A proxy server is an intermediary server that receives data from Internet sources such as: B. A website on your behalf. They act as an additional data security perimeter that protects you from malicious activity on the Internet.
Proxy servers have many uses depending on their configuration and type. Common uses include facilitating anonymous web browsing, bypassing geoblocks, and regulating web requests.
How does a proxy server work?
Proxy servers work by facilitating web requests and responses between users and web servers.
Usually, a user accesses a website by sending a request from her web browser directly to her web server using the IP address. The web server then sends a response containing her website data directly to the user.
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between you and a web server. The proxy server uses another her IP address on behalf of the user. This hides the user's real address from the web server.
The standard proxy server configuration works as follows.
1. A user enters her URL for a website into a browser.
2. A proxy server receives user requests.
3. The proxy server forwards the request to her web server.
4. The web server sends the response (website data) to the proxy server.
5. Proxy server forwards response to user.
Types of proxy servers
There are many types of proxy servers, classified by traffic, anonymity, application, service, IP address, and accessibility.
Below is a classification of several different types of proxy servers
1. Forward proxy server
Forward proxy (commonly referred to as "proxy") is a type of proxy server that normally forwards network requests internal to the Internet through the firewall.
Forwarding proxies are configured to 'allow' or 'deny' user requests to bypass the firewall to access content on the Internet.
If the proxy allows the user's request, it forwards the request to the web server through the firewall. The web server sends its response to the proxy. The proxy then sends this response back to the user.
The forwarding proxy first checks if the information requested by the user is cached before retrieving it from the server. The proxy itself stores cached information, eliminating the need to request that information from the server. If the requested information is cached, the proxy sends it directly to the user.
If the proxy rejects the user's request, it sends the user an error message or a redirect.
2. Reverse proxy server
A reverse proxy is a type of proxy server that forwards requests from the Internet to users on your internal network, typically through a firewall. Basically a "reverse" forward proxy.
A reverse proxy is configured to restrict and monitor user access to web servers containing sensitive data. User requests are routed through the firewall over the Internet to the reverse proxy.
If the proxy allows the user's request, the proxy gets this information from her web server and responds to the user.
The reverse proxy first checks to see if the information requested by the user is cached before retrieving it from the server. The proxy stores all cached information so you don't have to request it from the server. If the requested information is cached, the proxy will send it directly to the user.
If the proxy denies the user's request, the user will be sent an error her message or a redirect message.
3. Anonymous Proxy Server
High Anonymous Proxy Server (Level 1)
High Anonymous Proxy Server provides the highest security for users. It hides the user's IP address and does not identify it as a proxy to a web server (unlike an anonymous proxy). These proxies regularly change his IP address when sending requests to web servers, thus ensuring a high degree of privacy.
Anonymous Proxy Server (Layer 2)
Anonymous Proxy (also known as Interfering Proxy) hides a user's real her IP address when she visits her website. A proxy server "distorts" your own IP address by changing your geolocation to the web server. An anonymous proxy identifies itself as a proxy in web server requests.
Anonymous Proxy is her one of the most commonly used proxies. It can be used to hide your geographic location, evade targeted marketing, or visit censored websites based on your real location.
TOR (The Onion Router) is a free and open source web browser that routes users' Internet her traffic through a network of volunteer servers to ensure anonymity. TOR helps eliminate visibility into Internet activity by encrypting, decrypting, and re-encrypting web requests multiple times before they reach their destination servers (a process known as "onion routing"). ).
Anonymous proxies are the opposite of transparent proxies.
Transparent Proxy Server (Level 3)
Transparent Proxy is the opposite of Anonymous Proxy. As the name suggests, transparent proxies do not hide identity information about users.
Sends requests coming directly from the user to the web server.
4. Protocol Proxy Server
HTTP Proxy Server
HTTP proxy uses HTTP protocol and is not configured by the user. Instead, it consists of a browser or her website's user interface. HTTP proxies only work with web content and cannot be used with other data types.
An HTTP proxy allows a user to browse her web on another of her IP addresses, but provides no additional privacy or security. All user activity can be viewed over the internet as if there were no proxy.
Some HTTP proxies allow users to connect to HTTPS websites, enabling encrypted Internet connections, but not always. The HTTP proxy can either exclude HTTPS connections entirely, or allow the user to connect only to the insecure version of her website, even though it also allows secure connections.
Many HTTP proxies are free and monetize their services by inserting advertisements into insecure connections. Be careful when accessing HTTP proxies.
HTTPS proxy server A
HTTPS proxy (also called an SSL proxy) works like an HTTP proxy, except that it establishes a secure connection. The HTTPS proxy works only with web content and cannot be used with other data types.
HTTPS proxy encrypts all web traffic using the HTTPS protocol. HTTPS websites are already encrypted by an SSL certificate, providing users with a private and secure connection. When a user connects to her HTTPS website through an HTTPS proxy, that connection is double protected
SOCKS Proxy Server
SOCKS (SOCKets Secure) proxy allows any type of traffic compatible with SOCKS5 protocol. The SOCKS5 protocol routes user traffic over TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) through a third-party server (SOCKS proxy server).
SOCKS proxy does not provide its own encryption. If the website/app you use uses encryption itself, it will only work over a secure connection.
Most SOCKS proxy servers support SHH. This allows secure connections with apps that also support SHH. Note that SOCKS proxies do not guarantee anonymity even with SHH enabled.
SIP Proxy
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Proxy acts as an intermediary between SIP devices (such as phones) over the SIP protocol. A SIP proxy controls calls within a network by requesting information from a SIP registry and routing calls accordingly.
SMTP proxy server
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) proxy acts as an intermediary for sending emails via the SMTP protocol. Proxies are configured to allow or deny incoming and outgoing email based on factors such as the source address, the sender's server, and even the content of the email.
SMTP does not provide any authentication method and therefore does not protect users from cybercrime such as email spoofing. Businesses should implement additional email security measures to authenticate incoming email. B. Sender Policy Framework (SPF) filtering, Domain Key Identified Mail (DKIM), and Domain-Based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC).
SMTP Proxy can also be used for:
Filter spam and inappropriate content
Protect users from cyberattacks such as phishing attacks and malware
Balance SMTP traffic
FTP proxy server
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a all traffic. FTP is a protocol for exchanging files over the Internet and internal networks.
FTP Proxy allows or denies file transfers based on factors such as source/destination IP address and user authentication.
FTP Proxy can also be used for: Proxy Agent
The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) proxy agent is a network management tool that acts as an intermediary between DHCP devices and requests made through the DHCP protocol.
The DHCP server broadcasts the network configuration to devices on the network.
A device connected to a subnet through a router may not be able to send configuration requests to his DHCP server. A DHCP proxy agent forwards requests from such devices to the server, receives responses, and sends them back to the device.
DNS proxy server The
DNS proxy forwards your Domain Name System (DNS) requests to a DNS server. DNS is the system that allows users to enter domain names (e.g. google
com) and not an IP address.
When a user enters a domain name, DNS selects a server for the domain to handle the user's request. DNS servers can allow access to a domain or block requests from an IP based on multiple factors, including: B. Authentication or Location Restrictions.
DNS Proxy can also be used for:
Load balances servers enabled with
DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC)
Protects servers from domain hijacking and DNS spoofing
Speeds up the domain lookup process and performance
Caches DNS requests across DNS servers
Smart DNS Proxy Server
Smart DNS Proxy allows users to enforce DNS restrictions such as: B. Location Limits. Unlike a regular proxy server, a smart DNS proxy redirects only a portion of the user's internet her traffic (DNS requests).
DNS servers usually connect users to the closest geographically closest web server. Certain online content such as B. Video streaming services and news platforms restrict content based on location.
A smart DNS proxy bypasses these restrictions by forwarding DNS requests to specific servers that allow access to such content. For example, if an Australian user wants to access US content, Smart DNS Proxy redirects her DNS requests to US-based servers.
CGI Proxy Server
CGI (Common Gateway Interface) proxy is a type of web proxy server that allows users to access her website anonymously through web forms. Because CGI proxies are web-based, users can access proxy services on devices or networks that do not allow proxy configuration.
5. Access to Proxy Server
Public Proxy Server
Public Proxy (also known as open proxy or shared proxy) is available free of charge to any Internet user. A proxy allows you to browse the Internet anonymously by allowing access to your IP address.
Public proxies are ideal for cost-conscious users, but not for those concerned about data security and speed. It tends to lag behind as many users are attracted to the free services of public proxies. Also, due to its open nature, there is a high risk of sensitive data being leaked when users share personal information through proxies, similar to public Wi-Fi networks.
Private Proxy Servers
Private proxies (also known as dedicated proxies) provide individual users with exclusive access to provided IP addresses.
More secure than public proxies because IP addresses are assigned exclusively to specific users.
Private proxies are ideal for users who value their online privacy more and are willing to invest in the higher costs required to access services.
🚀 Try Doc-E.ai for FREE! 🎉
✨ Discover Powerful Insights! ✨
With Doc-E.ai, you can:
- 🔍 Analyze Developer Feedback
- 💡 Get Smart Content Suggestions
- 📊 Track Engagement Trends
🎁 Start your free trial today and experience the magic! 💫
0 Comments