What is a proxy server? When do you need to use a proxy server? This article provides an introduction to proxy servers, which can help you better understand the usage and principles of proxy servers.
What is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server is just what it sounds like. At its most basic, it’s a server that sits between you and the rest of the internet, acting as a “proxy” for your traffic. Without a proxy, your computer or mobile device requests traffic from the web directly as it would on a standard connection. Adding a proxy server routes your request and the output of the website or service you’re connecting to through an external server first. It adds one degree of separation between you and the site or service you want to connect with.
How do Proxy Servers Work?
Proxy servers act as intermediaries between your computer (also known as a client) and the internet.
Here’s a basic rundown of how proxy servers work:
When you send a web request, your request goes to the proxy server first. The proxy server then makes your web request on your behalf, collects the response from the web server, and forwards you the web page data so you can see the page in your browser.
When the proxy server forwards your web requests, it can make changes to the data you send and receive. This could be anything from blocking a web page to changing the IP address (the numerical label assigned to any device that’s connected to a computer network) of your device.
Proxy servers can provide a high level of privacy. The internet gateway (the path data must travel through to get from your computer to the internet) sees requests coming from the proxy server, not your computer. In other words, it only knows that the proxy server is connecting to the internet, masking your identity and actions.
When the proxy provides responses to your requests, it can save a copy of the visited pages in cache. If you or another user request the same page again, the proxy server can deliver the cached data, speeding up the load time.
In general, proxy servers establish a secure and private connection between your computer and the internet. They play valuable roles in security, privacy, performance, and various functionalities depending on the type of proxy used.
Benefits of Proxy Servers
Proxy servers have a fairly simple mechanism and yet add a lot of value to an IT company or other corporate entity. Here are some of the primary benefits and use cases for proxy servers.
1.Improved Security
This is the main reason why companies use proxy servers, as data breaches are expensive and can result in huge losses. Global losses due to cybercrime reached over $6 trillion in 2021 and is expected to top $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
As a proxy server filters out malicious data from the internet before it reaches the company’s servers, it can act as an additional layer of security. A proxy server alone might not save the company’s network from all hacking attempts, but it can add to the security of the system and lower the risk of cyberattacks.
It can also help a company against phishing, identity or brand theft, DDoS attacks, and other malware attacks.
2.Anonymity
Since proxies sit between company networks and internet servers, the internet is unable to know the company IP that generated the request. A company’s research and development process, part of its intellectual property, is crucial for its success and must be protected. When an additional layer of security is present between the unfiltered internet and the company servers, it protects sensitive company data from being stolen.
For example, if a spy is monitoring the network, a proxy can prevent the spy from finding out what the employees are searching for online.
3.Faster Speed
Caching is another important function performed by proxy servers. More frequently visited sites can be cached by the proxy, thereby eliminating the need for the proxy to send a request to the internet servers whenever a request is made for those pages,.
More than that, proxy servers also compress traffic and remove ads from websites, thereby making the internet faster than usual.
4.Control Internet Usage
Proxies can be used to block undesirable content. For example, some companies might want to block certain social media sites so their employees aren’t distracted from their work. A proxy server also lets network administrators monitor the requests sent to the internet to ensure no illegal or improper activities are being carried out.
5.Bypassing Restrictions
Some websites only allow access to IPs from a certain location. This can be a problem when a business needs to access a geo-restricted website, but when a company uses a proxy server, the IP is masked and employees can access the content they need.
Disadvantages of Proxy Servers
Proxy servers, although useful in certain contexts, pose substantial drawbacks organizations must be cognizant of in strategic planning for internet security and performance.
A critical disadvantage is limited security. Proxies typically do not have encryption capabilities, making the data that transits through them vulnerable to interception. This risk factor heightens the potential for the compromise of business-sensitive data, such as login credentials or proprietary information.
Another issue lies in data logging. Proxies capture and store IP addresses alongside web request data, some of which might not be encrypted data. Depending on the server’s management, this logged data could potentially be sold to external parties, thereby threatening corporate data privacy, and potentially leading to data breaches.
Moreover, proxy servers generally operate on open ports, increasing potential attack vectors that malicious actors can exploit due to security vulnerabilities. This operational model amplifies the overall cyberthreat landscape for an enterprise.
Additionally, proxies offer limited privacy. While capable of anonymizing an IP address, their protective measures often do not extend beyond web requests. Given that many free proxies function on unsecured networks and use ad-based revenue models, the possibility of ads laden with viruses or malware penetrating corporate networks is a significant concern.
Performance inconsistency is another drawback. Free proxies in particular may lack sufficient bandwidth to support numerous simultaneous users without compromising on speed and performance, which could significantly impact business operations.
Finally, proxy servers have limited functionality because they typically function on an app-by-app basis. This configuration necessitates individual proxy settings for each application, in stark contrast to more comprehensive alternatives that can protect an entire network.
What does a proxy server do?
Proxy servers perform crucial tasks in managing web traffic within the digital space. These servers engage with unique Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of devices, mediating the flow of requests and responses between users and the web. Instead of allowing a device to connect directly to a web server via an internet service provider (ISP), the proxy server intercepts the request, forwards it using its own IP, and then screens any returning data for potential security threats before sending it to the user. This way, proxy servers maintain user privacy, boost network performance, and enhance control over web interactions, while also enabling strategies for location-based web browsing.
Who is suitable to use a proxy server?
Proxy servers can be used for several reasons. Organizations or individuals that need the following functionality should consider setting up a proxy server.
Content filtering and network security are possible with a proxy server.
A proxy server can be used to bypass censorship and content filtering.
Reverse proxies are useful for handling fluctuating website traffic.
Conclusion
There are many uses for proxy servers. Nowadays, proxy servers have become a common tool. They act as intermediaries between users and the Internet, helping everyone send various requests and achieve various accesses. Users who want to know more about proxy servers can learn more about them.
