A proxy server is a hardware (computer) or software that intercepts all internet traffic traversing to and from a web client (browser) and a web server. More specifically, it acts as an intermediary that routes all outgoing requests from a web client through itself before directing it to the target server. At the same time, it is usually the first recipient of the responses from the server, at which point it sends them to the browser.
In this intermediate role, proxies also mask the IP addresses attached to the proxies. The proxy server assigns a new address in place of the concealed IP. This way, this intermediary promotes online privacy by hiding information that can be used to create an online persona of the user. Proxies can be configured to serve either the client (forward proxies) or the server (reverse proxies). In this article, we’ll focus on two types of forward proxies, namely residential proxies and datacenter proxies. More on this later; firstly, let’s discuss the benefits of proxies.
Benefits of Proxy Servers
Both forward and reverse proxies are useful in many ways, as they offer numerous benefits thanks to their underlying functionalities. These benefits include:
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Bypassing geo-restrictions
Forward proxies mask the real IP address and assign a different IP. If this IP is sourced from a different country, the proxy will allow you to access websites as though you are a resident of that country. This enables you to bypass geo-restrictions or access content you would otherwise not have been able to view.
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Online Anonymity
Proxies promote online anonymity by masking your real IP address. As a result, they help prevent IP blocks and CAPTCHA codes, facilitating processes such as web scraping. Successful web data extraction due to the use of proxies facilitates:
- Market research, i.e., competitor monitoring
- Price and product monitoring
- Review monitoring
- Travel fare aggregation
- Job aggregation
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Enhanced cybersecurity
Some proxies, such as datacenter proxies (described below) and HTTP client proxies, scan emails and incoming responses for viruses and malware.
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Protection against server crashes
Reverse proxies and HTTP server proxies share incoming requests among various proxy servers in a process known as load balancing. This way, they avoid a scenario where the central web server is overwhelmed by requests.
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Reduced bandwidth usage
Reverse proxies and HTTP server proxies store frequently accessed files. They then supply the files upon receiving HTTP or HTTPS requests, freeing up bandwidth and server resources for other less common tasks.
Types of Proxies
Recalling There are two main types of proxies, namely:
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Residential Proxies
A residential proxy is an intermediary that assigns residential IP addresses, which are affiliated with internet service providers (ISPs). Thus, whenever you connect to the internet via this proxy type, your internet traffic is routed through real users’ computers – consenting customers of the ISP in the country you have chosen. The affiliation with real users makes residential proxies harder to flag or block.
There are two types of residential proxies, namely static residential proxies and rotating residential proxies. A static residential proxy does not change the assigned IP address but maintains it throughout the session. On the other hand, a rotating residential proxy changes the assigned IP address periodically. The proxy rotation feature maximizes proxy performance by reducing the chances of IP blocks. More specifically, it limits the number of requests that can be sent using the same IP address. This way, it avoids a situation where a web server can detect unusual traffic from a given network, an issue that is common with static residential proxies. To check out some of the most quality proxies, visit Oxylabs.
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Datacenter Proxies
A datacenter proxy is an intermediary that routes requests and server responses through powerful datacenter computers. In the process, it assigns datacenter IP addresses that are associated with the data center. Unlike residential proxies, which are linked to real users and are identified as such, datacenter proxies are linked to data centers. Therefore, they do not have an affiliation with real users, a characteristic that makes them susceptible to IP blocks.
There are two types of datacenter proxies: static datacenter proxies and rotating datacenter proxies. The former type maintains the same IP address throughout a browsing session, while the latter periodically changes the assigned IP address. The use of proxy rotation boosts success by preventing IP blocks.
Proxy Rotation and Its Benefits
As stated, rotating proxies change the assigned IP address throughout a particular session. This way, they avoid IP blocking. Rotating proxies are preferred to those that do not change the IP address, i.e., static residential proxies and static datacenter proxies. They are primarily used for large-scale web scraping as they facilitate uninterrupted data collection.
Conclusion
Proxy servers offer numerous benefits, namely better online privacy and anonymity, enhanced cybersecurity, access to geo-blocked content, and more. However, in some cases, there is a need to improve their performance. And rotating proxies, which regularly change the assigned IP address, are preferred. Specifically, rotating proxies prevent IP blocks by keeping to a minimum the number of requests originating from a given IP.
