A dedicated proxy server allows you to take countermeasures against threats on the Internet. It is a great advantage to use proxies to ensure security. In this issue, the PrivateProxy team will explain these dedicated proxy servers in detail.
What is a proxy server?
Today, there are many threats on the Internet, and it is essential to improve security. If you use the Internet without any countermeasures, there is a danger that your personal information may be extracted.
By installing a proxy server, it is possible to prevent various problems that may occur on the Internet.
Overview of Proxy Servers
The word “proxy” means “surrogate. A proxy server acts as an intermediary between a smartphone or PC and a website, passing data to and from the server.
It also has a function called a cache, which temporarily stores data from websites viewed in the past.
For example, when multiple users want to access a Website at the same time, the proxy server can return the temporarily stored cache to prevent site display delays.
Other functions include filtering, which prevents users from viewing harmful sites, and automatic translation when a user accesses an overseas site.
How Proxy Servers Work
A proxy server is fundamentally set between the inner LAN and the outside Web. This area is called the DMZ (demilitarized zone or buffer zone) and is found exterior the inner LAN, which is ensured by a firewall.
When a client machine within the inner LAN gets to an outside web server, it communicates to this intermediary server, which in turn communicates to the outside web server.
When an answer arrives from the outside web server, it isn’t sent straightforwardly to the client machine but is gotten by the proxy server and after that sent to the client machine.
In this way, the proxy server acts like an external web server from the client machine’s point of view and vice versa.
By doing so, it is possible to ensure anonymity and reduce server load.
Types of WEB Proxy Servers
Various types of proxies exist, including SMTP proxies, FTP proxies, and several others for each protocol, but here we will discuss web proxy servers as an example.
Types of Web Proxy Servers
- Forward proxy
- Cache servers
- Transparent proxies
- Reverse proxies
Forward Proxy
A forward proxy is a proxy server that is placed between the terminal that wishes to access a Website and the Web server to proxy access to the site.
The server on the website side that receives the request will only display information about the proxy side. Therefore, it is possible to hide the IP address of the terminal you wish to access.
Also, if some terminals are trying to access an unauthorized site, the proxy side can block them.
Cache Server
A cache server is a server that duplicates and stores various contents, such as images and pages, originating from a particular Internet server.
When a request is made from a terminal, the information stored in the cache is returned.
This allows the server to lighten the load on the Internet servers and shorten the time required for connection, even when many requests are made at once.
CDNs (Content Delivery Networks) are used for high-speed delivery of a wide range of content, including games, music, and movies.
Transparent Proxy
A transparent proxy is a method of accessing a website via a proxy server, which is controlled by the network side.
Therefore, a characteristic of a transparent proxy is that there is no need to configure proxy settings on the terminal side.
Reverse Proxy
A forward proxy is set up to act as a proxy for the client’s communications, while a reverse proxy is set up to receive requests to a Website on behalf of the client.
For this reason, reverse proxies are sometimes called “reverse proxies” and are responsible for preventing unauthorized access by accepting external network communications upfront.
In addition, reverse proxies also reduce the burden on the web server by maintaining a cache and depending on the configuration, it is possible to allow access only to specific addresses.
Thus, reverse proxies can be used to prevent unauthorized access.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Proxy Servers
Installing a proxy server can protect you from dangers on the Internet, but of course, there are disadvantages as well as advantages.
When using a proxy server, it is essential to understand both the advantages and disadvantages before using it effectively. The following is a specific explanation of the advantages and disadvantages of proxy servers.
- Merits
First, the advantages of proxy servers are explained.
- Anonymity can be ensured.
By using a proxy server, only the IP address of the proxy server is transmitted, not the IP address of the individual.
This makes it difficult for an individual’s IP address to be identified and prevents the risk of being the target of a cybercrime attack or being misused.
Thus, proxy servers are effective in protecting against the various threats that exist on the Internet.
- A record of access is kept on the proxy server.
Another major advantage of using a proxy server is that a record of access is kept on the proxy. A proxy server holds a record of which sites are accessed.
For example, if a company uses a proxy server, it is possible to check information such as “who has accessed what sites” and “whether any unauthorized sites have been accessed.
In the event of a cyber-attack, for example, the access information can be analyzed and appropriate action can be taken.
- They also play a role in security measures.
- Proxy servers can also provide security measures on the proxy.
For example, they can stop a terminal from transmitting sensitive information to the outside world or block access to unauthorized sites.
It is also possible to have a function called “load balancing” that can distribute access to multiple servers so that access is not concentrated on a particular site.
This function reduces the burden on the network and servers and also improves communication speed.