Different Types Of Proxies
Proxy servers and tunneling – HTTP – MDN Web Docs
When navigating through different networks of the Internet, proxy servers and HTTP tunnels are facilitating access to content on the World Wide Web. A proxy can be on the user’s local computer, or anywhere between the user’s computer and a destination server on the Internet. This page outlines some basics about proxies and introduces a few configuration options.
There are two types of proxies: forward proxies (or tunnel, or gateway) and reverse proxies (used to control and protect access to a server for load-balancing, authentication, decryption or caching). Forward proxiesA forward proxy, or gateway, or just “proxy” provides proxy services to a client or a group of clients. There are likely hundreds of thousands of open forward proxies on the Internet. They store and forward Internet services (like the DNS, or web pages) to reduce and control the bandwidth used by the group.
Forward proxies can also be anonymous proxies and allow users to hide their IP address while browsing the Web or using other Internet services. TOR (The Onion Router), routes internet traffic through multiple proxies for verse proxiesAs the name implies, a reverse proxy does the opposite of what a forward proxy does: A forward proxy acts on behalf of clients (or requesting hosts). Forward proxies can hide the identities of clients whereas reverse proxies can hide the identities of servers. Reverse proxies have several use cases, a few are:
Load balancing: distribute the load to several web servers,
Cache static content: offload the web servers by caching static content like pictures,
Compression: compress and optimize content to speed up load time.
Forwarding client information through proxiesProxies can make requests appear as if they originated from the proxy’s IP address. This can be useful if a proxy is used to provide client anonymity, but in other cases information from the original request is lost. The IP address of the original client is often used for debugging, statistics, or generating location-dependent content. A common way to disclose this information is by using the following HTTP headers:
The standardized header:
Forwarded
Contains information from the client-facing side of proxy servers that is altered or lost when a proxy is involved in the path of the request.
Or the de-facto standard versions:
X-Forwarded-For
Identifies the originating IP addresses of a client connecting to a web server through an HTTP proxy or a load balancer.
X-Forwarded-Host
Identifies the original host requested that a client used to connect to your proxy or load balancer.
X-Forwarded-Proto
identifies the protocol (HTTP or HTTPS) that a client used to connect to your proxy or load balancer.
To provide information about the proxy itself (not about the client connecting to it), the Via header can be used.
Via
Added by proxies, both forward and reverse proxies, and can appear in the request headers and the response headers.
HTTP tunnelingTunneling transmits private network data and protocol information through public network by encapsulating the data. HTTP tunneling is using a protocol of higher level (HTTP) to transport a lower level protocol (TCP).
The HTTP protocol specifies a request method called CONNECT. It starts two-way communications with the requested resource and can be used to open a tunnel. This is how a client behind an HTTP proxy can access websites using SSL (i. e. HTTPS, port 443). Note, however, that not all proxy servers support the CONNECT method or limit it to port 443 only.
See also the HTTP tunnel article on Auto-Configuration (PAC)A Proxy Auto-Configuration (PAC) file is a JavaScript function that determines whether web browser requests (HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP) go directly to the destination or are forwarded to a web proxy server. The JavaScript function contained in the PAC file defines the function:
The auto-config file should be saved to a file with a filename extension:
And the MIME type set to:
application/x-ns-proxy-autoconfig
The file consists of a function called FindProxyForURL. The example below will work in an environment where the internal DNS server is set up so that it can only resolve internal host names, and the goal is to use a proxy only for hosts that aren’t resolvable:
function FindProxyForURL(url, host) {
if (isResolvable(host))
return “DIRECT”;
else
return “PROXY “;}
See Proxy Auto-Configuration (PAC) for more also
CONNECT
Proxy server on Wikipedia
Is using a proxy server legal?
Yes, it is legal to use a proxy server. Proxies have many different uses, including enabling remote work; setting up a support system for users who are located outside a particular network; protecting networks and Internet users from malicious content; streaming online content from outside a country and more.
When are Proxy Servers Illegal?
Keep in mind that there are some circumstances in which using a proxy server is illegal. For example, some websites stream content that is only available to audiences who have paid their license fees to access it. If you did not pay license fees and tried to access that content via a proxy server, that act would be considered illegal.
Why Use a Proxy Server?
Let’s say you are living in the United Kingdom, and trying to log onto a U. S. based website to watch educational documentaries or your favorite TV programme. However, you discovered that IP addresses in the UK have been blocked. Don’t feel down just yet because proxies allow you to circumvent web filters that are blocking you from your geographical location.
There is content out there that may have been produced for individuals to view for free, so why shouldn’t you be able to view or access it? As long as using proxies do not appear to be an infringement of copyright law, you can use proxies to stream content while enjoying complete peace of mind.
Good Practices for Using Proxies Legally
Before you use a proxy server to stream any content that has been blocked in your geographical location, you should carefully read the target website’s terms and conditions. This practice ensures you avoid breaking any terms and conditions that may lead the target website to take legal action against you.
At Proxy Key, we offer stellar proxies that grant you instant access to your favorite content online with just a few clicks. Contact us today for more information.
How Do I Find My Proxy Server Address? | Techwalla
Check your setting for your proxy server address.
Image Credit: eclipse_images/E+/GettyImages
When you use a proxy server, you benefit from increased privacy because it hides your real internet protocol address and offers options to filter content and access websites that might otherwise have location restrictions. You might need to find your proxy server address if you have a networking problem to troubleshoot or if you need to write down the address to configure a new device. You can access your computer’s network settings to get this information, check your browser settings, or use proxy server detection tools online.
Check Your Operating System Settings
To check the proxy server you configured for applications to use systemwide, go to your computer’s general network settings. The processes include:
Mac: Either select Open Network Preferences from the Wi-Fi menu on the top of your screen or open System Preferences and select Network to get to the same window. After you select your network from the left pane, select Advanced. Choose the Proxies tab to see options for various proxies you might use. Selecting one of the options shows the proxy server address if you set it.
Windows: Run a search and open Internet Options and select the Connections tab in that window. Clicking LAN Settings shows your proxy server address and more details about your current network configuration.
Check Your Computer’s Browser Configuration
You can also find your proxy address by checking your computer’s browser configuration. However, note that the proxy server address configured for your browser may differ from your systemwide proxy used for other applications. This happens if you manually configure your browser to use a different proxy address.
Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon. Select Settings and choose Advanced. Then, select the Open Proxy Settings button to display a screen that shows your proxy setup with address and port.
Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon. Choose Settings and select the Advanced option. Clicking System displays an option on the right to display your operating system’s proxy settings.
Mozilla Firefox: Open the Firefox menu and go to the Preferences option. Scroll down to the bottom of the window and select Settings to bring up detailed proxy information.
Apple Safari: Access the Safari menu. Select Preferences and go to the Advanced tab. Go to the Proxies section and select Change Settings to see the Mac’s proxy settings.
Use Proxy Server Address Detectors
If you’d rather not go through the steps to find your proxy server address through your operating system’s settings or browser configuration, you can find websites that attempt to detect whether you’re using a proxy server. These sites usually show a disclaimer that some proxies may go undetected. These online tools include:
This website automatically shows your computer’s public IP address, which should be your proxy server address if it’s properly configured. You can also click the Proxy Check button to find out whether browsers detect that address as an actual proxy.
Going to this site shows your IP address, which should be your proxy, along with your location and internet service provider name. Access the Tools menu to select the Proxy Check option that works like the one at
Visiting this website automatically runs a basic proxy check that grabs information from your browser’s request to detect if you have a proxy configured. If so, you see an alert at the top showing that the site detected a proxy along with the proxy server address and details such as the proxy’s location and your browser type. You can also choose the Advanced Check button at the top of the page to run a detailed series of tests that can better detect a proxy server.
Frequently Asked Questions about different types of proxies
What is the best type of proxies?
Residential proxies are by-far the best proxies for most uses, because they are IP addresses of real, physical devices. They appear as average users to all servers, and are almost impossible to detect (unless the proxy user abuses it). Using a residential proxy makes gaining access to data easy.
Is using proxies illegal?
Yes, it is legal to use a proxy server. Proxies have many different uses, including enabling remote work; setting up a support system for users who are located outside a particular network; protecting networks and Internet users from malicious content; streaming online content from outside a country and more.
What is the most common type of proxy server?
A forward proxy is the most common form of a proxy server and is generally used to pass requests from an isolated, private network to the Internet through a firewall. Using a forward proxy, requests from an isolated network, or intranet, can be rejected or allowed to pass through a firewall.
