Proxy servers are systems or applications that act as a gateway between a client and web servers on the internet. Proxies are designed to act as an intermediary between users on a private network and the public-facing internet, often to add an extra layer of security against cyberattacks or to mask the user’s IP address.
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How a Proxy Server Works
A proxy server acts as a computer with an IP address that intercepts requests from a client and then forwards them to a web server. The web server then sends back the web page requested, which the proxy sends back to the end user where it can be seen in their web browser.
Users can configure a proxy server by purchasing or installing gateway software on their computer, device or network. The exact process for configuring the server will depend on the operating system and the type of server used.
Many organizations use proxy servers to encrypt traffic so it can’t be read by third parties in transit to its destination, and/or to enable employees to sidestep geographical content restrictions and filters that can discourage web scraping activity.
Proxies can also be used to control the online activities in the workplace by intercepting online requests and blocking them if they’re attempting to access certain banned websites or IP addresses.
Types of Proxy Servers
There are many types of proxy servers from forward and transparent proxies to anonymous, reverse proxies and more. Each of these has its own unique use cases. Below is a breakdown of some of the most common types of proxy servers:
Forward Proxy
A forward proxy sits between a user’s device and the internet and inspects traffic as it’s routed through the server. This proxy evaluates traffic coming from the client and chooses whether to approve or deny the request based on a predefined content policy and blocked domains.
For example, if a user attempts to connect to a banned website or IP address, the proxy can block the interaction from taking place, meaning they won’t be able to load the site in their web browser.
Transparent Proxy
Transparent proxies, also known as forced, implicit or intercepting proxies, are proxy servers that intercept user traffic en route to a web server. Unlike nontransparent proxies, these entities don’t modify requests to websites.
Some companies use transparent proxies to monitor user activity, while administrators on public Wi-Fi networks can use them to block offensive content in spaces such as airports and hotels.
It’s important to note that the end users can’t always detect the use of a transparent proxy, as it can be installed without any installations or configurations being present on the device.
Anonymous Proxy
Anonymous proxies (also known as hidden proxies or anonymizers) are a type of proxy that intercepts user requests, hides their IP and replaces it with a new one. These proxies can obfuscate the user’s IP address and location so that the target web server can’t view it.
However, it also informs the web server that you’ve connected via a proxy connection via a HTTP header.
These proxies provide users with a convenient option for sidestepping regional content blocks or hiding their IP address from third-party websites. That being said, disclosing the use of an anonymous proxy to a web server can lead the provider to block the connection entirely.
There are a number of different levels of anonymity that anonymous proxies can offer users. These are as follows:
- Level 1: Elite Proxies – These proxies offer the highest level of anonymity, not only hiding a device’s IP address but also not disclosing the use of a proxy.
- Level 2: Anonymous Proxies – Will hide the IP address but will notify the web server that the user is using a proxy connection with the Via header.
- Level 3: Transparent Proxies – Offer no anonymity because they include both the user’s IP address and the IP of the proxy server visible as part of their request.
Reverse Proxy
A reverse proxy is a proxy server that sits in front of a web server and aims to prevent clients from communicating directly with the web server.
Reverse proxies are similar to forward proxies, but have a distinct difference; forward proxies typically work on behalf of the client making requests to a web server, and reverse proxies work on behalf of the server receiving the end user’s requests.
Some companies opt to use reverse proxies to hide the web servers associated with a public-facing website so they’re less likely to be targeted by malicious entities looking to launch denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
Reverse proxies can also be used to optimize website speed due to their load balancing capabilities, giving organizations the ability to distribute incoming traffic across multiple servers.
Distorting Proxy
A distorting proxy server sits between a client and a web server, intercepts user requests to a website, and then modifies the HTTP header to change the client’s IP address before forwarding it to the target server.
Distorting proxies attempt to mislead web servers by providing a fake IP address for the client, which helps to bypass content restrictions and prevent the web server from monitoring the user’s browsing activity.
It’s worth noting that while distorting proxies can be detected and blocked, they are more difficult to detect than other types of proxies.
Data Center Proxy
A data center proxy is located between a client and a web server, and intercepts user requests before replacing their IP address with one associated with a physical data center.
One of the core characteristics of a data center proxy is that the IP used to mask the client comes from a data center offered by a provider such as Bright Data and Oxylabs. These providers allow companies to lease multiple IP addresses at the same time.
Organizations can use data center proxies for those scenarios where they want to secure their online identity while maintaining high performance and low latency during intensive tasks such as web scraping.
Residential Proxy
Residential proxies are proxies that are located between a client and a web server but replace the IP address in user requests with a physical IP address. The physical IP address is taken from a pool of proxies that can be tied to an ISP.
These types of proxies are attached to physical locations, which makes them more difficult for websites to detect and block.
Many organizations use residential proxies to conduct market research on competitors’ websites due to the fact that resident proxies are very difficult to detect.
Public Proxy
A public proxy, also known as a shared proxy, is a type of proxy server that’s available for anyone online to use. Individuals can use search engines to search for public proxies online and share an IP address with other users across the globe.
While public proxies may be convenient, free or low cost, one of the main drawbacks is that the server can track and log the user’s activity. Another issue is that some proxies can infect your device with malware.
At the same time, if lots of users are online at the same time, this can consume the bandwidth and reduce performance for the end user.
SSL Proxy
An SSL proxy is a transparent proxy server that intercepts requests sent from a client to a web server before encrypting or decrypting them with secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption.
These proxies can protect data as it is transmitted between the client and server, reducing the chance of anyone eavesdropping on the user’s activity. SSL proxies can also decrypt encrypted traffic and check that it complies with the content filter before deciding to block it or pass it on.
Benefits of a Proxy Server
There are many benefits to deploying a proxy server on a private network. These are as follows:
- Security and anonymity: The proxy server acts as an intermediary between your network and the internet, which means that the destination server won’t be able to identify your physical device’s IP address when you connect to websites online.
- Sidestepping regional restrictions and blocks: Changing your IP address with a proxy can help you avoid geographical content restrictions.
- Banning sites that are offensive or not suitable for work: Proxy servers can also be used to monitor user activity and to block access to inappropriate websites or blacklisted IP addresses.
- Network and bandwidth efficiency: Proxy servers can cache pages from popular websites, meaning that users on the network can access the web page through the proxy server without needing to initiate a request to the web server. This increases the efficiency of the network.
Bottom Line
If you want to protect your anonymity online, avoid content restrictions or even implement content filtering to determine what sites other employees can visit, a proxy server can help.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a proxy server used for?
Proxy servers are used by organizations that want to bypass regional content restrictions, implement content filtering internally, increase bandwidth or efficiency, or increase the security and privacy of end users
What’s the difference between a VPN and a proxy?
While proxies and virtual private networks (VPNs) serve similar purposes, they have a distinct difference; VPNs will not only route network traffic, but will also use encryption to obfuscate the activity so it can’t be viewed by internet service providers.
How do I know if I have a proxy server?
The exact process for checking if you’re behind a proxy server will depend on your operating system and the type of proxy that’s in use. On Windows 11, you can check for a proxy by pressing the Start button, entering Proxy, and selecting Change Proxy Settings. You can then click the Set Up button and check if there’s a proxy active.
On Mac, you can check by clicking on the Apple icon, followed by System Preferences and Network. Then click on Advanced > Proxies. If there are no settings preconfigured, then there’s no proxy in operation.
Should the proxy server be on or off?
You should only use a proxy server if you want to be anonymous when browsing online. If you don’t need to browse anonymously, turn it off, as using it will increase bandwidth consumption and decrease your connection speed.
