What is a Proxy?
Proxy is basically a purposeful computer which serves as an intermediary hub between the endpoint device, like a computer or laptop, and the server which is being used to request a service from the user. All the internet requests gets processed through proxy servers. By letting the user to connect via one of these servers, the host computer can send the user requests to proxy server which in turn processes the request and finally returns the required result to the user which he wanted. So, in this manner proxy is actually serving as an intermediate between the user machine and all the remaining computers over the internet. These servers are generally located at user’s own system, or between destination servers on the internet and user’s system.
Proxy server remains invisible to the user. All requests sent over internet and their returned responses to the user appears to be associated with addressed Internet server. A proxy can exist as a firewall server on the same machine or it can be configured on an entirely different server, which in turn can forward the requests via firewall.
Types of Proxies
Forward proxies
They are used to send request from client to web server. Users can access forward proxies either by doing changes in their internet configuration settings or by accessing a web proxy address directly. Though they increase privacy and security from a user perspective by circumventing firewalls they can sometimes be used for accessing illegitimate matter such as child porn or copyrighted matter.
Reverse proxies
They send all requests from user to destination servers transparently without requiring any intervention from the requestor/user. Reverse proxies are used for many purposes such as:
- Provide indirect access to a resource when direct access is prohibited due to security issues.
- Provide streamlined content to its users.
- Provide load balancing between servers.
- Prohibit access to any particular site, for example when a government or ISP wants to block a site from security perspective.
- Prohibits access to illegitimate and illegal content.
- Prohibits users to access sites where they are allowed to disclose any information regarding government actions and policies. But this can also violate the right of free speech.
Transparent proxies
They can be located near the exit of a corporate network. These proxies are used to monitor and centralize the network traffic. In corporate networks, a proxy server acts as a gateway server which separates the main network from external networks. It also uses a firewall from external intrusion and scans data for security reasons.
Anonymous proxies
They are used to hide the IP address of the client enabling them to access blocked or prohibited IP addresses. They help in enhancing privacy and security breaches.
Highly anonymous proxies
They use non-proxy public IP address in order to hide the IP address of the client who uses them. They also provide access to sites which may prohibit proxy servers. Examples of highly anonymous proxies are I2P and TOR.
Socks 4 and 5 proxies
They are used for providing proxy service for operations related to DNS look up and UDP data apart from monitoring Web traffic. Some of the proxy servers provide services of both Socks protocols.
DNS proxies
They are used to forward the DNS (Domain Name Service) requests from the Local Area Network(s) to the Internet DNS server(s).
Most Common Uses for a Proxy
Sharing Internet connections on a LAN, hiding IP address, implementing Internet access control, accessing blocked websites are some uses of proxies. Some common uses are listed below:
Data Scrubbing
It is the process of deleting sensitive information such as credit card details and PIN numbers from web application responses. Therefore, it is used to protect and scan the outbound content such as protecting data leakage.
URL Rewriting:
It is used to redirect web requests to new resources if the requested resources have been renamed or migrated to the latest version.
Content Filtering:
It is used for implementing Internet access control such as authenticating the Internet connection, controlling the bandwidth, controlling the time spent on internet, filtering the Internet content using different categories such as violence, porn, games etc. As some Organization policies allow or reject requests based on content type or specific keywords so proxies are used to bypass the restrictions imposed on some websites in particular regions. For example, some organizations have blocked sites like Facebook but it can be easily accessed via proxy server.
Load Balancing
It is used for the distribution of requests for resources among all the available servers in order to increase the availability and scalability of the networks.
Faster Internet surfing Speed
By using proxy server, all requests from client computers will reach the server first. If the proxy server has already cached the required resources for completing the user request in its local hard drive then client would get direct access from the proxy server itself and web cache functionality wouldn’t be needed. Thus it will enhance the Internet surfing speed than it used to be before.
Sharing Internet Connection
Small businesses as well as family members having only one internet connection can share the same internet connection on multiple computers by using proxy servers.
Application Firewall
It helps in preventing security breaches by monitoring web applications for malicious and illegal content. Data scrubbing and redirection are some of its uses. Thus, a proxy server will be serving as an intermediary between a user’s computer and the Internet in order to prevent any malware attacks and security breaches. It also helps the user in hiding the client computer’s IP address and keeps the identity anonymous for security reasons.
Risks of Using a Proxy
Though there are multiple benefits associated with using proxy servers, but at the same time it also has many potential risks. Some of them are listed below:
Security Hack
While using email or bank account using a proxy, a third party server comes into picture which may not always be reliable. Also, the data received and sent by your device may not always be encrypted. If the proxy you are using is unreliable then it can record sensitive information like username and password leading to online security breach.
Spam and Virus Attacks
Often after connecting to a session using a proxy server you are more prone to get loaded with ad links and banners than otherwise. This is because the proxy server providers sponsor a lot of ad links in your connected session in order to generate revenue from advertisements. Also providers of the proxy can add spams and viruses causing fatal damage to your machine.
Identity Theft
Though a proxy server uses its own IP address while surfing internet but your own address can be risked to a potential web abuse as you have surrendered your own host name to unknown third party proxy servers. For example, someone may use your proxy identity for carrying malicious and illegal activities without your concern. Also, your IP’s can be sold to marketers by the proxy providers without your concern which can lead to severe identity breaches and security threats.
Broken Internet:
Sometimes thousands of users are accessing a single server at the same time to connect their session using proxy server. So, proxy servers may not always provide you with intended speed and online security. As the traffic from multiple workstations has to be catered hence proxy servers require large bandwidth for its operation. However, money, time and a lot of labor is required to gain this extensive bandwidth. Security updates have to be installed and server pressure needs to be eased out. Therefore, browsing web using a proxy can sometimes be a neck breaking experience as it will be slow and almost insecure and unreliable.
Differences Between a Proxy and a VPN
Hiding a user’s identity and Spoofing with geographical locations as per your needs are the main functions of proxy and VPN servers. But there is considerable difference between them in terms of the processes involved and have different consequences.
A proxy server acts as a middleman in internet traffic flow, hiding your actual IP address. For example, if you are physically present in India and want to access a site which is restricted to the people physically present in UK, then it can be accessed by using a proxy connection located in UK by concealing your identity.
Basically proxies are perfect for low risk activities such as region based blocked videos and bypassing restricted services whereas VPNs are used to encrypt the transmitted data over internet so that it remains secure and the connection is so secure that it cannot be hijacked by anyone.
Another difference between them is that VPNs work at OS level and connection is made for entire network connection of the configured system being used. It simply means while proxy works for a single application such as Torrent client or web browser, VPNs work for entire traffic load covering every single application from your web browser to apps running in the background like Windows updates.
Other difference lies in the cost involved. VPNs use encryption protocols which increases the processing power and bandwidth whereas proxy servers utilize no bandwidth cost and limited latency as they simply pass the information.
Proxy servers use either HTTP or SOCKS protocol to communicate. Proxies don’t dedicate their resources to encrypt complete traffic load, hence can receive multiple connections simultaneously. VPNs on the other hand create an encrypted path between computer and host server, data sent and received through host server.
In short, for trivial tasks such as sneaking into another country just for watching a video proxies are the best option while for serious tasks such as protection from snooping usage of VPNs are more suitable.
Pros and Cons of using a Proxy instead of a VPN
Pros
Pros of using a Proxy instead of a VPN are listed below:
- Speed of proxy server is fairly high when compared to VPN servers as they don’t have to encrypt the internet traffic passing through them. VPNs compromise the speed parameter due to traffic encryption passing through them to make the connection more secure.
- Since VPNs decrypt all your internet activities at the server side, so all your internet activity is known to the VPN provider. If they maintain the data by keeping logs about your internet activity, your activities remains no more private whereas proxies do not maintain any logs about your internet activities.
- Costs associated with VPNs are higher compared to that of a proxy server. You will find many free of cost public proxy servers available on the internet and most of them are very reliable and secure.
Cons
Cons of using a Proxy instead of a VPN are listed below:
- Accessing servers through VPN is much more secure due to its high level of encryption whereas if proxies are used, only one or may be two ports are protected for internet browsing.
- VPNs conceal your original geographical location making it appear as that of the host server whereas in case of proxies neither your IP address nor your location are hidden from the advanced and latest detection techniques.
- Proxy server compromises on security and privacy issues as your browsing activities are not encrypted in any manner and malicious/illegitimate proxy servers can monitor and controls your activities on the internet whereas a connection through VPN is completely encrypted and makes it impossible for any mediator to view your activities in any manner whatsoever.