The proxy market has experienced a boom in the past few years. Unlike the negative, black hat reviews formerly attached to it years back, proxies can offer many valuable benefits to businesses and private individuals.
Today, people are looking for the best proxy services for affiliate programs, accessing geo-restricted content, enhancing online privacy, overcoming website blocks, changing their IP addresses, and improving performance on their connections as offered by VPN split tunneling features. In addition, many organizations also enjoy the possibility of engaging in SEO monitoring, web scraping, market research, and data aggregation, among others.
What is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server is a router or system software that runs on a network as an intermediary between computer users and the Internet. Computers leverage proxy servers to make requests to another on their behalf.
But then, choosing a reliable proxy service can seem quite hard as the market is dense with several services flaunting as legit but could cause harmful effects to your network. Anything can lie beneath unrealistic marketing slogans. For instance, they could be laden with false promises about the actual IP addresses the provider manages or has several unethically factored IP addresses.
How Do Proxy Servers Work?
Proxy Servers use unique IP addresses as an intermediary when your computer requests access to an online resource. It gets the response from the web server and directs it to your computer.
So, how will you find reliable proxy services to consider?
It can be not easy, but before we uncover the best proxy servers we found from our research, let’s first consider why you need a proxy server.
One top reason people employ proxy servers today is to hide or change their IP address when accessing a website. There can be several reasons to consider a proxy server, and here are the most common:
It boosts security
Proxy servers strengthen security by acting as a firewall between your device and the web. This makes it difficult for hackers to locate your IP address and attack your network or computer.
It helps to prevent unwanted ads.
You’ll enjoy private browsing and block out unwanted ads from your connection with IP-specific data.
Use a proxy server to avoid employees accessing inappropriate sites
Some employees may indulge in inappropriate browsing even while at work which may cause a distraction while carrying out their organizational duty. Proxy servers can help you block those sites and only permit relevant web platforms. In fact, some organizations block websites like youtube, Twitter, and Facebook, to eliminate time-wasting temptations.
Access location-specific content
Assign a proxy server with an address linked to a different region. Use the proxy and make it appear as though you are located in that region to gain full access to every content permitted for use in the country.
5 Best Proxy Servers to Consider
While all Proxy Servers offer users the opportunity to use the Internet with a different address, different kinds proffer distinct features that can benefit other users.
Forward Proxy Servers
A forward proxy curates data from user groups within a specific network. The proxy server receives and examines requests and makes a connection decision. For example, a connection may be denied if it appears it detects a potential threat.
The forward proxy can best be considered for internal networks looking to create a single entry point for all access. It offers security based on the network IP addresses and allows for smooth management access control.
Transparent Proxy Servers
Transparent Proxy offers transparent features that make it look like the users are using their personal home computers. Transparent Proxy is transparent as implied but can also be ‘forced on users.’ This indicates that a user can be connected without being aware.
This proxy type is specifically nice for companies that want to deploy proxy servers without their employees being aware of it. It is great for providing a seamless user experience. However, it can be at risk of security threats such as SYN-flood denial-of-service attacks.
Anonymous Proxy Servers
Anonymous Proxy Servers are primarily concerned with making it difficult for third parties to trace a user’s activity online. It disguises the user’s presence on the Internet and also conceals their data.
An anonymous Proxy is best for surfers who want to enjoy complete anonymity while accessing the Internet. However, the proxy type is perceived by many as underhanded, and its users are sometimes discriminated against.
Distorting Proxy Servers
A distorting proxy server shows itself as a proxy on a web page but still conceals its own identity. To achieve this, it changes its IP address to an incorrect one.
Distorting proxy works best for people who don’t want their location traceable while on the Internet. It can make you appear as if you are in a different country from your actual location. Aside from hiding your own identity online, this proxy also hides its own identity. In essence, even if you are linked to the proxy server, your identity is still secure. But you might have challenges with sites that automatically block distorting proxies that could prevent an end user from accessing actual web pages they need for their work.
Public Proxy Servers
As the name implies, a public proxy is for the public and can be accessed by anyone for free. Its function is simply to offer access to its IP address by hiding the user’s identity while surfing the Internet.
A public proxy can be best considered by users who prioritize costs over speed and security. While they are free and can be used by anyone, they may get bogged down because of the high rate of free users.
Shared Proxy Servers
Shared proxies allow multiple users at a time. It offers access to an IP that can be similarly accessed by other people who want to browse the Internet while disguising their locations.
Shared proxies are best for people who wouldn’t like to opt for a free option but, at the same time, do not have much to spend. But while they offer low cost, you might be taking up the blame for someone else’s wrong, meaning you could get banned.
