What is a proxy server?

priyambodo 31 July 2023

proxy servers provide an additional layer of privacy and security

A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet. When you connect to a website through a proxy, your request is first sent to the proxy server, which then forwards it to the website on your behalf. This process helps to mask your IP address, making it appear as if the request is coming from the proxy server rather than your device. By doing so, proxy servers provide an additional layer of privacy and security.

One of the key advantages of using a proxy server is that it allows you to access websites and online services anonymously. The website you’re visiting only sees the IP address of the proxy server, not your actual IP address. This can be particularly useful if you want to protect your identity and location, especially when browsing in public Wi-Fi networks or accessing content in countries with strict internet censorship. Additionally, proxy servers can help improve website loading speeds by caching content and reducing bandwidth usage.

Proxy servers are commonly used for various purposes, including web scraping, content filtering, and load balancing. In the next section, we’ll explore the different types of proxy services available and their specific use cases.