What is a proxy server? What can it be used for? If you are curious about these questions, you must read this article carefully, because MiniTool has introduced you to the relevant knowledge about proxy servers. At the same time, you will also learn why you want to use a proxy server.

What is a proxy server?

What exactly is a proxy server? In a computer network, a proxy server is a server application or device that acts as an intermediary between a client and a resource server. When a client requests a resource, the proxy server initiates a request to the target server on its behalf. In this way, what the resource server sees is not the true source of the client, thus hiding the requester's actual identity.

Modern proxy servers have far more than just forwarding web page requests, and they also play an important role in data security and network performance. A proxy server can act as a firewall and web filter, provide shared network connections, and accelerate the response of common requests through a caching mechanism. An efficient proxy server can effectively protect users and internal networks from various potential threats on the Internet. In addition, proxy servers can also provide a higher degree of privacy protection.

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What does a proxy server work?

Every computer on the Internet needs a unique IP address (Internet Protocol), because the Internet relies on the IP address to ensure that data is sent accurately to the correct device.

The proxy server itself is also a computer with an independent IP address, and your device knows this address. When you initiate a network request, the data will not directly access the target website, but will be sent to the proxy server first. Then, the proxy server sends a request to the target website on your behalf, receives the data returned by the web page, and forwards the content to you so that you can view the page normally in the browser.

In this process, the proxy server can modify the data you send while still ensuring that you can obtain the information you need. For example, it can hide or replace your real IP address, making it impossible for the website to accurately determine your geographical location; it can also encrypt the data in transmission to prevent information from being stolen; in addition, the proxy server can also block access to certain specific websites based on the IP address.

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Type of proxy server

There are many types of proxy servers depending on how they work. Next, let us understand their characteristics one by one.

Transparent Agent

Transparent proxy will indicate to the website that it is a proxy server, but will still pass your real IP address to the target website, so you cannot completely hide your identity. Due to its simplified configuration, transparent agents are often used by enterprises, public libraries and schools for content filtering and Internet management.

Anonymous proxy

Although anonymous agents will declare themselves as agents, they will not disclose your real IP address, which will help prevent identity leakage and protect browsing privacy. It also prevents websites from pushing targeted ads based on your geographic location. Nevertheless, anonymous proxy does not guarantee complete anonymity by 100%.

Disguised Agent (Twisted Agent)

While the disguised agent indicates that he is a proxy, it will pass a false IP address to the website. This approach not only hides the real identity, but also makes you look like you are from other regions, thus bypassing certain geo-based content restrictions.

Highly anonymous proxy

Highly anonymous agents periodically change the IP address provided to the website, making it extremely difficult to track the source of a request. Highly anonymous proxy like TOR Network is one of the most secure and private ways to access the Internet at present.

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Summarize

After reading this article, you should have already learned what a proxy server is, how it works, and four common proxy types. This knowledge will help you better protect privacy, improve security in your daily online access, and choose the right proxy service according to your needs.

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