But hiding your IP address does not encrypt your internet traffic, meaning that your data requests - including your usernames, passwords, and other account info - aren’t protected or hidden.ĭespite their security limitations, there are several kinds of proxies that work in different ways. With a proxy server, the only point of contact for your network is the proxy server itself.Ī proxy server acts as a gateway between you and the internet.Ī web-based proxy server can mask your IP address, making it difficult for a web server to track your physical location. The web or other server you’re requesting data from then returns your requests to the proxy address, which returns the data back to you. When you use a proxy server, your internet requests are sent to the proxy server, which relays your requests out to the internet. An online proxy has an IP address, too, which can be used on your behalf so that you don’t have to reveal your actual IP address. In fact, it’s incredibly easy to find your IP address, which can potentially lead to security breaches and other identity-related issues. When you’re online without a proxy, your IP address is exposed for web servers to see. Just as mail is delivered to the physical address of your home, your internet requests are returned to your unique IP address, ensuring that data gets transmitted to the right location. An IP (Internet Protocol) address functions like a home address for your computer or device. Shared network connections: you can connect multiple devices under one network.ĭata caching: you can increase browsing speeds by saving copies of websites.Īll proxy servers work with your computer’s IP address.
Here are some other useful features of proxy servers:įirewall & web filter abilities: you can restrict access to certain websites. But a proxy server can have other uses, and it can offer more than just security protection against hackers. The proxy server sends your request on to the relevant web server, gets a response, and forwards that back so that the data you requested (a web page, say) can load in your browser.īy acting as a representative or gateway between you and the internet, a proxy server ensures that your browser is never in direct contact with the sites you visit, which can help strengthen your security and the security of your local network. When you send a web request, the request first goes to the proxy server. What does a proxy server do?īy forwarding along your web requests, proxy servers offer many security benefits. In the same way that a “proxy” is a representative, a proxy server represents you by acting as a messenger or gateway to the web.Īlthough there are many types of proxy servers, each with varying functions, they all serve the fundamental task of representing you as you navigate the internet. That’s the general definition of a proxy server, which is also known as a forward proxy server.
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