Introducing Proxy
What is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server is an intermediate server between a computer and the Internet. It serves as a gateway between a client computer and websites. When making use of proxies, requests you send to websites pass through them before getting to the website, and as such, depending on their use, they might modify the data bundle with the request or not. They act as a firewall, help you access restricted data, or even restrict you from accessing certain information. They have a lot of applications.
How a Proxy Work?
The working principle of a proxy is simple if you aren’t going deep into the technicalities involved. As I stated in the definition, a proxy is a server that acts as a gateway between you and the Internet. Why do we need them in the first place? While there are many reasons, the major ones can be summed up to data security.
When you are not using a proxy, requests you send to websites go to the websites directly. However, when you are making use of a proxy, the situation is different. When you send a request, it goes to the proxy server first which then modifies it (if it has to like substituting your real IP Address with another) then sends the request to the website on your behave. The response will be sent to the proxy and in turn, it sends the response back to you.
With this setup and the mode of operation of proxies, your computer can be completely shielded and hidden from the website you are accessing since your computer is not the one sending the request to it.
Proxies allow you to access the Internet from locations you have not visited before and access their local data. While it has many benefits, make no mistake about it – it also has its own shortcomings. Since proxy servers can access the information sent through them, they can, in turn, alter the data and in some cases, become the mode in which Internet censorship is achieved.
IPv4
Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) is the fourth version of the Internet Protocol (IP). It is one of the core protocols of standards-based internetworking methods in the Internet and other packet-switched networks. IPv4 was the first version deployed for production on SATNET in 1982 and on the ARPANET in January 1983. It still routes most Internet traffic today,despite the ongoing deployment of a successor protocol, IPv6.
IPv4 uses a 32-bit address space which provides 4,294,967,296 (232) unique addresses, but large blocks are reserved for special networking methods.
IPv6
Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) is the latest version of the Internet Protocol, used as the Internet protocol. It is used to replace IPv4 mainly to solve the problem of IPv4 address exhaustion, and it also has many improvements to IPv4 in other aspects.
The design purpose of IPv6 is to replace IPv4, but IPv4 still occupies a dominant position in Internet traffic for a long time, and the use of IPv6 grows slowly. In December 2019, the percentage of users using Google services via IPv6 exceeded 30% for the first time.
Residential proxy
Residential proxy is a type of network proxy service that uses IP addresses from real residential networks for proxying. Unlike data center proxies, residential proxies use actual home or residential networks to provide proxy services, making them more anonymous and discreet.
The IP addresses of residential proxies come from real residential networks, which makes their usage harder to detect and closer to real user IP addresses. This type of proxy service is typically offered by specialized networking companies or providers, and users can acquire residential proxies through purchase or rental.
The main advantage of using residential proxies is that they can help users achieve higher levels of anonymity and privacy protection. They can simulate the network behavior of real users, thereby avoiding detection as proxy servers by websites or applications. Additionally, residential proxies can be used to bypass geographical restrictions or access restricted websites to obtain region-specific content.
In summary, residential proxies offer a more discreet and secure proxy service, enabling users to browse and access content on the internet with more freedom.
Cloud proxy
Cloud proxy refers to a type of proxy server that operates in the cloud rather than on a physical server or device. It allows users to route their internet traffic through remote servers located in various geographic locations. Cloud proxies offer several benefits, such as increased anonymity, bypassing geo-restrictions, and improving online security. They are commonly used for web scraping, data extraction, accessing blocked content, and ensuring privacy while browsing the internet.
Cloud proxy is often used by individual users or small businesses. They can use cloud proxies to access geographically restricted content, such as video streaming or websites restricted to specific regions. Data center IP is typically used by large enterprises or organizations for hosting network services, such as websites, applications, and databases.
ISP
ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. It refers to a company or organization that provides internet access to individuals or businesses. ISPs connect users to the internet through various technologies such as DSL, cable, fiber-optic, or wireless connections. They typically offer a range of services, including internet connectivity, email accounts, web hosting, and other related services. ISPs play a crucial role in delivering internet services to users and act as intermediaries between users and the wider internet infrastructure.
