The proxy receives the user’s information from a network source, for example, a web page. The proxy server protects the user from adverse activity on the Internet and facilitates the execution of web requests and responses.
How the Proxy Works
The proxy uses a different IP address on behalf of the user, hides the real address from web servers. Example of a typical proxy configuration:
- the user enters the website address into the browser;
- the proxy receives this request;
- the proxy server forwards the request to the web server;
- the web server sends a response to the proxy;
- the proxy server forwards the response to the user.
What the Proxy Server is used for
There are many methods of application of proxy; it all depends on the configuration and variety. Proxies are usually used for anonymous web browsing, bypassing geo-blocking and regulating web requests.
Direct proxies transmit requests from clients of the internal network to the Internet through a firewall. They allow or prohibit the passage of the user’s request. Before receiving the requested information from the server, the direct proxy checks its caching. The proxy stores cached information, saving the user from having to request it from the server.
The reverse proxy server transmits requests from the Internet to the internal network users through the firewall. In fact, it is a direct proxy in the “reversed direction”. Their principles are similar.
Proxy Server Anonymity Levels
A high anonymous proxy server provides the greatest security for the user. It hides the IP address when making requests to the web server and does not identify itself as a proxy for the web server.
Distorting proxies hide the client’s real IP address when they visit a website. The proxy distorts its own IP address by changing the geolocation of the web server. In web server requests, it is identified as a proxy server. They are used to hide geographical location, avoid targeted marketing or access to websites that are censored in the actual location of the user.
A transparent proxy server is the opposite of an anonymous one. It does not hide the user identifying information. A transparent proxy sends a request to the web server, which is displayed as coming directly from the user.