Proxies vary depending on the degree of anonymity, type of placement, method of data modification, a protocol used, etc. In this article, we will tell you what HTTP and SOCKS proxies are, how they differ, and which ones are better to choose for arbitration, online anonymity, SMM, and other purposes. The information will allow you to make the right decision when choosing a provider of rotating proxies with unlimited bandwidth.
Briefly: What Is A Proxy
A proxy is an intermediary server between your computer/phone and site servers.
If you have a proxy, every time you try to access a site or a site tries to send information to your device, the request first goes through the proxy.
Proxies are used for different purposes. For example, they help:
- speed up the opening of sites;
- visit sites blocked in the country;
- impersonate other users;
- bypass the restrictions of anti-fraud site systems.
For each of the listed purposes, you need to choose specific proxies.
The difference between a proxy and a VPN is that a VPN encrypts the user’s IP address and all traffic from their device. A secure tunnel is created between the device and the site server, through which data is transferred.
The proxy works as an intermediate stop between the user’s device and the site. In some cases, they can protect data, but not all protocols work this way.
What Is An HTTP proxy?
HTTP proxies use HTTP(HyperText Transfer Protocol) for data transfer. Such proxies redirect traffic only from your browser: when visiting sites, exchanging data with them, downloading files, etc. In rare cases, HTTP proxies are suitable for some programs.
All HTTP proxies are divided into several types depending on the level of anonymity.
- Transparent ones show site servers that a person is using a proxy and transmit his real IP address. Due to the fact that these proxies save (cache) the data of popular sites, they are used to speed up the opening of sites.
For example: if a user from Paris has transparent proxies, sites will see that he is a user from Paris, his real IP address and that he uses such proxies.
- Anonymous proxies do not report the user’s IP address while showing sites that data is transmitted through a proxy. This helps to increase data protection on the network and hide your IP address from sites.
For example: if a user from Paris has anonymous proxies from Budapest, sites will see that he is using a server from Budapest, he has the IP of the proxy server from Budapest, but they will not understand that the user is actually in Paris.
- Elite not only does not transmit the user’s IP address but also replaces it with the IP address of another user. As a result, sites do not see the user’s real IP address and do not understand that the person is using a proxy server.
For example: if a user from Paris has elite proxies from Milan, sites will think that this is a regular user from Milan.
HTTP Proxies Have An Improved Version – HTTPS.
HTTPS differs in that it uses the secure SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protocol. Thanks to it, information from the device to the site server is transmitted in encrypted form. Only the browser that sent the information and the site to which this information was sent knows the decryption.
Example: Imagine that you need to send a package from Warsaw to Lisbon. An HTTPS proxy is a carrier that will pick up your package and carefully deliver it to Lisbon, while during the transportation process it will not unpack the package and will not know what is inside.
What Is A Socks Proxy?
Unlike HTTP and HTTPS, SOCKS (Socket Secure) redirects your traffic not only from the browser but from all device programs in general. In this case, the proxy server does not make any changes and data: it only redirects traffic to the final server. It turns out that the proxy server, as it were, acts on behalf of the user’s device.
The most current and secure version of these proxies is SOCKS5:
- It supports different types of connections;
- It is anonymous.
What Is The Difference Between HTTP And SOCKS Proxies?
HTTP and SOCKS differ in the connection format, the amount of data transferred, and, as a result, the tasks for which they are suitable.
SOCKS offers high-speed access to sites, while HTTP/HTTPS speed depends on the type of proxy. For example, elite ones may work more slowly. SOCKS are completely anonymous, and HTTP/HTTPS anonymity depends on the type of proxy. SOCKS redirects all traffic, that is, from the browser and device programs, while HTTP/HTTPS redirects traffic only from the browser.
What Proxy To Choose?
It depends on the tasks for which you plan to use them:
- To speed up the loading of sites: you should use transparent HTTP proxies: they do not mask your traffic, while they cache data. This helps speed up data access. SOCKS5 proxies are also distinguished by their high speed. Such proxies pass all your requests through their server but have a high speed of access to resources.
- To protect information on the network: you can use an HTTPS proxy because it encrypts traffic.
- For traffic arbitrage: it is better to choose elite residential proxies. It replaces your IP with another unique IP and is not defined as a proxy. Due to this, the protection systems of traffic sources perceive you as a real user.
- For SMM and SEO: by analogy with traffic arbitrage, elite residential proxies are more trustworthy.
- For anonymity: any anonymous proxies. If you want to ensure maximum anonymity, use proxy chains – a serial connection to several proxy servers. To do this, you can combine different proxies, for example, SOCKS – HTTPS – SOCKS. At the same time, the use of the chain will affect the speed: the more of them in the network, the lower the speed will be.
Final Thoughts
In the modern world, there are a huge number of proxy providers that offer users many useful services and functions, including choosing a proxy country, connection speed, connection type, amount of traffic used, and so on. PrivateProxy.me is one of the reliable proxy providers that offers a wide variety of proxies. With over 10 years of experience, the company will help you choose a proxy that will fully meet your requirements.
