What is a proxy server?

A proxy server is a system or router that provides a gateway between users and the internet. It retrieves data from an Internet source, such as a webpage, on behalf of a user. Proxy servers provide different levels of functionality such as security and privacy.

How Does a Proxy Server Work

Proxies are simple middlemen that sit between you and the resource you’re trying to access. When a request is made through a proxy, the proxy makes the request and returns the result for you. Proxy servers do much more than forwarding web requests, they generally improve data security and network performance. Proxy servers act as a firewall and web filter, provide shared network connections, and cache data to speed up common requests. A good proxy server keeps users and the internal network protected.

A typical proxy server

Most proxy server configuration works as follows:

1. A client (user) enters a website’s URL into the browser.
2. The proxy server receives the user’s request.
3. The proxy server the forwards the request to the web server.
4. The web server sends the response to the proxy server.
5. Finally, the proxy server forwards the response to the client (user).

Types of Proxy Servers

There are several types of proxy servers each used in a different way. It’s important to understand what functionality your’e getting from the proxy server you choose. Below is a list of some different types of proxy servers and their explanations.

1. Forward Proxy Server: A forward proxy popularly know as a “proxy” sits in front of clients and is used to get data to users within an internal network. Forward proxies are configured to “allow” or “deny” the client’s (user’s) request to pass through the firewall to access content on the internet.
2. Reverse Proxy Server: A reverse proxy server is a type of proxy server that passes the request from the internet through to users in an internal network through a firewall. It works by intercepting requests from the user at the network edge of the web server. Reverse proxies are a strong option for popular websites that need to balance the load of many incoming requests. They can help an organization reduce bandwidth load because they act like another web server managing incoming requests.
3. HTTP Proxy Server: The HTTP proxy makes use of the HTTP Protoclo and is not configured by the user. HTTP proxies allow users to browse the web with a different IP address but do not offer any additional privacy or security. They don’t encrypt data being transferred. If you’re looking into protecting your privacy or avoid censorship, a transparent proxy is probably not the right choice for you
4. HTTPS Proxy Server: The HTTPS Proxy Server is also know as (SSL Proxy) it provides decryption between the client and the server. As the data is encrypted in both directions, the proxy hides its existence from both the client and the server. HTTPS proxies encrypt all web traffic using the HTTPS protocol. HTTPS websites are already encrypted through SSL certificates, offering users private and secure connections.
5. SMTP Proxy Server: The SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) proxy stands as a middleman for the mail transfer through the SMTP protocol. It’s basic functionality is to ‘allow’ or ‘deny’ incoming and outgoing emails based on several factors.

Benefits of Using a Proxy Server.

1. Anonymous Browsing: Since proxies sit between company networks and internet servers, the internet is unable to know the sever of the IP that generated the request.
2. Security: Proxy servers function like a firewall between users’ systems and the internet.Without the use of proxies, hackers can obtain users’ IP addresses and exploit them to access users’ network. Proxies such as the SSL Proxy can be configured to provide secure connections through encryption. The SMTP proxy can block malicious emails and prevent phishing attacks.
3. Faster Speed: Proxy servers can speed up data transfer and conserve bandwidth by caching popular websites. More frequently visited sites can be cached by the proxy, thereby eliminating the need for the proxy to send a request to the internet servers whenever a request is made for those pages. Reverse proxy servers are often used for load balancing, which spreads user requests evenly across servers to improve speeds.
4. Bypassing Restrictions: Users can get around access restrictions with the help of proxy servers, which is helpful for ethical hacking as well as digital forensics investigations. Also, Some websites only allow access to IPs from a certain location. This can be a problem when a business needs to access a geo-restricted website, but when a company uses a proxy server, the IP is masked and employees can access the content they need.
5. Control Internet Usage: Businesses and parents use proxy servers to monitor and manage their children’s or employees’ internet use. A proxy server can be used to block certain social media sites so their employees aren’t distracted from their work.

Proxy Servers vs VPNs

Virtual Private Networks (VPN) are an implementation of a proxy server. However, a proxy server doesn’t encrypt the network traffic. A VPN, on the other hand, goes an extra mile and encrypts network traffic and adds another layer of safety. Moreover, VPNs doesn’t cache data to speed up internet access, whereas a proxy can improve the speed of access with its caching capabilities.

Generally, VPNs are more secure than proxy servers due to the way they operate. VPNs create an encrypted tunnel between a user’s device and the outside network. This allows users to browse the web without sharing their IP address.

Takeaway

Proxy servers are now a staple for internal security. Not only are proxies used by individuals looking to ensure online privacy, but they are also beneficial for enterprise users.

A proxy server is a middleman between end users and the internet which offers benefits such as.

• Anonymous browsing
• Security
• Faster speed
• Bypassing restrictions
• Control internet usage