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What Are Backconnect Proxies?

Iveta Vistorskyte

2021-01-284 min read

Web scraping allows you to collect public information from websites for price comparison, carrying out market research, performing ad verification, etc. The required public data is usually extracted in large quantities, but the extraction can prove problematic when you encounter blockades. The blockade can either be IP blocking (the request’s IP address is blocked because it is from a forbidden location, forbidden type of IP, etc.) or a rate-blocking (the IP address is blocked because it has made multiple requests).

This article explains how backconnect proxies can be a great solution to deal with these issues.

Backconnect proxies: what are they?

A backconnect proxy is defined as a server containing a set of regular proxies that are engaged every time a request is made. Proxies are regularly and automatically shuffled so that on each request, a different IP address is sent to the website to collect the public information requested. Your masked IP address passes through a different proxy server on every request. In this case, it is harder for a target website to detect your web scraping activity.

How do backconnect proxies work?

Simply put, a backconnect proxy works by removing most of the difficulties encountered when browsing the web. This occurs via a process that can be described as follows:

You send a request via a masked IP address
The request goes through one of the many proxies in the pool of proxies
The request gets to the target website
The website provides the requested public information which returns to you via the same proxy
Then you make another request
The new request is passed through a new and different proxy, so it also gets to the website
Again, the website provides the requested public information.

This process above is repeated every time a request to the target website is made. Backconnect proxies can help you make millions of successful requests every day.

Backconnect proxies can help you make a huge amount of successful requests daily

Pros and cons of backconnect proxies

To fully understand what a backconnect proxy is, you need to know what its advantages and disadvantages are as well.

Pros

They save time

This could be the number one reason why backconnect proxies are a very popular solution for web scraping. The backconnect proxy network uses a rotation system that rotates proxies and assigns them different requests. The fact that you can make multiple requests per minute goes a long way to save you time. You also do not need to maintain proxy rotation as it is done automatically.

They eliminate limits on requests

Backconnect proxies are used for web scraping because they eliminate rate limits. Rate limits are limits on how many requests can be made to a target website. Websites limit how many times a proxy can access their information and bans that proxy once that limit is exceeded. Backconnect proxies help to overcome this challenge by rotating your IP address to different proxies on each request made.

They increase anonymity

You would need to maintain a significantly high anonymity level when scraping the web if you intend to do it successfully. Many websites are usually designed to ban unmasked IP addresses, so anonymity is necessary to prevent getting banned. A backconnect proxy can do all that while still maintaining the overall power of your scraping software.

They increase the security of IP addresses

The security risk is a significant concern while scraping the web. There is always a risk of being targeted with malicious content. If your IP address is targeted and infiltrated successfully, the consequences can range from a major but temporary setback to a complete end of your web scraping career. Since the backconnect proxy stands between you and the website server, one of its functions is to ensure that information containing malicious content does not get to you. It protects you and your IP address from malicious activities.

It is important to understand the pros and cons of backconnect proxies

Cons

They increase overall cost

Backconnect proxies offer better security and anonymity, multiple requests with no limits, and reduced extraction time. Of course, all of these benefits come with an extra cost, so this is the reason why backconnect proxies are usually more expensive than other proxy types. However, if you search for a reliable and effective solution for web scraping, residential proxy is one of the best choices you can make.

They can sometimes have speed challenges

You may notice that the proxy does not deliver the request or return information to your server fast enough. This can be problematic and affect your overall productivity. However, this disadvantage only arises when you use a backconnect proxy network that is far enough from your scraping server or target server. For example, imagine that your scraping server is in Germany, the backconnect proxy server is in the USA, and your target server is in Russia. Your request goes from Germany to the USA, then to Russia, then back to the USA, and finally reaches your scraping server in Germany. Because of this long and challenging process, speed issues are not that surprising. The way to fix it – choose the backconnect proxy server as nearest as possible to you or your target location.

Conclusion

Web scraping is useful for several reasons and can be very successful and lucrative when done correctly. You can improve your web scraping process with a backconnect proxy. In this case, you will not need to deal with IP blocks, rate limits, and other issues. Choosing a reliable proxy service provider is essential because only then you can take full advantage of proxies without any problems.

About the author

Iveta Vistorskyte

Lead Content Manager

Iveta Vistorskyte is a Lead Content Manager at Oxylabs. Growing up as a writer and a challenge seeker, she decided to welcome herself to the tech-side, and instantly became interested in this field. When she is not at work, you'll probably find her just chillin' while listening to her favorite music or playing board games with friends.

Learn more about Iveta Vistorskyte

All information on Oxylabs Blog is provided on an "as is" basis and for informational purposes only. We make no representation and disclaim all liability with respect to your use of any information contained on Oxylabs Blog or any third-party websites that may be linked therein. Before engaging in scraping activities of any kind you should consult your legal advisors and carefully read the particular website's terms of service or receive a scraping license.