What is a proxy?
A proxy sits between your device and a website. It forwards the request for you. Useful, yes. Private by default? Not always.
How a proxy works
Instead of contacting a site directly, your app sends the request to a proxy server. The proxy asks the site, gets the response, then passes it back.
Common proxy types
HTTP proxies are mostly for web traffic. SOCKS proxies can carry more kinds of traffic. Residential proxies use ISP-issued IP addresses and are often used for testing, research or business automation.
Proxy vs VPN
A proxy usually works per app or per browser. A VPN protects the whole device connection. A good VPN also encrypts the tunnel; many basic proxies do not.
When to use which
Use a proxy for a narrow task. Use a VPN when you want the phone, laptop or tablet connection protected as a whole.
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