Introduction to Proxy

What is a Proxy?

A Proxy is a type of service that runs on hardware devices (PC, Server). Acting as an intermediary between a computer and the network environment, a Proxy "represents" the computer to communicate with the Internet. Additionally, a Proxy can be used to filter and block websites.

Specifically, governments may use proxies to restrict access to inappropriate website content within a country, while service providers can utilize proxies to ensure users access services appropriate for their region or country.

Purpose and Common Types of Proxy

A proxy is mainly used to change the IP address and forward user requests to the Internet and vice versa. If you want to hide your real identity while browsing the web, using a proxy is extremely important.

There are various types of proxies, and below are the five most common classifications.

1. Classification Based on Source

Classification	Characteristics
Datacenter Proxy	Datacenter Proxy stored in data centers. Not associated with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and typically faster than other proxies due to high bandwidth and stable connections. Cheaper than other proxy types and can be easily purchased in bulk. Suitable for high-speed and bandwidth-intensive tasks such as web scraping, SEO analysis, and website load testing.
Residential Proxy	Residential Proxy Characteristics Connects through real user devices in households, using genuine IP addresses assigned by ISPs. Provides a high level of anonymity and is harder to detect as a proxy compared to Datacenter Proxy. Suitable for high-trust activities such as social media account management, online advertising, and accessing geo-restricted content.
Mobile Proxy	Mobile Proxy Characteristics Uses IP addresses from mobile devices connected via cellular networks. Reflects real mobile internet traffic and offers a high level of anonymity. More expensive than other proxy types and often charged based on data usage. Preferred for bypassing strict detection systems, managing multiple accounts, and ad verification.
IPS Proxy	ISP Proxy Characteristics A hybrid of Datacenter Proxy and Residential Proxy. Provided by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) but hosted in data centers. Combines the speed and performance of Datacenter Proxy with the reliability and authenticity of Residential Proxy. Ideal for applications requiring high stability and trust, such as ad verification, brand monitoring, and high-speed anonymous web access.

1. Classification Based on Proxy Status (Static/Rotating)

Classification	Characteristics
Static Proxy	Static proxy is a type of proxy with a fixed IP address that does not change during usage. It is usually a datacenter proxy or ISP proxy. It is suitable for long-term account management, secure transactions, and maintaining stable connections.
Rotating Proxy	Rotating proxy is a type of proxy where the IP address changes with each new request or after a set period. Users can also manually reset it to change the IP. Rotating proxies are usually residential proxies or mobile proxies and have slower loading speeds compared to static proxies.

1. Classification Based on Proxy Version

Classification	Characteristics
IPV4	IPv4 uses a 32-bit address system, providing approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses. In practice, this address space has become insufficient, leading to address reuse and sharing mechanisms such as NAT (Network Address Translation). IPv4 is the first version of IP and remains widely used today. Most websites and applications still support it.
IPV6	Pv6 uses a 128-bit address system, providing an almost unlimited address space. This effectively solves the IPv4 address shortage and supports the future expansion of the Internet. IPv6 was developed to address the depletion of IPv4 resources while also improving security vulnerabilities found in IPv4. However, due to its vast address space, it exceeds traditional traffic monitoring capabilities, leading to IP source control based on user behavior. As a result, fewer websites and applications support IPv6, making its practical adoption lower than IPv4.

1. Classification Based on Proxy Protocol

Classification	Characteristics
HTTP Proxy	HTTP proxy is the most common proxy protocol, but it has poor personal data security because it transmits all traffic in plain text.
HTTPs Proxy	Technically, this proxy is similar to the HTTP type but provides personal data security through the SSL protocol, which is why it is also called an SSL Proxy.
SOCKS5 Proxy	SOCKS5 Proxy is a low-level proxy that forwards data between the client and server without adding much processing. It can encrypt the connection between the client and the proxy but does not encrypt the data transmitted between the proxy and the destination server. Users often combine SOCKS5 with other security measures such as TLS or use a VPN to enhance security.

1. Classification Based on Exclusivity

Classification	Characteristics
Shared Proxy	Cheaper but shared with multiple users, increasing the risk of being blacklisted.
Private Proxy	More expensive but exclusively used, not shared with multiple users.