There are many types of proxy servers. Do you want to know which type of proxy server is suitable for you? This article introduces various proxy servers in detail. Let’s take a look.
What is a proxy server?
A proxy server is an application that sits between your device and the internet, acting as an intermediary between the user’s request for content and the server that provides the content they search for. It helps you hide your real IP address and maintain anonymity and privacy.
A proxy server is essentially a computer on the internet with a separate IP address. Instead of connecting directly to the target website, the user sends the request to the proxy server, which evaluates the request and completes it.
A proxy server can simplify or manage complex requests and provide additional security, privacy, and structured packaging. Proxy servers can access content in restricted areas by routing different IP addresses to make it look like users from different regions.
Different types of proxy servers
1. Types of proxies based on IP origin
A proxy server assigns a new IP address to the user. These IP addresses can come from different sources, and this distinction determines the type of proxy based on IP origin. Here are the most common types of proxy servers based on origin:
Residential proxies are a type of proxy network that uses real IP addresses from physical devices around the world. These IPs are provided by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and are obtained when physical devices of real residential users share their Wi-Fi or cellular connections.
Residential proxy servers are ideal for activities that require low risk of detection, such as e-commerce data scraping, AI training, price tracking, SERP monitoring, etc.
Datacenter proxies
Datacenter proxies are obtained from data centers instead of ISPs. They can also be provided by cloud services. These proxies can help you stay anonymous and are often used for operations such as web scraping, ad verification, and bypassing geo-restrictions. They are usually cheaper and faster than other types of proxies.
However, it is easier for websites to detect and block them because this type of proxy server does not come from a legitimate Internet Service Provider (ISP), that is, they do not come from real users using web browsers and real devices. Therefore, the session and its IP can be easily marked and identified.
ISP proxies combine the advantages of residential and datacenter proxies. They come from an Internet Service Provider (ISP) but are hosted in a datacenter, making them look like residential IPs, allowing for better anonymity, while providing the high speeds of datacenter proxies.
These proxies are generally more cost-effective and suitable for handling large numbers of concurrent connections on sites with low to moderate blocking mechanisms. They are ideal for high-traffic tasks such as large-scale web scraping and ad verification.
Mobile Proxies
These proxies use IP addresses assigned to mobile devices by cellular networks (3G, 4G, 5G), making them highly anonymous and effective for mobile-specific applications.
These proxies are popular for tasks such as mobile app testing, mobile ad verification, and mobile gaming. By emulating real user behavior, they provide access to mobile-specific content and are favored by social media users.
2. Types of proxies based on service
Proxies are also categorized based on the number of users sharing the same IP. An IP address can be used by one person or shared by multiple users. There are various proxy providers on the market that offer different levels of service, some of which are free while others require payment.
Public proxies
Public proxies are free proxy servers that can be accessed by any Internet user. They are cheaper than dedicated proxies, but slower because their resources are shared by multiple users at the same time.
Due to this shared nature, public proxies are often unreliable and slow. They offer minimal privacy protection and present serious security risks, failing to provide true online security.
Private proxies
Private proxies, also known as dedicated proxies, are more reliable, faster, and more secure than free public proxies. These proxies are assigned to a single user, ensuring optimal performance, privacy, and control.
They are ideal for sensitive tasks that require secure transactions. Companies that offer private proxies offer additional features, services, and customer support. Private proxies have full control and provide the best online performance and privacy protection, so the higher price is justified.
Shared proxies
Shared proxies are an affordable option that are suitable for sharing by a limited number of users. They offer higher reliability and security than public proxies.
While shared proxies are not free, they are regularly updated and monitored for uptime and performance, making them a reliable and affordable option for users who need a reliable proxy service. Therefore, if you do not need higher anonymity and speed, shared proxy servers are your best choice.
3. Types of proxies based on anonymity
The main reason people use proxy servers is for anonymity! Not all proxy servers offer the same level of anonymity. Proxies can be categorized based on how they handle requests and the anonymity they offer. Here are the three main types of proxies based on anonymity:
Transparent proxies (level 3)
Transparent proxies do not hide the user’s real IP address and do not provide anonymity. They advertise themselves as proxy servers by displaying their IP in the Via header and passing the original IP address in the X-Forwarded-For header.
These proxies do not modify request headers and are therefore easily detected by the target server. Transparent proxies are primarily used for caching, content filtering, and faster website retrieval.
Anonymous proxies (level 2)
Anonymous proxies hide your IP address but will show that you are using a proxy.
They offer a certain level of anonymity and are suitable for regular web browsing. Anonymous proxies offer a moderate level of privacy.
Elite proxies (level 1)
Elite proxies offer the highest level of anonymity, hiding your IP address and the fact that you are using a proxy.
They are ideal for accessing restricted content and performing activities that require a high degree of privacy. High anonymity proxies ensure that the target server cannot detect the use of the proxy.
4. Rotation-based proxy types
Some proxies have rotating IP addresses, while others have IP addresses that remain the same. So, they can be either rotating or static, here is some information about each type:
Static proxies keep the same IP address, making them look like real users. They are suitable for tasks that require a consistent online identity, such as social media management.
Depending on the provider, they can be shared or dedicated, with dedicated proxies offering better privacy and performance.
Rotating proxy servers are the type of proxies that change their IP addresses periodically or after every request.
They are ideal for web scraping and other activities that require frequent changes in IP addresses. Rotating residential proxies can provide additional security and help avoid detection.
5. Proxy Types Based on Protocols
Proxy servers can use a variety of Internet protocols to receive and forward client connection requests. The following are the main proxy types based on the protocols they support.
HTTP Proxy
HTTP proxies handle HTTP requests and are used for web browsing, caching, and content filtering.
They support the HTTP protocol, which is widely used for web traffic. HTTP proxies can also be used as forward proxy servers to direct client requests to web servers.
HTTPS Proxy
HTTPS proxies (also known as SSL proxies) handle encrypted HTTPS traffic.
They provide additional security features for protecting web browsing and sensitive data. The SSL protocol ensures encryption of data transmission between the proxy user and the web server.
SOCKS Proxy
SOCKS (Socket Security) proxies operate at a lower level than HTTP proxies and can handle various types of network traffic.
They are versatile and can be used for activities such as torrenting, gaming, and accessing restricted networks.
SOCKS5 Proxy
SOCKS5 proxies are an advanced version of SOCKS proxy servers that support both TCP and UDP connections.
These proxies are powerful, flexible, and extremely fast, making them ideal for bypassing geo-restrictions, making live calls, and streaming.
Why use a proxy server?
Proxy servers can be used for a variety of purposes, from accessing blocked content to improving connection security. Here are some common reasons to use a proxy server:
1. Access websites and their data
Everyone’s web experience is different. Proxy servers allow you to bypass geographic restrictions and IP blocks by routing your traffic to other locations. This is especially useful for businesses that conduct market research, price monitoring, or collect public data through web scraping.
2. Security
Proxy servers provide an extra layer of security between you and the web server, helping to prevent direct attacks.
3. Privacy
Proxy servers help hide your real IP address, making it difficult for websites, advertisers, and cybercriminals to find your real IP, making it more difficult to track your online activities.
4. Control Internet Use
Proxies are often used in corporate networks and educational institutions to manage and monitor Internet traffic, enforce content blocking, and filter malware.
5. Performance Optimization
A caching proxy caches websites or content that you frequently visit, which can reduce loading times and save bandwidth when you visit the site again. This benefits large businesses and content delivery networks (CDNs) that need to deliver data quickly and efficiently.
Proxy Server Use Cases
1. Data Collection
The rapid development of the Internet has promoted the application of big data, and data collection has become a hot industry. But with the popularity of web crawlers, website owners will take corresponding measures to limit data crawling.
2. Price Monitoring
Price tracking and price monitoring can help you effectively capture the daily changing market price range and consumer purchase preferences for prices.
3. Market Research
Market research is an important part of business strategy. Only by truly understanding the market can we formulate targeted marketing strategies and business development strategies to better help brands. Especially for companies doing business globally, the accuracy and timeliness of data are crucial.
4. Snap up goods
Since merchants’ sales are usually regional and there are many buyers, the chance of successful purchases through conventional means is very low. In order to increase the success rate, you usually need to open multiple accounts on the robot to make purchases. But merchants usually do not allow this behavior and will block suspicious accounts.
5. Brand Protection
In order to maintain brand reputation and reduce customer churn, enterprises/brand merchants need to log in to major platforms and regional websites to promptly clean up counterfeit and shoddy products or clearly distinguish them from counterfeit goods.
6.SEO Optimization
Socks5 proxies are great for traffic-intensive work, such as web crawlers and SEO campaigns. With proxies, you can turn on web crawler software to automatically explore websites. With local proxies, you can perform website audits, research competitors, crawl SEO data, or view search engine rankings in any country.
7.Social Media
Social media is a popular channel that can help companies enhance their brand image. However, social media sites often have access restrictions, which affects companies from promoting their business, products, events, etc. through social media. Using proxies makes it easy to circumvent these restrictions, create multiple accounts, and use different tools to add real value to your social media image.
8.Ad Verification
With the frequent occurrence of click ads around the world, ad verification is essential to ensure that your ads can reach real audiences as expected.
How to Choose the Best Type of Web Scraping Proxy?
When choosing a proxy for web scraping, there are some key factors to consider if you want to ensure efficient and reliable scraping. These factors include:
1. Proxy Type: There are a variety of different proxies on the market, and each type has a business that suits your use case and budget.
2. IP Rotation: IP rotation is crucial in the web scraping process if you want to avoid IP bans and rate limits. IP rotation allows you to switch to a new address with each request, making it difficult for anti-bot systems to keep up.
3. Proxy Pool Size: Proxy providers with a large proxy pool are able to provide you with more types of proxies and can also meet your usage needs in different regions, thereby reducing the possibility of being detected or blocked.
4. Geographic Distribution: Some websites restrict access to specific geographic locations. You need to choose a proxy provider that can provide proxies in different locations, including your target location.
5. Proxy Quality and Reliability: The quality and reliability of the proxy is crucial. Choose a reputable proxy provider who will provide high-quality proxy services. Unreliable proxies may cause frequent interruptions or delays, which seriously affects the user experience.
6. Proxy Authentication: It is preferred to use a proxy that supports authentication methods, as some websites require users to authenticate before accessing them. Authentication methods such as captcha, username, and password are often used to verify the identity of the user.
7. Speed and Performance: Web scraping can be time-consuming, especially when dealing with large amounts of data. Using a fast proxy can increase scraping speed. Check if your proxy provider guarantees good speeds, and check user reviews to see if speed is an issue.
8. Cost: Prices vary from proxy to proxy. It is preferred to choose a proxy provider that fits your budget.
9. Customer Support: It is important to choose a proxy provider with reliable customer support so that you can easily and quickly get help and responses when there are problems with your proxy.
Conclusion
If you are still not sure which proxy server is more suitable for you, don’t miss this article. Here are detailed descriptions of different proxy servers, which can help you understand the types of proxy servers more intuitively. Interested users can come and learn about it.
