, is the process of compressing data to improve the load time. Proxies can compress data before sending it to the user, reducing the amount of data transmitted over the network.
Content filtering is the process of removing unwanted content from the server to reduce the server load. Proxies can block unwanted content (such as ads or malicious scripts), enhancing both speed and security.
How Does a Proxy Server Work?
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet. When you request a web page, proxies intercept it and send it to the web server. The web server then sends back the requested page, which the proxy forwards to your device. You can set up a proxy server by installing gateway software on your device or network. Setting up a proxy server depends on your operating system and your server type.
Now that you know how a proxy server works, it is time to look at the diverse types of proxy servers.
Different Types of Proxy Servers
Understanding the diverse types of proxy servers is crucial for finding the right fit for your needs. Each type comes with its own set of features, limitations, and technical aspects, so it is important to choose wisely to get the benefits you are looking for.
Here we have listed the top proxy serves that are commonly used today:
1. Static Proxy
A static proxy server uses a fixed IP address to transmit data from the internet to your server. This IP address remains constant over time. Although static proxies offer stability, they do not provide complete anonymity. Therefore, businesses looking for privacy should consider other options like rotating proxies or VPNs.
Here are some characteristics of static proxies:
- These types of proxies are ideal for scenarios where you need a fixed online identity for an extended period
- Static proxies seamlessly combine the anonymity of residential proxies with the speed of data center proxies
- A static proxy keeps the same IP address, providing consistency
2. Rotating Proxy
Unlike static proxies, a rotating proxy automatically switches IP addresses sometimes. This dynamic IP rotation enhances anonymity and makes it challenging for hackers to track your website.
Here are some of the characteristics of rotating proxies:
- IP address rotation happens automatically without additional input. This means you do not need to manually change settings or switch proxies
- In this type of proxy server, your online security and identity will never be compromised
- Rotating proxies have several components like proxy user (a person who makes requests through the proxy service), proxy gateway (an intermediary that forwards requests to end proxies), proxy pool (a pool of proxy IPs), and target websites (websites the user wants to access)
3. Residential Proxy
Residential proxies use real IP addresses from physical devices like phones or computers, ideal for changing geographical locations or adding an extra layer of security. By using residential IPs, you hide the fact that you are using a proxy, minimizing the chance of your connection being blocked.
Here are some characteristics of residential proxies:
- Residential proxies have thousands of IPs across various locations, making them harder to block or track
- A good residential proxy allows you to connect an unlimited number of IP addresses simultaneously, useful for managing multiple social media accounts without raising suspicion
- Just like rotating proxies, residential proxies also change IP address after every address, making them perfect for web scraping
4. Data Center Proxy
A data center proxy operates from data centers rather than residential locations. These proxies do not use real IP addresses but mass-produce fake ones. They are prone to bans and may share IPs with many others.
Here are some characteristics of data center proxies:
- Data center proxies offer faster connection speeds compared to residential proxies because they do not rely on physical commodities
- Data center IPs are less natural than residential IPs, which can sometimes raise suspicion
- Unlike rotating residential IPs, data center IPs remain static, making them suitable for specific tasks
5. Dedicated Proxy
A dedicated proxy is an exclusive IP address assigned to a single user, providing private and secure internet access. When you connect to the web through a dedicated proxy, it routes all web requests, masking your real IP address. They are also referred to as private proxies.
Here are some characteristics of dedicated proxies:
- Dedicated proxies ensure that you have exclusive access to the IP and control over how and when you use the dedicated IP address
- Dedicated proxies improve the undetectability of your web requests, as no one is aware of your IP address
- This type of proxy server offers superb performance and reliability in accessing most websites without blocks
6. Shared Proxy
A shared proxy offers an IP address used and controlled by multiple users simultaneously. This proxy server has robust infrastructure and handling capabilities, making it easiest for multiple people to share the same IP address at the same time.
Here are some characteristics of shared proxies:
- Shared proxies are cost-effective as they allow multiple users to share the same resources
- They are suitable for simple tasks, such as web browsing, data scraping, or accessing websites
- Good-quality shared proxies decrease the likelihood of being detected and blocked by websites
Benefits of a Proxy Server
1. Geographic Location Masking
When you connect to the internet using a proxy server, your web traffic is routed through the proxy server before you can access it, hiding your original IP address. Additionally, when you access a website through a proxy server located in a different country, you can appear to be browsing from that location. This allows you to bypass content restrictions placed by websites. Moreover, it offers you security and anonymity.
2. Safer Browsing
Accessing the internet through a proxy server masks your original IP address, making it difficult for websites to track or block you. This anonymity can be valuable for businesses, shielding your confidential information from the final server and enhancing privacy. Moreover, proxy servers can protect your website against cyber threats like Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. That is because when you connect to a website through a proxy, the website interacts with the proxy server rather than your device. This adds a layer of security, as the proxy filters out malicious traffic and requests.
3. Site Speed and Uptime
Proxy servers play a crucial role in enhancing site speed and ensuring uptime. They do so by distributing the website traffic to a group of servers (referred to as load balancing), caching frequently used resources, and compressing data. This ensures that the website never lags and overs smooth online experience for users.
Limitations of Proxy Server
1. Performance Issues
Proxy servers may lack sufficient backend hardware or encryption, leading to performance problems and potential data security risks. Therefore, it is important to conduct regular testing and optimization for good proxy performance.
2. Data Security Concerns
Proxy servers may pose risks of data theft, especially if your proxy server does not provide full encryption. Without encryption, your requests are sent as plain text, making it easy for anyone to intercept sensitive information like usernames, passwords, and account details. Therefore, choose a proxy server provider that offers full encryption.
3. Browsing History Logging
Proxy servers may store your original IP address and web request information in unencrypted form, potentially compromising your privacy. Therefore, always check your proxy logs and save data to prevent unwanted leaks.
Proxy Server Protocols
Proxy servers can use different protocols to cater to various networking needs, whether within a network or beyond. Here, we have listed some common proxy server protocols:
1. HTTP Proxy
Handles HTTP traffic, like web browsing. It forwards requests and responses between clients and servers and is often used for caching and content filtering.
2. HTTPS Proxy
This proxy server protocol specifically deals with encrypted HTTPS traffic. It decrypts the traffic, checks it, and then re-encrypts it for the backend servers. After that, the traffic is redirected to your website. Additionally, this server protocol provides security and visibility into encrypted traffic while keeping end-to-end encryption intact.
3. SOCKS Proxy
This type of proxy server protocol operates at a lower level. It handles diverse types of internet traffic by establishing connections to destination servers and relaying data between the user and the server. Commonly used for activities like online gaming and file sharing.
4. FTP Proxy
This proxy protocol is specialized for FTP traffic. It can intercept and relay FTP commands and data transfers between users and FTP servers. It offers features like access control and logging.
5. SMTP/POP3/IMAP Proxy
This proxy server protocol is designed for email traffic, intercepting and relaying email messages between users and email servers. It includes features such as spam filtering and antivirus scanning.
Setting Up a Proxy Server
Proxy servers are not everyone’s cup of tea. Moreover, there are times when its limitations outweigh the benefits. If you are confused about getting a proxy server, here are some things that will help you make a choice:
1. Choose a proxy server if you want to monitor or control internet access for other users on your network.
2. Do not choose a proxy server simply because you want to improve your website’s speed. There are different and more effective ways to improve website speed.
3. Choose a proxy server if you want to hide your IP address.
4. Choose a proxy server if you want access to restricted or blocked websites.
5. Choose a proxy server if you need an extra layer of protection.
Setting up a proxy server is not complicated. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to setup a proxy server on a Windows system:
- Go to settings, click on network and internet.
- Look for the “automatic proxy setup” section and turn it on to automatically detect settings.
- This will connect you to the proxy without needing to manually input settings.
Meanwhile, if you have an iOS operating system. Here is how to set up a proxy server on a Mac:
1. Open Safari, go to Settings, and click on Advanced in the toolbar.
2. In the Proxies section, click on Change Settings.
3. Input the correct proxy information in the window that pops up and then click Okay.
That is it! Your proxy is now set up and ready to go.
Are Proxy Servers and VPNs the same?
Proxy servers and VPNs share similarities, such as hiding IP addresses and bypassing geo-restrictions. However, they both are different. For instance, proxies do not encrypt network traffic, but VPNs do. Similarly, proxies use caching to speed up website speed, VPNs do not have this feature.
Conclusion
Proxy servers can be an asset for businesses as they provide them with anonymity and security. However, it is not for everyone. Moreover, you should have a strong reason for getting a proxy server.
Hosting services also play a crucial role in protecting your data and ensuring the reliability of your online presence. With a good hosting service, your website is stored on secure servers that offer robust protection against cyber threats.
If you want more scalable, secure, and flexible web server solutions, BigRock can be your reliable hosting partner. We offer different web server solutions that can handle massive traffic and offer ample storage for multiple websites.
In case you have any doubts, queries, or feedback for this article, please share them in the comments section below.
