What Is a Proxy Server & How Does It Work?

Otherwise known as an anonymizer, an anonymous proxy server is used to maintain your privacy on the internet. Using one ensures that your IP address is never disclosed so that you can access the websites you want.

As the name suggests, a suffix proxy essentially adds its name to the end of the URL it is rerouting or processing. This allows users to access websites or programs that would otherwise be blocked.

Useful for devices or networks in which true proxy settings cannot be changed, a CGI proxy accepts requests and then processes them in the user’s browser before returning the result to the client.

Short for ‘The Onion Router’, TOR is an open-source network that protects your data with multiple layers of security and provides online anonymity. The downside is that your connection is usually far slower.

An elite proxy is offered by established, reputable proxy providers. Most often, you will see residential proxies being described as premium proxies, however, data center proxies can also be called elite or premium.

A web proxy server hides your IP address from the websites that you visit. They are capable of masking your true location, which makes websites believe you are accessing the page from another location.

A distorting proxy can be described as the middle level of the three levels of anonymity where proxy servers are concerned – below elite but offering more anonymity than transparent proxies.

Semi-dedicated proxy is an upgrade in comparison to a shared proxy. Even though it is still shared, it is done so only by a few users, which offers considerably better performance.

A transparent proxy is one that makes the client unaware that their requests are being processed through a proxy. A transparent proxy acts as an intermediary between client requests.

Reverse proxies direct client requests to a particular backend server. It commonly sits behind a firewall in a private network. When it comes to reverse proxies, we should also mention forward proxies.

A DNS proxy converts numeric IP addresses into hierarchical, readable internet addresses and vice versa. It allows your device(s) to understand the information you’re sending to the server.

A private proxy is a type of proxy that is used only by one user, and this type of proxy, also known as a dedicated proxy, provides a user with completely private IP authentication and anonymity.

An HTTP proxy is used for multiple purposes. These proxies can serve as an HTTP client and HTTP server for security. Acting as a tunnel, the HTTP proxy routes HTTP requests from a web browser to the internet.

Also known as an elite proxy, a high anonymity proxy provides all the same benefits as an anonymous proxy but with some additional features. It allows users to conceal the fact they are using a proxy server.

A sneaker proxy is a proxy that is optimized to work efficiently for sneaker copping – a process during which resellers try to buy limited edition sneakers, hoping to later resell them at a higher price.

Protecting peer-to-peer communication and blocking any monitoring from external sources such as your ISP, an I2P proxy is an anonymous network of around 55,000 volunteer-run computers.

Otherwise known as an anonymizer, an anonymous proxy server is used to maintain your privacy on the internet. Using one ensures that your IP address is never disclosed so that you can access the websites you want.

As the name suggests, a suffix proxy essentially adds its name to the end of the URL it is rerouting or processing. This allows users to access websites or programs that would otherwise be blocked.

Useful for devices or networks in which true proxy settings cannot be changed, a CGI proxy accepts requests and then processes them in the user’s browser before returning the result to the client.

Short for ‘The Onion Router’, TOR is an open-source network that protects your data with multiple layers of security and provides online anonymity. The downside is that your connection is usually far slower.

An elite proxy is offered by established, reputable proxy providers. Most often, you will see residential proxies being described as premium proxies, however, data center proxies can also be called elite or premium.

A web proxy server hides your IP address from the websites that you visit. They are capable of masking your true location, which makes websites believe you are accessing the page from another location.

A distorting proxy can be described as the middle level of the three levels of anonymity where proxy servers are concerned – below elite but offering more anonymity than transparent proxies.

Semi-dedicated proxy is an upgrade in comparison to a shared proxy. Even though it is still shared, it is done so only by a few users, which offers considerably better performance.