A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet. Instead of connecting directly to a website, your traffic is routed through the proxy, which hides your real IP address and makes it look like you’re browsing from another location, allowing you to bypass geographic restrictions.
However, most proxy services don’t encrypt your internet traffic, meaning your data can still be visible to network providers, websites, or the proxy owner. Due to this, proxies cannot guarantee strong privacy or security by themselves. If you want more reliable protection, using a VPN is the better choice.
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, hides your IP address, and includes additional privacy features, including secure DNS servers. Based on our tests, NordVPN is the most secure VPN with DNS services, offering encryption and anti-tracking protection.
A proxy server acts as a middleman between your device and the internet. Instead of connecting directly to a website, your traffic is first routed through the proxy server. The server then sends your request to the website on your behalf. This masks your real IP address and makes it appear as though your connection is coming from another location.
This is how many people use proxies to bypass regional restrictions, access blocked websites, or get around workplace and school network restrictions. However, proxies vary a lot in how they work and the degree of privacy they provide, and they offer no encryption, which is why a reliable VPN is generally a better choice. In this guide, we explain what a proxy server is, how it works, the different types of proxies available, and how they compare to tools like VPNs for protecting your online privacy.
How does a proxy work?
With a proxy server, your web requests are first sent to the proxy server, which then forwards it to the destination website on your behalf. Without a proxy, the request travels from your device through your internet service provider (ISP) and to the website’s server. The server then sends the requested data back to your device along the same path.
When you use a proxy server, because the request appears to come from the proxy instead of your device, the website sees the proxy’s IP address instead of your own. This offers protection against tracking, as depicted in the image below:
There are even different kinds of proxies that each have their own special functions. There are webproxies, which work within your browser, but you could also install a proxy on your router, so all your data traffic automatically goes through the proxy.
Note
Most proxy servers won’t protect your data and privacy well enough for you to remain safe and anonymous online. Therefore, we’d advise you to consider a VPN connection. This ensures that your data is encrypted, while offering other features including leak protection and anti-malware tools. Based on internal testing, we recommend NordVPN as a proxy alternative.
Different kinds of proxies
There are different kinds of proxy servers. Proxies can also be divided into different groups based on their specific functions. Some of these different functions include:
- Caching web proxies
- Filtering proxies
- CGI proxies
- Reverse proxies
Aside from that, proxies can be categorized according to the level of privacy they offer. This results in the following classifications:
- Transparent proxies
- Anonymous proxies
- High anonymity proxies
Caching web proxy
Caching proxies are used quite frequently and keep a copy of websites you’ve visited. With a caching proxy, pages are delivered to users more quickly and in a more secure way. When someone requests to see a website through a caching proxy, the proxy will first search its local files (its cache). If the website has already been saved to the cache, the proxy sends this data directly to the user. If the proxy hasn’t saved the website yet, it’ll collect the information from the right server and send it back to the user. A copy of the website will then be saved for future use.
A proxy’s cache has a certain life span, after which it’s emptied. Deleting cache data usually happens based on how old said data is, its size, and the frequency with which it’s requested. Two simple cache algorithms are Least Recently Used (LRU) and Least Frequently Used (LFU).
Filtering proxy
Some web proxies are also able to filter the content of web pages. Some internet restrictions and certain types of online censorship, such as the state-controlled censorship in China, are implemented through web proxies. These proxies limit the parts of the internet that users can reach.
Other filtering web proxies might adjust pages to a certain goal or audience. This is what happens when you’re automatically sent on to the mobile version of a website while on your phone or tablet. Moreover, ISP’s use these proxies to shield their connection from computer viruses and other malicious content. In short: a filtering web proxy blocks certain content, and while this could limit your internet freedom, it can also increase your internet safety.
Reverse proxy
A reverse proxy works in the opposite way of a normal proxy server. Instead of protecting your data, this kind of proxy works to the advantage of the web server. A reverse proxy can be used as a firewall to protect the server’s online data. Access to certain specific pages can be granted or denied with the proxy, so clients from a bank won’t accidentally find themselves accidentally accessing a stranger’s online banking data for example. Reverse proxies are also often used to cache static pages, so the server doesn’t become overloaded as quickly.
CGI proxy
A special type of web proxy is a CGI proxy. This is an online proxy shaped like a website, with which a visitor can get instant access to a specific other page. These websites/proxies usually use PHP or CGI in order to function. CGI proxies can give access to websites that are blocked by schools, businesses, or even governments. Because they also hide the IP address of the user, they’re occasionally used to obtain a certain level of anonymity.
Transparent proxy
Aside from grouping proxies according to their function, you can also divide them based on how much they help you stay anonymous on the internet. A transparent proxy doesn’t hide the IP address of the user. They announce themselves to be proxy servers and even show websites the original IP address of the user. These proxies are usually caching proxies, which aren’t used to stay anonymous online.
Anonymous proxy
This kind of proxy identifies itself as a proxy server, but does not show the original IP address of the user. Anonymous proxies offer a certain amount of protection to their users. However, they aren’t as effective as VPNs at maintaining anonymity. For example, it isn’t possible to use an anonymous proxy while watching Netflix to access international content. Netflix will know you’re using a proxy and won’t grant you access to their platform.
High anonymity proxy
This type of proxy does not reveal that they’re a proxy server. It also doesn’t show the IP of the user. It’s completely invisible for websites, while a ‘normal’ anonymous proxy is detectable. A high anonymity proxy comes closest to a VPN when it comes to anonymity. However, it still misses the online safety and security that comes with a VPN.
Benefits of using a proxy server
Using a proxy server comes with several advantages. For example, proxies can influence your internet speed and online safety. Besides that, many proxies have other advantages: you can use one to blacklist websites or to circumvent other proxies and online blocks. Finally, some proxies hide your IP address. Read more about all of these benefits below.
Speed
Caching proxy servers keep a file of the websites you visit. This can significantly speed up your browsing: you don’t have to re-download pages that have already been accessed, which saves time. Moreover, it saves bandwidth while you’re surfing.
Safety
Proxy servers are also used to scan websites for malicious code. These dangerous parts of websites can then be blocked. In this way a proxy creates an extra layer of security between you and the harmful code on the website you’re visiting. Any chance of a virus or other digital infection becomes significantly smaller. However, a proxy server doesn’t protect you against all malware, as we’ll explain in more depth later on.
Pose restrictions
Proxy servers allow you to blacklist certain websites. This way, no one using the server is able to access those sites. For example, a school or company might use a proxy so students and employees can’t go on Facebook during school or work time. Besides posing restrictions, a proxy also allows you to look into the browser history of every computer connected to the proxy’s network. All traffic through the proxy server can be logged and analyzed by the people in control, such as your boss or ISP.
Hide your IP address
Many people don’t want websites and companies to track them online – and for good reason. It’s no one else’s business what you do online. Using a proxy helps you mask your online identity, because it hides your IP address (unless you use a transparent proxy). Other parties will only see the proxy’s IP. Cloaking your IP address means your online privacy is better protected: websites won’t be able to track your online behavior and make a profile on you. With a proxy, you’re giving away less information about yourself to websites and other parties. If you don’t want any personalized ads to show up in your browser, a proxy server can help you achieve this – up to a certain point.
Bypass another proxy
Finally, a proxy server can be used to bypass the restrictions of online blocking or even another proxy server. As mentioned earlier, a company or a government can block certain content on their proxy servers. By connecting to this website through your own proxy server, you can easily bypass those restrictions. Want to access a news website that has been blocked in your current location? Use a good proxy and you’re well on your way.
Even streaming services such as Hulu can occasionally be reached with a proxy. These websites often change and limit their available content depending on your geographical location. Try watching a video on BBC iPlayer when you aren’t in the UK. You’ll automatically get an error telling you that the service isn’t available to you. When you use a good anonymous British proxy server, however, you often will be able to watch these videos. For many services, however, using a proxy won’t be enough. A number of streaming platforms are actively trying to ward off proxies. That’s why Netflix almost always gives an error when you try to watch it through a proxy.
Cons of a proxy server
Unfortunately, proxies also have several disadvantages. These mostly have to do with the fact that a proxy is usually only half a solution: it doesn’t offer complete online anonymity or safety. We’ll explain this claim in more detail in the following sections.
No complete anonymity
Private users of proxy servers are typically concerned with keeping their browsing habits private and securing their personal information. However, a proxy server has the ability to log all information the user sends and receives. Your boss, for example, can easily see everything you do using the business network (which is often arranged via a proxy). Moreover, he or she can keep tabs on how much time employees spend on certain websites. So be warned: your boss knows exactly when you’ve been buying new shoes on Amazon when you should’ve been working.
In short, a proxy doesn’t protect your data traffic from all onlookers. In particular, free online proxies come with big risks: nine out of ten times, you have no idea who controls the proxy connection, so you can never be sure as to whether your data is actually safe. All your online traffic is sent right into the hands of a stranger. Do you wish to have full online privacy? Then a proxy is not the right choice. Proxy servers can’t protect you against doxing attacks as much.
No encryption
Similarly, a proxy server cannot guarantee your online safety. Usually, when you use a proxy, it isn’t possible to trace your data traffic back to you, which means you have a certain amount of anonymity. However, none of this data is encrypted. This means that websites can still see what you do online, even though they can’t connect that activity to your real IP address.
Your IP address could be leaked
A proxy isn’t a solid solution to online tracking. With some proxies, it’s relatively easy for just about anyone to find out what your actual IP address is. If that happens, you miss out on a lot of the advantages of a proxy. You’ll be a lot more vulnerable on the internet
Is a proxy server safe?
If you want to use a proxy server to stay anonymous while surfing the web, you’ll have to take into account a lot of different factors. In most cases, it’s much safer and much more practical to use a VPN server instead of a proxy.
Your proxy should be configured correctly
Only a well-configured proxy server will offer you a decent level of privacy. Configuring a server can be quite complicated and isn’t always up to you. The proxy’s owner has to be competent and use the proper knowledge when setting up the proxy. Only then will you know for sure your server has been configured the right way. Aside from that, the server has to be maintained properly. Many (free) proxy servers don’t enjoy this luxury. Without proper maintenance and configuration, chances are your IP address will be leaked, either purposefully or accidentally.
Who owns the proxy server?
Another important factor is the owner of the proxy. It’s vital that they have good intentions, as many (often free) proxy servers are owned by malicious parties that are after your personal data or want to make money through ads. Keeping a proxy server running is costly and most owners attempt to earn a bit of money by selling (private) user data, adding advertisements to web pages, or spreading malware and viruses through their servers.
Does the proxy allow for HTTPS?
Using a secure connection is extremely important. A proxy server does not encrypt your internet connection. Without extra protection, it’s quite easy for strangers, hackers, and governments to eavesdrop on the connection and steal your private data, such as your email address and login information. To prevent this, it helps to use the secure version of websites (the HTTPS version). A lot of proxies don’t allow the use of HTTPS and, therefore, take away an essential layer of online security. Do pay attention to the fact that websites with HTTPS aren’t always completely safe. HTTPS only means that the connection between you and the website has been established in a secure way. The website itself, however, could still be dangerous. You could, for example, find yourself on the HTTPS version of a phishing website.
Proxy or VPN
A proxy isn’t completely anonymous, nor is it 100% safe. That’s why it’s almost always better to use a VPN instead. In essence, a VPN redirects your data traffic in the same way a proxy does, but it also encrypts your data and offers additional security tools for online privacy. If you want the most secure protection for your online data, we recommend using NordVPN, which offers built-in DNS services.
Conclusion
A proxy server routes your internet traffic through an intermediary server, hiding your IP address and letting you bypass geographic restrictions. For these reasons, people often use proxies to access blocked content abroad or to get around tough internet traffic restrictions in businesses and educational institutions.
However, most proxy services provide only limited privacy protection. Unlike VPNs, many proxies do not encrypt your internet traffic. What’s more, some may log or monitor user activity. This means your data could still be visible to the proxy provider, websites, or anyone else monitoring the network.
If your goal is to have better online privacy and security, a reliable VPN like NordVPN is the better choice. VPNs encrypt your traffic, hide your IP address, and offer the best unblocking potential to circumvent international geo-blocks and network restrictions.
FAQ
A proxy server is a computer that serves as an intermediate between a user and the internet. A proxy redirects your internet connection via a secure server to hide your IP address from the destination website and change your location. This makes you more anonymous and allows you to access online content that isn’t normally available in your country.
However, it’s safer and more practical to use a VPN that also encrypts your connection and offers extra security tools to protect your device.
A proxy server offers several advantages:
- Possibly higher internet speed.
- Protection against malicious code.
- Possibility to blacklist websites.
- Hiding your IP address.
- Circumventing other proxies or online blocking.
Proxies have several disadvantages:
- They don’t offer complete anonymity or security.
- They don’t encrypt and protect your data.
- Your IP address can be tracked.
- Not all blocked pages can be accessed.
The big difference between a proxy and a VPN is that a VPN encrypts your data traffic for more security and privacy whereas a proxy does not.
A VPN usually offers multiple server locations in different countries, which gives you access to more online content. Most reliable, premium VPNs don’t log user information, while the owner of a proxy often keeps logs.
Who owns the proxy server? What disclosures about the ownership are available? Where is information about the proxy server located? After the detailed explanation above it's odd these questions go unanswered.
A reliable private proxy knows how to conduct efficient online activities. It is skillful in ensuring that identities are being hidden and the information being received is from a reliable source.