What is a proxy?
In simple terms, A proxy-server is an intermediary between you and the resource you are connecting to.
Examples of proxy usage
Here are several real-world utilities:
- Accelerating the connection speed and/or the data exchange rate between the user and the server
- Substituting your local IP address with the proxy's address (anonymization)
- Accessing websites that are restricted/blocked by your internet provider or by government entities
- Changing the location of your IP address
And much, much more...
The connection details for a proxy server are provided in the format:
IP:Port:Login:Password (example: 192.168.1.0:7770:Proxy:proxy123)
As we can see above, all values are separated by colons. To use them: simply enter the actual data into the corresponding field in your anti-detect browser or software you are using.
What is the difference between a proxy and a VPN?
Let's answer a very important question that may have arisen as you delve into this topic. The main difference between a VPN and a Proxy server is that the former provides end-to-end encryption.
Explanation: When using a VPN, a secure communication channel is created between your device and the VPN server, which, in addition to protection, allows you to interact with the network anonymously. For ensuring anonymity, it is better to use a VPN. This is justified if you only need to hide your IP address. However, if you want to set restrictions for resources, increase traffic speed, or distribute load across a site through a large number of accounts — you can't do without a proxy.
In simpler terms, for a proxy, ensuring confidentiality is just one of its functions. For a VPN, it's the primary one.
However, it's important NOT TO assume that a VPN guarantees complete security of data transmission. Even with a VPN, there are risks of information leakage! We do not recommend using free VPNs for serious tasks. Always remember the saying: there's no such thing as a free lunch. So we recommend using fast and anonymous ProxyWing.
Why should I use a proxy?
The constant use of a proxy certainly is for everyone. This tool allows you to bypass blocked access to the sites you're interested in and provides different IP addresses for your account farm (thus helping to avoid account bans). Let's consider some real-life examples:
- If you're consistently managing a farm of 10+ wallets linked with social networks, using an anti-detect browser, and can afford to increase your monthly farm expenses, then using a proxy on a permanent basis would be the right decision for you. It will help you avoid social network blockages.
- At the same time, proxies can be very useful for SEO Targeting, E-ticketing bot, NFT Drops. Every situation is unique! But if you buy proxies on ProxyWing - you will not miss your shot.
Differences in Proxy Types - Which to Choose?
Before choosing a proxy, it's essential to understand which type suits your needs. Let's dive in!
Types of Proxies by Their Design Each proxy type is intended for solving a set of tasks, but they share many features and their capabilities often overlap:
- HTTP Proxy – This is the most common type of server (when people refer to a "proxy", they usually mean this type). Browsers of all versions can work with this type of proxy.
- Socks Proxy – These servers can handle almost any type of data on the Internet (TCP/IP protocol). Important! When working with Socks, you need to specify its version (for example: Socks5). This type of proxy is supported by most anti-detect browsers; however, it may not work when used in conjunction with homemade anti-detects based on the portable version of the Chrome browser.
- CGI Proxy (Anonymizers) – This type of proxy is initially intended for use through a browser, and they are simple to use. You can easily employ anonymizers in your work.
- FTP Proxy – This type of proxy server is relatively rare outside of corporate networks. Its use is typically associated with the presence of a Firewall in an organization, which prevents direct access to the Internet. This type of proxy is highly specialized and intended only for use with FTP servers.
Types of Proxies by Location
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Dedicated – These are proxies that belong only to you and suitable for most tasks. They offer high speed, specialized software, and are relatively good. They are most commonly used.
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Shared – These proxies are used by several people at the same time (usually 3). They differ in that they can be heavily loaded, thus reducing your speed of work. Also, these proxies are not anonymous, and there's a risk that a particular website might simply ban you. For the main accounts of your farm, it's better to choose only dedicated proxies. Shared proxies are suitable for those who just want to access blocked resources.
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Residential Proxies – They use real IP addresses that Internet service providers issue to their clients. Anti-fraud systems identify residential proxies as IPs of ordinary local ISPs: by using residential proxies, you achieve maximum disguise as a real user. It should be understood that residential proxies are usually more expensive and slower than other type of proxies and are more suitable for users who want not just to access blocked sites and have different IPs for their farm accounts, but also to create an impression of being a real user at all services. The rental rates for this type of proxy are most often based on the amount of traffic used (GB/$).
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Mobile – They work on the same principle as residential (home) proxies, only they use IPs of cellular operators (anti-fraud systems are more lenient towards this type). Through mobile proxies, you can change IP addresses manually or automatically. These proxies are best suited for quickly working through some activity that requires many different IPs over a short period. They are much more expensive than other types and are rented for a time ranging from several hours to a month.
Types of Proxies by Anonymity
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Datacenter (DC) Proxies - Data center proxies are proxy servers that change user data but not completely. They help to speed up access to website pages that the user identifies—mostly those frequently visited. Typically, DC proxies operate faster (higher loading speed) than ISP and Residential proxies (speeding up loading by caching websites). The main drawback is a low level of stealth. Websites can see that you are using a proxy but can't exactly see your ip.
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ISP Proxies - Proxies obtained directly from Internet Service Providers have several advantages. The main ones are high anonymity and speed. Confidentiality plus speed on the internet ensures that the use will be "seamless."
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Residential Proxies - Using residential proxies represents the most advanced level of protection. This type of proxy can provide the highest degree of security when online (excellently disguised as regular IPs). After using them in cyberspace, there will be no signs of using a proxy server. It will be impossible to identify your IP address. In this respect, Residential proxies surpass all other proxy servers. They possess an average connection speed.
Debunking Proxy Myths
Next, we will tackle the two most popular myths about proxies to discover what the truth really is.
Myth #1 "Proxies Slow Down the Connection"
We often hear from some people that proxies slow down the connection, as it is an additional node of connection, and therefore the resource of speed is spent on connecting to the proxy and then to the destination. However, the situation is slightly different. The most crucial indicator for a proxy is the speed of data transmission between the two exchanging points. This means that a proxy can either slow down or speed up the connection depending on the stability and speed of the communication channels.
Let's consider an example: You're trying to use an RU-proxy to access some ENG-site. You have excellent internet, a good anti-detect browser, everything is thought out to the smallest detail, except for one thing: you have a low connection speed/speed of sending requests to the server. But how is a fast connection speed ensured if both I and the proxy are in roughly the same location? And this is quite a logical question.
Proxy servers have powerful communication channels that your local computer does not have, which allows for speeds in gigabytes per second! (not mb/s). Also, proxies have the maximum internet connection speed. Given these capabilities, a proxy server can transfer information at tremendous speeds.
Myth #2 "Proxies Make Me Completely Anonymous"
This statement is incorrect. Everything depends on the type of your proxy. There are servers that make you completely anonymous, even to those who might be highly "interested" in you. They would have to undertake a tremendous amount of work to trace the connection chain from the proxy server back to you (which is too labor-intensive). For such a task, the previously described type of ISP proxies is well suited.
How to Choose and Where to Purchase Good Proxies?
Key Points:
- Good proxies cannot be cheap. If proxies are inexpensive, it might indicate that they are being sold to multiple users, which can affect performance and connection stability. Alternatively, it could mean that these proxies have low bandwidth (cheap servers).
- You should avoid shared proxies as you are risking your security and might encounter a low-quality product with frequent disruptions.
- It is recommended to look into the reputation of the service from which you are planning to purchase proxies, as there is a risk of encountering a substandard product.
- A large number of servers is preferable to ensure uninterrupted operation.
Proxy Testing
No matter which proxy store you choose, always start by taking a few proxies for testing before purchasing for the entire farm. We suggest the following route for testing proxies:
- Perform a check for the declared location on IP Checker ProxyWing. If the geo-location matches the claimed one, proceed further.
- Check the IP for presence in spam databases using this service. Even residential proxies eventually end up there. Therefore, you should not worry if the proxy IP appears in several spam databases.
- To test proxy speed, we advise using a special checker. You can use it it from this link.
In case you receive poor quality residential proxies, or find a discrepancy between the claimed and actual GEO IP location, in most cases, you can contact support and request a replacement, while also testing the service team’s responsiveness. We strongly recommend performing these actions, as they will save you not only time in the long run but also unnecessary stress.
Where to purchase good proxies
We can confidently recommend the services — ProxyWing. Here's why:
These services sell European and American proxies of the highest quality at a price cheaper than what you would find on other services! The proxies are suitable for absolutely any task and will ensure not only the security of your accounts from blocks but also provide a very pleasant experience in interacting with them.
Service offering rental of premium and affordable proxy addresses. Speeds from 100 Mbps/s (up to 700) and no blocks (or captchas) on 99% of websites! You can choose from individual proxies of the following types: ISP, Residential, and Datacenter, from 5 countries (Europe and the USA). For residential proxies – 150+ countries to choose from. Detailed information can be found here. Proxies are issued exclusively to one user, unlike competitors who have been noticed selling shared proxies under the guise of individual ones. In short, ProxyWing are currently a tier-1 solution on the market. You will not find such an awesome price/quality ratio in any other service. Such reliable proxies will be an excellent choice for purchase for your main farm of accounts.
