A proxy server is an intermediary, filter or gateway between the user and the web pages that he visits on the Internet. A proxy helps prevent cyber intruders from entering a private network.
When a computer connects to the Internet, it is assigned a specific IP address. It allows you to correctly direct the flow of incoming and outgoing data. A proxy server, in fact, is also a computer on the Internet that has its own IP address, through which the necessary data is redirected.
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Proxy servers and network security
A proxy provides a serious level of security. It can be configured as a web filter or firewall to protect your computer from malware and other Internet threats.
When paired with a Secure Web Gateway (SWG) or email security products, a proxy is especially beneficial. Thus, traffic can be filtered according to the desired level of security or network bandwidth.
How to use a proxy? Some people use proxies for personal purposes, such as hiding their location from the site. However, for large companies, proxies can be used for a number of different tasks, such as:
- Improved security
— Protection of the Internet activity of employees from surveillance
— Balance of Internet traffic to offload the network and prevent failures
— Control of access of employees to certain sites
- Save bandwidth by caching files or compressing incoming traffic
How does a proxy work?
Because the proxy server has its own IP address, it acts as an intermediary between your computer and the Internet. Any request on the Internet from a specific device within the network is first directed to a proxy server. That, in turn, sends the data to the web server, receives a response and sends the data back to this device.
How to connect a proxy to your network?
There are hardware and software solutions. Hardware rooms are designed as separate equipment that is installed between a specific network and the Internet. Software proxies are usually hosted by an ISP or hosted in the cloud. You only need to download and install on your computer the application required to interact with the proxy.
Software proxies most often work on a subscription basis. And free ones, as a rule, offer users significantly fewer opportunities, diluting the available functionality with advertising. However, even free solutions may be enough for a small network. But if you need high speed or the number of devices on the network exceeds the limit of free services, you can’t do without a paid solution.
How to configure the server?
To start working with a proxy server, you need to configure it on a specific device within the network or on the entire network at once. In most cases, the installation takes place in semi-automatic mode and no additional settings are required. But if necessary, everything can be configured manually: IP addresses and ports can be registered independently.
How does a proxy server provide privacy and protect data?
The proxy server acts as a firewall and filter. The end user or network administrator can select the required proxy server scenario. A proxy filters incoming and outgoing traffic, and also hides the IP addresses of devices on the network from prying eyes. Potential attackers will only be able to see the proxy server's own IP address. This means that access to personal data and other files will be problematic for intruders.
Encrypted proxy servers can provide an additional layer of protection. So passwords and other personal data within the network will be protected as reliably as possible.
Benefits of a proxy server for business
Proxies have several advantages that can be useful for organizing large networks.
1. Increased security . A proxy can act as a firewall, effectively protecting devices within the network from intruders.
2. Complete privacy . A proxy server will help you avoid collecting data on employees' IP addresses and, as a result, block unwanted ads.
3. Change of location . When setting up a proxy server, you can select the country where it is located. Such a trick will help you get full access to all content that is unavailable for some reason. This is especially true for Russia.
4. Blocking unwanted sites . Through a proxy, it is possible to block access to websites that are contrary to the principles of the organization, or simply distract employees from important tasks. For example, to social networks.
Proxy types
All proxy servers provide users with a spoofed IP address. However, there are several different types of proxies, each with its own characteristics.
1. Direct proxy. This type of proxy is located between the Internet and the end user. It is best suited when a single point of entry is required for all devices on the network. A forward proxy secures the IP addresses of devices and also gives you direct administrative control.
2. Transparent proxy. This type of proxy is well suited for companies that want to use it discreetly so that employees do not know about it. In addition to being invisible, a transparent proxy provides a seamless user experience. However, this type of proxy is more susceptible to certain security threats such as SYN floods and DOS attacks.
3. Anonymous proxy. Aimed at making Internet activity untraceable. It hides the user's identity and computer information.
This type of proxy is best for users who want to be completely anonymous when accessing the Internet.
4. Proxies with increased anonymity. This type of proxy takes anonymity a step further, as users' personal information is erased before the proxy even tries to connect to the target site.
Such a proxy is best suited for users for whom anonymity is an absolute must. Some free proxies that offer an increased level of anonymity, on the contrary, are bait to gain access to users' personal information.
5. Distorting proxy. This type of proxy does not hide from websites that data is being redirected through the proxy. But additionally uses a spoofed IP address.
Distorting proxies are a good choice for those who want to hide their location when accessing the Internet. This type of proxy can give the appearance that the site is connected from a certain country, and gives the user the opportunity to hide both his identity and the data of the proxy server itself. That is, even if the location of the proxy server is known, the identity of the user is still protected. Some websites automatically block spoofing proxies, which may prevent the end user from accessing the desired sites.
6. Server proxies. Such proxies are not associated with an ISP, they are provided by a third party. Server proxies are located in physical data centers, all user requests are redirected through them.
Server proxies are a good choice for those who need high responsiveness for a small fee. On the other hand, this type of proxy does not provide the highest level of anonymity, which can jeopardize the privacy and data of users.
7. Residential proxy. A residential proxy is able to provide an IP address belonging to a specific physical device and redirect all traffic through it.
Residential proxies are well suited for users who need to verify the ads that are placed on their websites. At the same time, you can block cookies and unwanted ads from competitors or intruders. Residential proxies are distinguished by a high level of reliability, but they are more expensive than conventional solutions.
8. Public proxy. Such proxy servers work for free, but most often with ads. They similarly provide users with a spoofed IP address and hide their identity when visiting websites.
Public proxies are best suited for users who care not so much about security and speed of access as the absence of a monthly fee. It is freeness that imposes a speed limit on public proxies, because this causes an influx of users. And the more users simultaneously use the proxy, the greater the load and the lower the speed. Users of public proxy servers are also more at risk that their information will be available to other users on the Internet.
9. Shared proxy. This type of proxy involves the simultaneous use of a proxy server by several users at once. The main advantage of this solution is its low cost. Of the obvious disadvantages - low speed, especially if the "server neighbor" will give a large load on the channel. Also, if the aforementioned “neighbor” is banned on some Internet resource, you will also lose access to this resource, since the IP address is one for two.
10. SSL proxy. This proxy has a high level of security. Since the data is encrypted in both directions, the proxy hides its existence from both the client and the server.
This type of proxy is best suited for organizations that need enhanced protection against the threats that SSL detects and blocks. A nice bonus is the fact that using such a proxy for a website can raise it in search results. This is because Google prefers servers that use SSL. On the other hand, content encrypted through an SSL proxy cannot be cached. So, with an influx of visitors to the website, the access speed can noticeably drop.
11. Rotary proxy. The way this proxy works is to assign different IP addresses to each user who connects to the server. In this case, the IP addresses themselves can be repeated: the new device can be assigned the address of the device that recently disconnected from the server.
A rotary proxy is ideal for web scraping or scraping users. This type of proxy allows you to return to the desired site again and again with a new IP address. However, some rotary proxies work through public or shared servers, which may expose personal data.
12. Reverse proxy. Unlike a direct proxy server, a reverse one is located between the Internet and the web servers of the desired resource. It works by intercepting requests from the user before sending them to the web server. Responses are returned the same way.
Reverse proxies are a good option for popular websites that need to load balance incoming requests. This type of proxy can help reduce the load on the hardware. The downside is that reverse proxies can potentially expose the HTTP server architecture if an attacker can break into it. This means that network administrators will not be out of place to strengthen network security in other ways if a reverse proxy is used.
Proxy or VPN?
At first glance, proxy servers and virtual private networks (VPNs) may seem interchangeable. Both products redirect traffic through an external server. Both allow you to access blocked websites. However, a VPN still provides more reliable protection against hackers, because it encrypts all traffic in general, incoming and outgoing.
You can also use both technologies at the same time, this will greatly increase the level of security of network devices.
Summing up:
1. What is a proxy server? A proxy server is an intermediary, filter or gateway between the user and the web pages that he visits on the Internet. A proxy helps prevent cyber intruders from entering a private network.
2. How does a proxy server work? Because the proxy server has its own IP address, it acts as an intermediary between your computer and the Internet. The request from the computer is redirected through the proxy server, then returned back the same way.
3. Proxy or VPN? At first glance, a proxy server and a VPN perform the same functions. But in terms of security, VPN is the best option. By encrypting all incoming and outgoing traffic.
4. What are the benefits of a proxy server? The benefits of a proxy server include increased security, private browsing, access to blocked sites, and preventing unwanted/distracting sites from browsing.