Proxies are used by both individuals and businesses that want to change their real IP address and location. Often described as a middleman between a user and the target website, a proxy is used for tasks like data aggregation, accessing geo-restricted content, or comparing prices.
What Is a Proxy Server?
Think of a proxy server as an intermediary between your device and the website you’re visiting. Instead of sending a request to a web page directly, a proxy server routes the connection through itself and sends it on your behalf. The website’s response also goes through the server.
So, What Are Proxies?
Each device connected to the internet has an IP address, which refers to a unique number linked to all online activities. It also shares some other details like approximate location and what internet service provider issued the address.
In simple words, proxies are different IP addresses that you get after your connection goes through a proxy server. A proxy also changes your location. For example, if you connect to a UK proxy, the target website will see you as if you’re living in the country.
Main Proxy Types
There are four main types of proxies, and they all serve one primary purpose – proxies change your IP address and location. However, each type is used for different tasks.
1. Datacenter (Shared and Private) Proxies
Datacenter proxies are held in servers of web hosting companies like Amazon AWS or Google Cloud. Datacenter proxies can be either shared or dedicated. It means you’ll either share them with several people at the same time or use the IPs alone at a given time.
These proxies are fast but easy to detect because websites can tell you’re connecting via a datacenter IP. In terms of price, shared proxies are the cheapest, followed by dedicated proxy prices. However, both types are no longer suited for accessing websites behind strong bot protection systems.
2. Residential Proxies
Residential proxies borrow IP addresses from real user devices connected to the internet: for example, a laptop, smartphone, or smart TV. Residential addresses are associated with internet service providers like Comcast (US) or Vodafone (UK).
The proxies rotate by default – they rely on real people with unstable connections, so they can’t really be static. But some providers offer sticky sessions; you can hold the same IP for, let’s say, 30 minutes. Residential proxies are hard to block, and they’re the best proxy option for large scale automation tasks like web scraping. These addresses are several times more expensive than datacenter proxies.
3. ISP proxies
ISP – or static residential – proxies are associated with internet service providers but aren’t dependent on end users like residential proxies. ISP proxies use the ANSs – a number that identifies the owner of IP addresses – of consumer internet service providers.
This type of proxy combines the qualities of datacenter and residential addresses. They’re fast and have high uptime and are hard to detect. However, ISP proxies come with limited locations and high prices.
4. Mobile Proxies
Mobile proxies are the newest type and sometimes they’re referred as the best proxy. They use a cellular connection – the traffic is sent through mobile devices connected to mobile carriers like Verizon. So, in essence, you have to use a mobile device that runs on mobile data.
Websites are reluctant to block mobile addresses because they might block hundreds of users. Why? Because when mobile devices became so popular, most IPv4 combinations had been distributed. So, mobile devices use CGNAT technology, where one IP address represents hundreds of customers. Compared to the other three types, mobile IPs are the most expensive.
Why Should You Use a Proxy?
Now that you know the basics about proxies, what are the reasons for using one?
1. Improve Online Privacy and Security
The most basic reason why people use proxies is to improve online privacy. By masking your real IP address and location, a website can’t trace your IP back to you, so your activities remain confidential.
2. Access Restricted Content
Video streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube or BBC iPlayer have limitations related to user locations. For example, if you’re living in the UK, you won’t be able to see the same movies or TV series on Netflix as if you were in the US. Sometimes (in the case of the BBC iPlayer), you’ll even get a “We’re sorry, this content isn’t available in your country” message if you’re outside the UK. So, by changing your IP address, you can access any restricted content.
In the same way, you can overcome other restrictions related to your location. Some countries restrict social media platforms, and your workplace can block certain websites from being accessed from a work IP address. With a proxy, you can unblock any target.
3. Run Multiple Automated Tasks
The main reason individual users and enterprises use proxies is to run many automated tasks. Proxy providers control thousands to millions of IP addresses. They usually have no problems offering many countries or cities.
This variety lets you avoid CAPTCHAs and IP blocks, as well as access different locations. That’s why proxies are used for cases like web scraping, data aggregation, SEO monitoring, and protecting intellectual property.
4. Prevent Ad Fraud
Businesses lose billions of dollars every year to ad fraud. Ads are run both locally and globally. So, it becomes difficult to verify every ad shown in different countries. Malicious actors often block the IP addresses of ad testers or companies themselves. With a proxy, you can see what’s happening with your ad campaign.
Proxy Server vs VPN
Proxies and VPNs both route your traffic through themselves and act as an intermediary. So, why should you use one over the other?
By and large, proxies are used for bulk automated tasks when you need to make many connections at once. On the other hand, a VPN will allow you to establish only one connection, but they’re usually better for security and privacy reasons.
Conclusion
Proxies offer many advantages to individuals and businesses – whether it’s to improve your online privacy and security, access restricted content, or automate tasks on a large scale. While proxies share some similarities with VPNs, they excel in scenarios demanding multiple connections and faster speeds.
