Our concern for our own security and anonymity on the network has multiplied the demand for the use of proxy servers. However, the user’s desire to remain anonymous on the network is not the only task that the proxy server performs. Let’s take a closer look at why you need a proxy server.
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What is a proxy server
A proxy server can and should be thought of as an intermediary on the network between a user and a web server that accepts HTTP (S) requests from you and forwards them on your behalf. By using a proxy server, communication between the local client and the web server can be secured, masked, and accelerated.
The proxy used acts as a representative of the user and accepts your requests, and then forwards them to their destination, but on their own behalf. Proxy servers can work as additional software installed on your computer or as software on a dedicated server.
You can look at an example of a proxy on a dedicated server on the website of the private proxy service provider proxy-seller.com. The provider offers high quality private proxy servers Socks5 / HTTPs with good connection speed.
Why do you need a proxy server
They solve three problems:
- Anonymity;
- Protection;
- Acceleration
Anonymity
When a connection is established between a user and a web server through a proxy, the addresses of the user (proxy client) and the server remain hidden from the communication partners. Unlike the mechanism of translation of network addresses (NAT), where IP addresses are simply translated, the proxy server processes the data itself, can analyze the transmitted packets and change them if necessary.
Proxy servers can simultaneously serve different protocols or specialize in one. For example, proxies HTTP (HTTPS) are used to control the interaction between users and Internet services (TCP protocol). SOCKS5 proxies are used to transfer requests over UDP protocol (video call, streaming site).
Protection
By using a proxy to communicate between two partners, you can filter traffic, block unwanted content, or reject suspicious requests.
Acceleration
If the proxy has a cache, it can itself respond to certain duplicate requests and thus speed up your search for the pages you want.
How does a proxy server work
The client’s web browser sends a request to access a specific site to the proxy server responsible for it. It accepts the request and, if necessary, checks if it is a legitimate request from the client. If the request is allowed, there are two options. The proxy sends a request from its cache (if provided). Or the proxy server (if the request is not in the cache or there is no cache) sends the request to the web server with its own IP address.
Upon receiving the request, the web server sends the requested content back to the proxy. The proxy checks the received data, stores it in its cache (if any) and sends it to the client. As a result, the client keeps his IP address anonymous.
Conclusions: why do you need a proxy server
Proxies do a lot of things. Through their role as an intermediary, they can control, filter, and temporarily store data. Thanks to this, internal networks, devices or services can be protected from external threats from the Internet.
Proxy caching allows you to quickly respond to recurring requests. Using them can save bandwidth and speed up response times.
Can filter data traffic, block inappropriate content, or reject suspicious requests.
Another feature is control of available bandwidth and load balancing. It can assign bandwidth to individual clients and make optimal use of resources. This prevents blocking of throughput and ensures an even load distribution.
Proxies are often used to anonymize connections and hide identity. Since the proxy connects between the source and destination of the connection, it prevents direct communication between the participants, they do not know each other’s addresses.
