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What’s the difference between a proxy and a VPN, and why is one security stronger than the other? Which security feature is stronger and why?
When it comes to online security, there are a number of different factors to consider. Two of the most popular methods for protecting your identity and data are proxy servers and VPNs. Both proxy servers and VPNs can help to mask your IP address and encrypt your traffic, but there are some key differences between the two. One major difference is that proxy servers only encrypt traffic going through the server, while VPNs encrypt all traffic from your device. This means that proxy servers are only effective if you’re using specific apps or visiting specific websites. VPNs, on the other hand, provide a more comprehensive solution as they can encrypt all traffic from your device, no matter where you’re accessing the internet from. Another key difference is that proxy servers tend to be less expensive than VPNs, but they also offer less privacy and security. When it comes to online security, proxy servers and VPNs both have their pros and cons. It’s important to weigh these factors carefully before decide which option is right for you.
VPN is virtual private network connects your incoming traffic and outgoing traffic to another network.
A proxy just relays your internet traffic. To websites you visit, your IP appears to be that of the proxy server.
A VPN is a type of proxy for which all the communication between your computer and the proxy server is encrypted. With a VPN, no one snooping your internet connection (e.g., your ISP) can see what websites you are visiting or what you are doing there. Security is much better.
VPN PROS:
What is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server is a computer system that performs as an intermediary in the request made by users. This type of server helps prevent an attacker from attacking the network and serves as a tool used to create a firewall.
The etymology of the word proxy means “a figure that can be used to represent the value of something”, this means that a proxy server represents or acts on behalf of the user. The fundamental purpose of proxy servers is to safeguard the direct connection of internet users and resources.
All requests made by the users from the internet go to the proxy server. The responses of the request return back to the proxy server for evaluation and then to the user. Proxy servers serve as an intermediary between the local network and the world wide web. Proxy servers are used for several reasons, such as to filter web content, to avert restrictions like parental blocks, to screen downloads and uploads, and to provide privacy when browsing the internet. The proxy server also prevents and protects the identity of the users.
There are different types of proxy servers used according to the different purposes of a request made by the clients and users. Proxies provide a valuable layer of security for your network and computers. It can be set up as web filters or firewalls which can protect computers from threats such as malware or ransomware. This extra security is also significant when linked with a secured gateway or attached security products. This way, network administrators can filter traffic according to its level of safety or traffic consumption of the network.
Are Proxies and VPNs the same?
Proxies are not the same as VPNs. The only similarity between Proxies and VPNs is that they both connect you to the internet via an intermediary server. An online proxy forwards your traffic to its destination, while a VPN, on the other hand, encrypts all traffic between the VPN server and your device. Here are some more differences between proxies and VPNs:
VPNs help you encrypt your traffic while proxy servers don’t do that.
Proxies don’t protect you from government surveillance, ISP tracking, and hackers, which is why they are never used to handle sensitive information. VPN protects you from the same.
VPNs function on the operating system level while proxies work on the application level.
Proxies only reroute the traffic of a specific app or browser while VPNs reroute it through a VPN server.
Since VPNs need to encrypt your sensitive data, they can be slower than proxies.
Most proxy servers are free while most VPNs are paid. Don’t trust free VPN services as they can compromise your data.
A VPN connection is found to be more reliable than proxy server connections that can drop more frequently.
Why Is a VPN Considered to be More Secure Than a Proxy Server?
By now, you might have already noticed the reason since we have discussed it. The question is: Is a VPN better than a proxy? The simple answer is “Yes.”
How? A VPN provides privacy and security by routing your traffic through a secure VPN server and encrypting your traffic while a proxy, on the other hand, simply passes that traffic through a mediating server. It doesn’t necessarily offer any extra protection unless you use some extra features.
Proxy PROS:
However, when the motivation is to avoid geo-blocking, a proxy is more likely to be successful. Websites that need to do geo-blocking can normally tell that your IP is that of a VPN server. They don’t account for all the possible proxy servers.
In the other hand, there are many types of proxy: datacenter proxy (worst one), Residential proxy, Mobile proxy 4G, and Mobile Proxy 5G.
If you use residential proxy or mobile proxy it might be much better and safer for many reasons:
Residential IP means that the Proxy use a regular ISP like comcast, Charter, Sprint, etc.
They don’t save logs.
The connection is not even direct, it goes to their server first and then to a a real device in another place.
Websites like facebook and shopping sites won’t block you, because you use residential or mobile proxy, so they won’t know that you use a proxy to hide your real IP, while VPN will be easily detected.
Now people would say that the problem with socks5 residential and mobile proxy is the cost, because most of websites sells it on very expensive price.
I use a good cheap and very high quality socks5 residential proxy costs only 3 USD a month per dedicated residential proxy, and the traffic is unlimited.
And it is very fast because it is dedicated and also virgin with fraud score 0.
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