Many internet users mistakenly believe that a proxy is only used to keep their device secure when using open Wi-Fi networks. In fact, they are used to perform many useful tasks, both for personal and commercial purposes.
Proxy is a useful tool for your online security
What is a proxy?
A proxy (or proxy server) is a kind of proxy computer that allows you to indirectly establish connections to other networks while maintaining privacy and security. Each proxy has its own IP address, which, when used, replaces the unique IP assigned to your device, that is, it hides your personal data (region of residence, Internet provider and computer data).
There are two types of proxies:
- Public (free);
- Private (paid).
The benefits of a proxy
Proxies are useful for both business and ordinary Internet users. Their commercial use helps:
- Increase business security
A proxy reduces the risk of possible hacker attacks on a company; it is a kind of barrier between the company’s servers and the external network. The use of a proxy server in reality does not guarantee one hundred percent protection, but it definitely makes it difficult for attackers to gain access to the actual server with important data.
- Keep confidential tasks anonymous
Proxy servers help to protect both the data of the company, partners, customers, and all research and development.
- Disperse traffic to prevent disruptions
The use of cloud storage and proxies guarantees the prevention of disruptions in the company’s website. The absence of disruptions improves the quality of the customer experience.
Regular Internet users can use a proxy for several purposes:
- Register again, for example, on a social network where you previously received a ban by IP-address;
- Maintain the confidentiality of personal data on the Internet, protect yourself from the threat of their theft;
- View videos hosted on video hosting that are not available in the user’s region of residence.
Private or public proxies. What to choose?
As mentioned earlier, there are two types of proxies – free and paid. The first ones have the only advantage – general availability. The disadvantages of free proxies are limited functionality, a lower level of security than paid ones.
Paid (or private) proxies have a number of significant advantages:
- Security and confidentiality of personal data;
- Reliable protection against hacker attacks;
- 24/7 technical support;
- High speed of data transfer;
- Minimization of site failures.
The advantages of private proxies compared to public ones are obvious from all sides. There is a great opportunity to buy proxies – anonymous, fast, stable (for example, at You-Proxy) with IP-addresses of different countries of the world.
How are proxies used?
Because of their importance, proxies are used for many purposes – private and business. A proxy server can significantly improve network performance. When a computer user makes a request, the proxy downloads data directly from its cache – provided that it first made a copy of the required page.
The proxy server also plays an extremely important role in terms of filtering website content. Therefore, many employers use such a solution on employees’ computers. An employee, while working and using the Internet, may be blocked from accessing, for example, social networks and websites intended solely for entertainment. This is to prevent misuse of the network during business hours. Funnily enough, employees can use a proxy server to access sites blocked by their employer.
