Proxies are useful tools to help businesses and individuals enhance their online experience. However, there are various proxy types available, which can make it challenging to know which to use for what purpose. That’s why we look at various proxies, considering the different types based on IP location and protocol, under which most proxies fall.
We’ll look at options like residential, datacenter, HTTP, and SOCKS5 proxy options. We’ll also consider the uses of proxies like a SOCKS5 proxy and what it’s best used for.
What are Proxy Servers?
Proxies act as intermediary servers between you and the internet. If you use one, then your request will be rerouted through the proxy, which directly contacts the website you’re accessing. In this way, you’re not actually connecting directly with the website, which means you have better anonymity. Proxies have various uses, which we explore below based on their type.
Proxy Servers Based on IP Location
We’ll start by looking at proxies based on IP locations, as these types can encompass almost any proxy you come across.
Datacenter
We start with datacenter proxies, as these are some of the cheapest ones. They source their IPs from a data center server farm online. Dedicated and shared options are available, but dedicated ones are far superior, as you’re not sharing the proxy server and IP pool with other users.
That makes this proxy one of the fastest available but also more easily detectable. This proxy is ideal for short, quick tasks or simply improving your network connection. If you’re a gamer looking to enhance your connection speed and latency, then this proxy is ideal.
Residential
These proxies are some of the most secure types, as the IP pool is sourced from home devices with their IP addresses assigned by ISPs. As such, you look more authentic when using a residential proxy, and you’re less likely to become blocked. However, connection speed can be slightly lower, and the proxy is often more expensive.
This proxy type is ideal for web scraping or any online activity like ad verification, where you must look like a real person performing the action. Some of its rotating or ISP variants can enhance your web scraping, and it’s also ideal for managing multiple social media accounts. It’s also well suited for changing your geolocation so that it looks like you’re in a specific market.
Mobile
Similar to residential proxies, mobile proxy servers also use IPs that cell towers provide to mobile devices. Also called 3G and 4G proxies, these servers have an IP pool of mobile addresses, which makes you look like a mobile user when connecting to the internet.
Mobile proxy servers are ideal for testing apps, verifying mobile ads, and experiencing mobile services. It’s also extremely secure, so you don’t need to worry regarding websites picking up that you’re using a proxy.
Servers Based on Protocol
Another way to identify proxy types is by protocol. Below, we look at three main types and the uses of each.
HTTP
A Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server is one of the most common ones. Still, it’s slowly becoming less popular due to its lower security measures, as it sends traffic using plain text. Still, it’s one of the cheaper options, available in bulk, and easy to source.
This proxy is useful when you’re completing simple actions, like purchasing stock of limited edition products. It’s further useful for a business that aims to identify traffic on its website and filter content. It helps rapidly cache data and routes client requests from the browser to the internet.
SSL (HTTPS)
Secure Socket Layer (SSL) proxies are also known as HTTPS proxy servers and are the more secure version of an HTTP server. When you use one of these proxies, it encrypts and decrypts all data it sends and routes, which makes it extremely secure.
As such, it’s a server that businesses and individuals often use to enhance their cybersecurity. It can effectively hide confidential information while concealing your IP address, location, and other information. It’s a great tool for businesses that often send sensitive information to clients.
SOCKS5
A SOCKS5 proxy isn’t as secure as an SSL one, but it’s still one of high security, as it doesn’t read the information that passes through the server. Since it doesn’t read the information, it’s ideal for processing all types of traffic, making it a multi-use tool. Further, it supports the UDP protocol that can send unencrypted data at a faster rate and also the more secure TCP protocol.
SOCKS5 proxies are ideal for various uses, such as gamers looking to play or access games in another country, web scraping services, torrenting and streaming shows, and other data. Further, these proxies can effectively communicate with websites that have firewalls, helping you access arbitrary TCP connections that are located outside your firewalls.
Use the Best Proxies for Your Goal
Many types of proxies exist, and various category types, like organizing them by traffic flow, anonymity level, specific applications, service, and more. However, almost all proxies will fall within the above categories, making it easy to find one that suits your needs.
Each proxy is ideal in a different situation, so consider what you’re using it for before sourcing one. Businesses focused on web scraping should have a look at residential proxies and the various types, while gamers should consider SOCKS5 proxy options. Knowing the uses of each proxy means you can more effectively decide on the best option for your goal.