A proxy server is an intermediary server between the client, or user, and the server of an internet resource such as a website. This proxy helps improve your data security as a user. Read on to learn how a proxy server works and how you can use one to strengthen your online security. Also discover how you can enjoy the combined benefits of using a proxy server and Avira Phantom VPN.
What is a proxy server?
The term “proxy” means “intermediary” or “agent”. A proxy server is a system or router that forms a gateway between the client or user and the internet. It uses its own IP address to place itself between you and the website you’re visiting, so neither your private nor your public IP address is visible to others. This makes it more difficult or even impossible for cybercriminals to infiltrate your private network.
How does a proxy server work?
When you visit a website, your computer (the client) sends a direct request to the website’s server. This request is identified by your computer’s unique IP address. The server then sends the requested web page back to your computer, which is then displayed in your web browser. This gives attackers the opportunity to use various IP spoofing methods to gain access to sensitive data.
A proxy server acts as an intermediary, intercepting requests and responses between you as an end user and a website’s server. It uses its own TCP/IP address that’s different from yours, in doing so hiding your actual address. This works by the proxy server receiving your request and forwarding it via its own IP address to the web server of the website you requested. The web server’s response is then sent back to you via the proxy server.
This means you have no direct contact with the web server and neither cybercriminals nor other third parties can find your IP address. If the content of a website is compromised, the proxy server also makes it more difficult for hackers to gain access to your device — for increased security.
What types of proxy server are there?
Proxy servers differ in terms of how they work, making it important to choose the type that suits your usage scenario.
- Transparent proxy: A transparent proxy tells the web server that it’s a proxy server. It also passes your IP address on to the website so it can identify you. Companies and public institutions such as schools or libraries often use this option to filter certain content.
- Anonymous proxy: This variant identifies itself as a proxy server. However, unlike with the transparent proxy, it doesn’t reveal your IP address to the website. You then get to surf more anonymously and securely. Additionally, you won’t receive any targeted marketing content.
- Spoofing proxy: A spoofing proxy server identifies itself as such but spoofs your IP address. This gives you the opportunity to make it appear as if you’re somewhere else, allowing you to bypass geoblocking and a whole bunch more.
- Elite proxy: Variants with high levels of anonymity regularly change the IP address that’s visible to the web servers. This makes it very difficult to assign data traffic to individual users. With an elite proxy, you can surf even more privately and securely.
What’s the difference between a proxy server and a reverse proxy?
In addition to proxy servers that sit in front of the user, there are also those that are positioned in front of the web servers. Known as a reverse proxy, it intercepts your requests at the edge of the web server’s network and forwards them to it. The reverse proxy then receives the response from the web server and forwards it to you.
Popular websites that need to handle a large amount of traffic often use a reverse proxy because it can help reduce bandwidth usage. One disadvantage: It can reveal information about the HTTP protocol and server architecture once an attacker has penetrated the website. A company’s IT team should therefore take proactive steps to enhance their network security, particularly in the area of the firewall by implementing further security measures or repositioning the firewall within the network.
What’s the difference between dedicated and generic proxy servers?
There are also dedicated and generic variants among the different proxy server types. Let’s look at what each type does in turn:
- Dedicated proxy: A dedicated proxy server is configured for a specific communication protocol. This means that separate dedicated proxy servers are used in parallel for various internet protocols, like HTTP and HTTPS.
- Generic proxy: A generic proxy has a wider range of applications because it’s not configured for a specific protocol. It often serves as a firewall filter module, allowing you to filter data packets via ports and IP addresses, and blocking suspicious data packets.
Why you should use a proxy server
One of the biggest benefits of setting up a proxy server is increased security — for both businesses and individuals — as it allows web requests to be encrypted, preventing third parties from snooping on your transactions. Companies can also pair their proxy server with a VPN (virtual private network), so employees can always access the internet securely from their home office. Other benefits include:
- Controlled internet use: Proxy servers allow companies to control and monitor how their employees access the internet, enabling them to deny access to certain websites. In addition to companies, parents can also take advantage of this feature and control which sites their kids can visit.
- Bandwidth savings: Companies can improve the overall performance of their internal network by using a proxy server since it can cache popular websites. This means that it stores a copy of the website locally, allowing faster access. This saves bandwidth and increases surfing speed.
- Increased privacy: A proxy server enables both companies and individuals to surf the internet anonymously. Some variants spoof the IP address so that the target server can’t determine where the original request came from. This means your personal data and browsing habits remain more confidential.
A proxy server also allows you to bypass content restrictions. For example, if certain websites are not available in your country, you can bypass this restriction by using a spoofing proxy. It makes it appear as if you’re somewhere else because of the spoofed IP address, allowing you to access content that’s blocked in your region.
What risks does a proxy server pose?
In addition to the advantages, free proxy servers in particular bring with them potential risks. You should consider these before deciding on a variant.
- Browser history log: Some proxy servers store your IP address and information about your web requests locally in an unencrypted form. Therefore, check in advance whether your proxy server logs and stores this data.
- No encryption: A proxy server without encryption offers you no security. For example, if hackers snoop on your connection, they can read your user names, passwords, and other account information. As such, make sure the variant you choose offers full encryption functionality.
- Open ports: Proxy servers often run over open ports. This allows cybercriminals to exploit security vulnerabilities and gain access to your device. Open ports are also risky for companies since they increase the number of attack vectors.
- Limited data protection: Some proxy servers operate over unsecured networks, meaning third parties can gain access to your traffic. Additionally, computer viruses and other malware can get onto your device through ad-based revenue models.
Free proxy servers can also be prone to overloads due to insufficient bandwidth, leading to delays when surfing. With Avira Browser Safety, you can surf more safely from infected sites and ads. It also prevents tracking, so you can stay anonymous online.
How to set up a proxy server
How you set up a proxy server varies depending on your operating system and web browser. Your first step, though, is to find out your internet service provider’s proxy server address.
You can usually find these servers by entering the term “proxy” and the name of your provider into a search engine. On your internet service provider’s overview page you’ll find a proxy list and the corresponding addresses and ports. Next, you need to find your operating system or browser’s LAN settings.
You can set up the proxy server on the entire system or only in a browser. If you set it up across the entire system, all programs will use it. However, if you set it up only in the browser, only it will use the proxy.
Setting up a proxy server on a Windows device
If you know your proxy server’s address, you can set it up. If you have a Windows 10 PC, follow these steps:
- Search for “Proxy”: Simply enter Proxy in the Windows search box. This will take you directly to the proxy settings.
- Use a proxy server: Scroll down and toggle on the switch next to Use a proxy server.
- Enter the proxy server address: Now enter your internet service provider’s proxy server address and the corresponding port. You can find these details on your internet service provider’s website. Finally, click Save.
Setting up a proxy server on a Mac
Proceed as follows to set up a proxy server on your Mac:
- Open System Settings: Open your device’s system settings menu and select Network.
- Select your internet connection: You can use a different proxy server depending on whether you’re connected to the internet via Wi-Fi or a LAN cable. Click your active connection and then select Details….
- Turn on the web proxy: A new window with several tabs will now open. Click the one called Proxies. Select the boxes for Web Proxy (HTTP) and Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS). Then enter the address and port. Confirm by clicking OK.
- Apply selection: Finally, confirm the setup of your proxy server by clicking Apply in the Network menu.
Setting up a proxy server in your browser
Setting up a proxy server can vary depending on which browser you use. In the following, we take a look at what you need to do in the most common browsers.
Chrome
This browser doesn’t have its own in-app settings for proxy servers. If you click Settings and then System, Chrome will redirect you to your computer’s proxy settings. There you can set up the proxy as described above.
Firefox
Proceed as follows to set up a proxy server in Firefox:
- Open the Settings: First click Settings and scroll down to Network Settings. There, click Settings….
- Select Manual proxy configuration: Select the radio button next to Manual proxy configuration and enter your provider’s proxy server address and port in the appropriate fields. Finally, confirm the settings by clicking OK. Your proxy server will now be set up.
Internet Explorer
If you use Internet Explorer as your browser, follow these steps to set up a proxy server:
- Open Internet Options: Use the gear icon to open the Internet Options settings.
- Open Connections: Now select the Connections tab and click LAN Settings in the Local Network Settings section.
- Set up a proxy manually: Select the box next to Use a proxy server for your LAN (…). Then enter your proxy server address and port. Finally, confirm your settings by clicking OK.
Safari
You can also set up a proxy server in Safari. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings: Choose Preferences and select Advanced.
- Change the settings: Under Proxies click Change Settings…
- Set up a proxy server manually: To set up the proxy server manually in Safari, select the boxes next to all the protocols for which you want to use the proxy server. Then enter the address and port. Finally, confirm your changes by clicking OK.
Proxy server vs VPN: What’s the difference?
While a proxy server only works with individual applications or websites, a VPN encrypts all of your internet traffic. Think of a VPN as a special proxy server that encrypts the transmitted data in addition to the network traffic. If you want to be anonymous and more secure online, it’s worth combining a proxy server with a VPN.
Avira Phantom VPN assigns you different IP addresses that can’t be traced back to you since it routes your internet activities through a more secure tunnel. Neither hackers nor others can access it, so it keeps your internet activities anonymous and protects you from cyberattacks.
