A proxy server sits between your device and the internet, forwarding your requests on your behalf. When you connect through a proxy, the websites you visit see the proxy's IP address instead of yours — giving you a degree of anonymity and the ability to bypass geographic restrictions.
How a Proxy Server Works
Without a proxy: your browser → website directly. Your IP is visible to the website.
With a proxy: your browser → proxy server → website. The website sees the proxy's IP. The proxy forwards the response back to you.
Your actual IP address is passed to the proxy server, which knows who you are. Whether the proxy logs or shares this information depends entirely on its privacy policy.
Types of Proxy Servers
HTTP proxies handle web traffic only. They are the most basic type — fast, but do not work with non-HTTP protocols and typically do not encrypt traffic.
HTTPS proxies (SSL proxies) support encrypted connections. More secure than plain HTTP proxies and work with most modern websites that use HTTPS.
SOCKS5 proxies work at a lower level than HTTP proxies, supporting any protocol — not just web traffic. Used for torrenting, gaming and other non-HTTP applications. SOCKS5 does not encrypt traffic.
Transparent proxies are set up by network administrators (ISPs, schools, employers) without user knowledge. They cache content and enforce filtering policies. Your real IP is usually visible to the destination.
Residential proxies use IP addresses belonging to real ISP customers. They appear as regular consumer connections and are harder to detect than data centre proxies. Used in web scraping and market research.
Proxy vs VPN: What Is the Difference?
A VPN differs from a proxy in two critical ways. First, a VPN encrypts all your traffic between your device and the VPN server — a proxy typically does not. Second, a VPN routes all your traffic at the operating system level, while a proxy is usually configured per-application or per-browser.
For privacy, a VPN is almost always the better choice. For specific use cases like web scraping or accessing geo-restricted content in a single browser tab, a proxy may be sufficient.
When to Use a Proxy
- Bypassing simple geographic restrictions in a browser (streaming, regional websites)
- Web scraping and automated browsing where full encryption is not required
- Caching and content filtering on corporate or school networks
- Testing how your website appears from different countries
When to Use a VPN Instead
Use a VPN whenever you need encrypted traffic — on public WiFi, when using sensitive accounts, or when full privacy is required. A VPN protects all your applications simultaneously, not just your browser. See our recommended VPNs for audited, trustworthy options, and use our DNS Leak Test to verify your connection is properly protected.
