VPNs are the best-known and most-used way to surf the net anonymously, connecting to any server in the world, but they are not the only way that exists. Some proxy servers behave similarly to VPNs, changing your geographic location and protecting you from the internet.
Although VPNs and proxies operate similarly, they differ in many areas. This article will explain these differences and see how VPNs and proxies work in detail.
What is a proxy and how does it work?
A proxy server is simply a computer within the network that acts as an intermediary for our internet traffic. In essence, our internet connection will not be directed by our modem. Still, it will pass entirely through the proxy server, which will exchange data with the network on our behalf, thus making us anonymous, given that the IP address we connect to the network is not ours but that of the proxy server. Those more knowledgeable will have already noticed that the operation explained is similar to that of a VPN server but with some substantial differences. A proxy server does not worry about encrypting data or protecting it in any way, it is just an internet network filter, which does not have much impact on network performance and can therefore manage many simultaneous connections. Instead, a VPN server connects directly to a network node via tunneling, which routes packets to the server, which then exchanges them with the network in an encrypted manner.
Proxy servers are usually used to route large amounts of traffic, for example, in public facilities or companies, and control and filter it. Thanks to a proxy, you can block a certain type of internet traffic. For example, you can block access to social media or any unauthorized site, which can be useful within public and private organizations.
The connection protocols of a proxy
The connection protocols of a proxy server are different and we will analyze them all in detail. The first distinction to make is between public and private proxy servers:
- Public proxies: Public or open proxy servers can be used by anyone freely to route their traffic. They can handle thousands of concurrent connections and are usually free. The problem is that a public proxy can often become unstable if too many people connect at the same time and it may then suddenly stop working. Not to mention that the managers of these proxy servers are not always identifiable and your data could fall into unwanted hands. In any case, public proxy servers are very simple to use and almost always free.
- Private proxies: Private proxies are not available to everyone and are not free. They are servers that must be purchased and are ideal for safeguarding the security of our data. Not everyone can access these servers, which identifiable and trusted companies operate. They are faster and more reliable than public proxies.
After discussing one of the main distinctions of proxies, let’s examine the various proxy server protocols to understand better how they work.
HTTP Proxy
An HTTP proxy is simply a server that only works with web pages, therefore with the HTTP protocol. Every web page you visit will go through the proxy. Thanks to this type of proxy, you can control and select the types of web content that users connected via the proxy can visit. You can maintain the privacy of users connected via the proxy server and not via their PC. HTTP proxies are usually faster than regular proxies as they don’t have to monitor all the internet traffic, only that coming from the web browser.
One of the main problems with proxies that use the HTTP protocol is security, as our data can be easily traced. Furthermore, our IP address is also at risk, as it can be easily discovered, blowing up all the talk about proxy privacy. Furthermore, the proxy does not encrypt the data and could be visible to unwanted people. To overcome this security problem, some proxies use the HTTPS protocol.
HTTPS/SSL proxy
A proxy server that uses the HTTPS protocol behaves the same as one that uses the HTTP protocol but takes advantage of the advantages of SSL encryption. Essentially the HTTPS protocol differs from normal HTTP in terms of the security it offers thanks to the Secure Socket Layer, SSL, which protects our data. In essence, the data transmitted via packets is encapsulated in encrypted “safes” that cannot be read by anyone except those with the decryption key.
Proxy servers that use the HTTPS protocol work the same as those seen above. They can only be used on web browsers and route our connection to a proxy server. Still, they have the advantage of encrypting our data so that it cannot be read by anyone, solving one of the critical issues of HTTP proxies, even if the risk of someone discovering our real IP address remains.
SOCKS / SOCKS5 proxy
A SOCKS proxy server has a wider scope of use than an HTTP proxy; it is not limited to monitoring and routing only traffic from web browsers but monitors all internet traffic coming from the PC. So, it offers more anonymity and control on a larger scale and is not just limited to websites. Having to deal with a large amount of data, SOCKS proxies are also slower than others, as they have to monitor and route more data, but on the other hand, they offer more anonymity.
Even in this type of proxy, the critical issues already seen in the other types remain; our IP address can always be discovered, although in a more complicated way than with HTTP proxies. The SOSCKS and SOCKS5 proxies can also be configured with an SSL encryption protocol to encrypt communications and secure our data from prying eyes.
Existing proxy types
In addition to the distinction between public and private proxies already seen, other types of proxies are present on the internet, in many cases invisible and unknown to us users, which serve, for example, to manage connections to public networks. Below, we will see the various existing proxies and explain what they are and how they work.
Transparent proxies
A transparent proxy is a special type that cannot be seen by users who access it; it is only known by the service provider. Since this proxy is invisible, you don’t need to configure your web browser. The operation is simple; a transparent proxy is between the user and the service he wants to access.
For example, this proxy type is widely used to connect to public networks. When you request a connection to a public network, a site will be loaded directly on the proxy and not on the actual server, where you will have to accept the terms of service and log in. Only once you have authenticated or accepted the terms will you be connected to the server to distribute the internet load across multiple devices.
Web proxies
A web proxy is a service offered, often free of charge, allowing you to connect with a public HTTP server. A web proxy essentially takes data traffic and modifies it to make our computer anonymous in the eyes of the Internet. Furthermore, in most cases, web proxies do not require additional software installation and are completely free.
However, web proxies are rarely used as they are not very fast in responding, affecting the browsing experience, and have data security problems.
Anonymous proxy
An anonymous proxy makes you remain anonymous in the eyes of the Internet. It hides your IP address so you can surf online without sites knowing where you are and who you are. Only the IP address of the proxy server will be visible to the sites, not that of the computer connected to that server.
This is not a 100% guaranteed solution. There are more secure and guaranteed anonymous proxies and others that are more attackable. In any case, the security levels of a VPN are not achieved. An excellent solution to evaluate for a possible purchase is NordVPN, one of the best VPNs for privacy, security, and speed on numerous servers.
What is the difference between a proxy and a VPN?
At this point in the article you will have already understood the difference between a proxy and a VPN, their ultimate goal is the same, but they get there using different methods. VPNs are more secure than proxies; they have advanced encryption protocols and can keep the IP address more secure to make us anonymous online. Proxy servers also serve for online anonymity, but they do not have advanced security protocols and keep our IP address less safe. However, they have greater speed than VPNs. Let’s now look in detail at the differences between these two types of anonymous internet connection.
Cryptography
There is no competition between a proxy and a VPN in this field. If you are looking for security, then a VPN service is what you need. VPNs have advanced encryption, using protocols with keys even at 256 bits, which are practically impossible to trace. Proxy servers have weak or no encryption, relying more on the HTTPS protocol to encrypt web browser traffic, while all other internet traffic remains exposed. So, traffic passing through a proxy server is unsafe and can be intercepted.
Coverage
A proxy does not cover all the traffic that leaves your PC and reaches the network, but only parts of traffic, perhaps from a website. Conversely, a VPN covers all the traffic that starts from your computer and reaches the network thanks to the tunneling technique, which routes all the packets to the VPN server and then exchanges them with the network. Some proxies cover almost all the traffic coming from our PC, but it is not always fully effective, and can be useless against advanced firewalls.
Price
One of the points in favor of proxies is certainly the cost compared to VPNs. A proxy server is often completely free and open; anyone can access and use it. This makes them extremely convenient but, on the other hand, very unsafe. They become useful when you want to change your geographical position, perhaps for some streaming site, because you can do it for free. On the other hand, VPN services all have a cost, even if not very high. Be wary of free VPNs that could sell your data. If you need to use a free VPN, then go with a proxy.
Safety
The security issue has already been addressed and a proxy cannot reach the security levels of a paid VPN. As mentioned, VPNs encapsulate all network traffic by encrypting it and sending it to the server. At the same time, proxies do not carry out any encryption operations directly, although encryption protocols can also be added to proxy servers. Surely if your aim is security, you should not use a proxy for your online traffic, especially if it is a free proxy, which does not guarantee security.
Support
VPN services are now available for any device, both for PCs and smartphones, but there are also consoles, TV boxes, and TV Sticks; let’s say that practically every electronic device connected to the internet that is capable of playing videos can have its own VPN. On the other hand, proxies are less used and less secure and are not directly available for many devices, even if the most experienced can configure them. In general, the most used proxies are those within web browsers, which are therefore available mostly for PCs, at most for smartphones.
Speed and stability
Speeds could be another point in favor of proxies over VPNs. Since proxy servers don’t have to worry about encrypting data, they are faster and are used to filter many concurrent connections, something that a VPN server would struggle to handle. However, when we talk about public proxies, the situation could be reversed; when the server has to manage many connections, more than it can handle, it slows down, and all its advantages disappear. Furthermore, public proxies are also unstable; given the theoretically unlimited connections they can have, sometimes they may suddenly stop working. VPNs, for their part, have the great advantage of stability; it is difficult for a VPN server to stop working, even if they have a slower connection speed.
When to use a proxy?
At this point in the article, you will already know when to use a proxy and when not. Proxies are usually very useful, as we have already seen, for public connections since they identify users before connecting to the main server to remove weight from the latter. Many companies also use proxies to filter the connection so that employees have sites and content blocked while working, although this practice is becoming disuse nowadays.
Personally, using a proxy is not recommended if you carry out more sensitive activities online, as our data is unsafe when using a proxy. You can use a proxy when, for example, you want to use a foreign catalog of a streaming service, with the economic advantage of not having to pay for a VPN and having a faster connection.
When to use a VPN?
It’s an understatement to say that you use a VPN in all cases where you don’t use a proxy, but it’s also right. In fact, VPNs, in general, offer the same service as a proxy but with much higher standards of security and network stability. If you use the network for business purposes, exchanging sensitive data, or working remotely, then using a valid VPN is essential, as it is the only way to remain anonymous online and keep your data safe.
A VPN certainly has advantages for private and personal use; the main one is always the same: you are invisible to the network and, therefore, technically untraceable if you carry out illegal actions on the internet. To watch foreign catalogs of streaming services, using a VPN is perhaps superfluous since it could undermine your connection, in which case it is perhaps better to use a proxy, which is free and more immediate. The general point is essentially one: if you need privacy online and you exchange sensitive data that you don’t want to be stolen in some way, then you necessarily have to use a VPN if, instead, your aim is only to position yourself virtually in other parts of the world, then a proxy server will suffice.