Key Differences Between Proxy Types
When thinking about your online security, you likely first think about viruses and other malicious software you can accidentally download. your cybersecurity and online anonymity don’t start and stop at preventing malware (though it’s still something that should be taken seriously).
Malware is not as big of a threat to the average internet user as regular, reputable sites that continually collect personally identifiable data. Whether you simply want to get the best price for your plane tickets or need to conduct essential business processes such as web scraping, you’ll need to improve your online security and anonymity and prevent websites from collecting your information. The best way to do so is with the help of proxies.
Proxies come in different shapes and forms, so it’s always in your best interest to familiarize yourself with different proxy types to ensure you’re using the one best suited to your needs.
Take a look below to learn more about proxy types and find out their fundamental differences.
What are proxies, and how do they work?
Regardless of the proxy type, whether it’s a public, dedicated, or shared proxy, it always serves the same purpose – to separate you and your personal information from the sites you’re visiting. In a nutshell, a proxy acts as an intermediary between your device and the web.
Without a proxy, your device communicates directly with any website you visit. When you put in an information request on Google, for instance, and open the first website that pops up, that website can almost immediately identify you.
It can read your IP address, the browser and even the OS version you’re using, your hardware and software configurations, and it can even learn your gender, marital status, and more.
Most commonly, all the information collected is used for marketing purposes, but it can also be used to change the type of content you have access to, prevent you from accessing the website in question, and more. websites cannot collect your information when you use a proxy.
As an intermediary between you and the web, the proxy routes all your information requests and sends them to websites on your behalf. That means your device never actually comes into contact with the websites you visit. So, instead of collecting your information, the websites you’re accessing collect the proxy’s information. Thus, you can keep your online anonymity and enjoy a seamless browsing experience.
Main features of a proxy
Depending on your proxy service, you’ll find it enriched with numerous different features. However, the best proxies will offer the following capabilities:
- Hide your IP address – proxies will protect your original IP address and prevent websites from reading it;
- Assign new IP addresses – you will receive a fake new IP address that makes it seem like the traffic is coming from a different physical location;
- Bypass geo-restrictions – with IP addresses from different locations, you can go behind geo-restrictions and access content that might not be available where you are;
- Improve performance and speed – most proxies will cache data from websites to give you immediate access to information without lag;
- Monitor and filter content – you can use proxies to set up parental controls and prevent other users from using your device to access certain websites;
- Drop connection if your information is exposed – many proxies feature a so-called “kill switch” that will drop the connection with a website if there’s a risk of your information being exposed.
Considering the powerful features they offer, proxies can benefit businesses and individuals who need better online security and anonymity.
Different proxy types
Proxies can be differentiated in several different ways – based on the level of anonymity they provide, the types of protocols they work with, and the traffic flow they offer. most commonly, they’re differentiated based on the type of service they have. Thus, you’ll usually find public, shared, and dedicated proxies.
Public proxy
Public proxies are the most common type. They’re generally available to all users for free, and you can access them from any device with an internet connection. As a general rule of thumb, public proxies will offer just a few different IP addresses shared between all users, which can cause lagging and site-blocking issues.
Shared proxy
A shared proxy is a significant step up from the public one. While the server resources are still shared between multiple users simultaneously, the number of users is highly limited.
It generally has a more extensive library of available IP addresses and rotates them between users. It has better speed, reliability, and performance than a public proxy.
Dedicated proxy
A dedicated proxy is designed for a single user. It offers the greatest levels of security and the best performance. All the server resources are at your service, so you’ll enjoy better speeds, a more reliable connection, and dedicated customer support.
The biggest drawback is that dedicated proxies can be exceptionally expensive, so it’s best reserved for business uses.
Pros and cons of different proxy types
All proxy types can offer an added layer of protection, but they don’t all present the same benefits. Examine the pros and cons of different proxy types before choosing the one best suited to your needs.
Public proxy pros and cons
✅ Free
✅ Easy to find
✅ Can bypass some geo-restrictions
❌All resources shared between users
❌Risky
Shared proxy pros and cons
✅ Affordable
✅ Reliable
✅ Can be used for web scraping
❌ Server resources shared between users
❌ At the risk of getting the shared IP banned
Dedicated proxy pros and cons
✅ All server resources are reserved for your use
✅ Best performance
✅ Better security
❌ Expensive
❌ Not as anonymous as shared proxies since you’re the only one using your given IP
As a general rule of thumb, because of security issues and higher risks, it’s always best to steer clear of free proxies that are available to all users. Individuals will get the best value for their money from shared proxies, while those who want to up the ante on their security should choose dedicated proxies.
Conclusion
Browsing the internet without a proxy exposes your sensitive private information to all the websites you visit. While much of that information is used for marketing purposes, it could expose you to risks such as identity theft, and it could limit the type of content you are allowed access to.
If you want to improve your security and anonymity and enjoy browsing without fearing geo-restrictions, using dedicated or shared proxies is the way to go.
