After a few articles about Nginx, I read many times about Proxy, Reverse Proxy, Proxy server. And to explain what those terms are, today I will write about Proxy server. Entering the road with lots of things to learn makes me a little bit more interested and curious Let’s begin.
What is a proxy?
Proxy is an Internet server that is responsible for forwarding information and controlling to create safety for Internet access of clients, also known as customers using Internet services. Station proxy settings called proxy servers. Proxy or proxy setting station has an IP address and a fixed access port.
Proxy server is a gateway between you and the Internet. It separates end users from web pages. Proxy servers provide varying degrees of functionality, security and privacy depending on the use case, needs or company policy.
If you use a proxy server, Internet traffic will flow through the proxy server on the way to the address you requested. The response will then be received through the proxy server and forwarded to you.
However, the proxy server does more than forward web requests, it also has the ability to secure data as well as give higher performance. The proxy server acts as a firewall and web filter, providing shared network connections and cache data to speed up general requests. A good proxy server is that it helps users and intranets to be protected from threats that exist in the Internet. In addition, it also provides a high level of privacy.
How does a proxy server work?
Every device or software on the Internet usually falls into one of two roles: client or server. The client can be a web browser. When you visit the website with your browser, you send a request to the web server of that site.
The server receives the request and then responds with the requested data. At the back of each web page is a server or a group of servers tasked with delivering the website to your browser.
Without a proxy, your computer is directly communicating with web servers. All websites that communicate with your browser can see your computer and communicate directly with it.
The proxy server is in front of a client or a network of clients and handles this traffic. The proxy server is another computer connected to the Internet and your computer and it has its own IP address. Your computer only talks to the proxy and it forwards all communications to the Internet.
Once the Internet responds, the proxy forwards that information to your computer. Many proxies are capable of hiding your computer’s IP so that the websites you visit cannot know who you really are. By connecting to a proxy with an IP address somewhere in the world, you can change your geographical location on the Internet.
Benefits of using proxy server
- Controls: There are many potential dangers on the Internet. And using a proxy server to filter content can help you.
- Privacy: Individuals and organizations all use proxy servers to browse the Internet privately. Some proxy servers will change the IP and identity information that the request is sent to. This makes the destination server unaware who actually makes the request, making your personal information and browsing habits more private.
- Save bandwidth and speed up: By using a good proxy server, organizations can have better overall network performance. Proxy server can host popular websites.
- Security: You can configure the proxy server to encrypt web requests to avoid prying things into your activities. You can also prevent websites or malware you know from allowing access through the proxy server. In addition, organizations can connect their proxy server to a VPN, so remote users can always access the Internet through the company’s proxy. A VPN is a direct connection to a corporate network that companies provide to external or remote users. By using a VPN, companies can control and verify their users have access to the resources they need, while providing a secure connection for users to protect corporate data.
- Access to blocked content: Proxy servers allow users to avoid restricted content regulated by companies and organizations. However, with a proxy that can change the IP address, they can be accessed by changing your geographical location, and so you are no longer blocked.
Risks when using proxy server
- Unstable: Especially for free proxies that are not known for their high performance. We only need to be in case of sudden disconnection or service interruption.
- Slow speed: Caching proxy improves loading time for previously cached websites. If not, however, the proxy will slow down your connection.
- Limited security: Although proxies can hide IP addresses and firewalls, some of them do not encrypt your traffic. For example: You connect to a proxy over a wireless network. Another user on that network might be listening to your activity. This can be done with a VPN.
- Limited functionality: Proxy works on a per application basis and you can simply set a proxy to apply to your entire device.
Types of proxy servers
- Transparent poxy: A server located between your computer and the Internet that redirects requests and responses without any modification.
- Anonymous proxy: A type of self-proclaimed proxy, but it will not pass your IP address to the website to help prevent the theft of your identity and browsing habits. They can prevent websites from serving you the way advertising content is targeted at your location.
- Distorting proxy: It is similar to an anonymous proxy, but by passing the wrong IP address, you can appear from a different location to avoid restrictions on content access.
- High Anonymity proxy: It constantly changes the IP address shown to the web server, making it harder to track who belongs to.
Conclude
The article introduced basic proxy server as well as advantages and disadvantages when using it. Hopefully you will use it in the smartest way to be able to serve the needs and bring the highest efficiency. Thank you for reading the article. I still have many mistakes to look forward to.