What is a proxy server? How does it work?

When talking about computers, the word “proxy” has lots of different meanings. Like Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and Tor, proxy servers are ways to gain some privacy while browsing the Internet. Reverse proxies are also how websites handle huge numbers of simultaneous visitors. Given that proxies represent a few different kinds of technology, many people find the distinctions confusing.To get more news about proxy service, you can visit pyproxy.com official website.

In this article, we’ll clear up any misconceptions you might have about proxies. You’ll learn the definition of a proxy server, what types of proxies exist, how they work, and how you can use them.
What is a proxy server?
Most commonly, people use “proxy” to refer to a service they connect to through settings in their web browser. When you connect to a proxy server, all of your web traffic is routed through the proxy server instead of going directly to the website you’re visiting. In other words, a proxy acts as a gateway between users and the internet.
Many different applications on your computer can be configured to use a proxy. Web browsers can use HTTP proxies, which are proxy servers intended to transmit web traffic. When you visit a website while connected to an HTTP proxy, your computer tells the proxy server to request the webpage instead of requesting it directly. You can check out Smartproxy for more detailed information.

Unlike VPNs, proxies aren’t “tunnels” for your computer’s network activity. Instead, a proxy simply sits between your computer and the resources you’re accessing. While you can set a system-wide HTTP proxy on many operating systems, other kinds of traffic aren’t affected.
How a proxy server works
Proxies are simple middlemen that sit between you and the resource you’re trying to access. When you send a request through a proxy, the proxy server makes the request and returns the result for you.

Regardless of which exact type of proxy you’re using, this general principle usually applies. Proxies do not normally place your traffic into an encrypted tunnel; they simply request resources on your behalf.

However, some proxies can actually encrypt your internet traffic, hiding it from your internet service provider (ISP). On the other hand, the owner of the proxy server might have access to this data, so you have to really trust the proxy provider if you want to use the service safely.

Proxies also change your IP address. In this way, the website you visit thinks you’re coming from another country, which helps you stay anonymous. However, the proxies that lack encryption might accidentally leak your IP address.

Interestingly enough, it’s also possible to block websites by using a proxy. If your company uses a proxy server for security, it can also choose which sites you can access based on the proxy’s IP address.
Are proxy servers safe?
As with VPNs, unscrupulous proxies can steal your traffic and sell it for profit. You cannot guarantee that any third-party proxy is completely safe from this. That said, if you pay for a proxy service, the company probably promises not to log your traffic.

If you set up your own proxy server, you don’t have to worry about this possibility. However, you take on the responsibility of maintaining and securing the server. If you accidentally leave your proxy server open to the Internet with no authentication, anyone can use your Internet connection. This can land you in lots of trouble, so be sure to use secure authentication.

Another concern with proxy servers lies in the fact that they operate on a per-application basis. It can be easy to forget that certain apps aren’t using the proxy while others are. Be careful in ensuring that each application that you mean to use with your proxy is set up right. If you need more complete privacy, use a VPN or Tor instead.