Proxy Server

What Is Proxy Server?

A proxy server is a transit point for network information, i.e., an intermediary agent between a personal network and an ISP. It is able to obtain and forward network information on behalf of the user, control and register the forwarding simultaneously.

How Does Proxy Work?

Generally, when a user navigates to a website to obtain info, a request signal will be sent to the server, and the receiver will respond by sending web data to the source of the signal so that the user can successfully access the site.

When using a proxy server, the request signal will be first sent to the proxy, which sends another request on behalf of the user. After the proxy server fetches the appropriate data, it transmits the info required by the user to the browser.

While forwarding, the proxy server can change the data you send, hide your IP address, and block access to certain web pages, or unblock geo-restrictions. Under their features, modern proxies take on more of a data security role - used as firewalls and filters to protect data from prying eyes and intrusion.

Uses of Proxy Servers

Hide Surfing Traces

A proxy server enhances web anonymity by altering a user's IP address and identifiable information, preventing the target server from discerning the user's true identity.

Control Internet Access

Parents or organizations can use proxy servers to control and log web access. For example, schools and companies can have proxy servers that deny access to any gaming-related websites and log all web requests from students and employees.

Unblock Network Restrictions

A proxy server is a two-way forwarding station. This also means that it can restrict access and, sure, unblock it. In real-world applications, users can unblock websites at school, and cross geo-limits to watch streaming, etc. by using a proxy server.

Caching and Acceleration

Proxy servers can reduce repeated access to the same information by caching the data, thus speeding up access and saving bandwidth.

Comment Types of Proxy

・Forward Proxy: Sits between a client and the wider internet, directing outgoing requests from the client to the server, controlling internet usage and access to external resources.

・Reverse Proxy: Sits in front of web servers, forwarding client requests to them for load balancing and caching to reduce server load and bandwidth.

・Anonymous Proxy: Designed to conceal a user's personal information from websites, not transmitting the user's IP address.

・Transparent Proxy: Reveals its presence to sites while still passing your IP address, commonly used by schools or companies for content filtering and easy deployment without kids' or employees' awareness.

・Distorting Proxy: Identifies itself as a proxy to websites but gives a false IP address, providing anonymity.