The purpose of using both VPN and proxy servers is to conceal the users identity, or to spoof a certain geo-location. Many VPN Providers, in addition to offering VPN also provide some kind of proxy service, and there are also many public proxy servers which can be used for free.

1. Proxies vs. VPN – What’s theProxies vs. VPN – What’s the
difference?difference?

2. The purpose of using both VPN and proxy
servers is to conceal the users identity, or to
spoof a certain geo-location. Many VPN
Providers, in addition to offering VPN also
provide some kind of proxy service, and there
are also many public proxy servers which can
be used for free.

3. So the question for many people is ‘what is the
difference between a proxy and VPN?’, and
perhaps even more importantly, ‘do I need to
use VPN or will a cheaper / free proxy suit my
needs?’.
Although performing a similar function, the
actual processes involved are very different,
and therefore have very different
consequences.
The subject is further complicated by the fact
that there are a number of different types of
proxy services available.

4. Proxy ServersProxy Servers

A proxy (technically an open proxy) server is a computer that
acts as an intermediary between your computer and the
internet. Any traffic routed through a proxy server will appear to
come from its IP address, not your computers. Unlike VPN
servers, proxy servers do not have to devote resources to
encrypting all traffic that passes through them, and therefore
can accept simultaneous connections from a great many more
users.

Proxy usually servers communicate with the internet using one
of 2 different protocols; HTTP or SOCKS.

5. HTTP Proxy Servers

The HTTP protocol is designed to interpret
traffic at the HTTP level, which means that
it can only handle traffic that starts with
http:// or shttp://, i.e. web pages*. It is
therefore only good for web surfing, but
because all it is doing is handling HTTP
request, it is faster than either Socks
proxies or VPN servers.

6. 
Pros

Cheap (and often free)

Will hide your IP from basic checks, and is
therefore ok for accessing some geo-
restricted websites and for account
creation

7. Cons

Only useful for accessing websites*

Clever use of Flash or JavaScript allows many websites
to detect your true IP

HTTP traffic is not encrypted so government t surveillance
systems and your ISP can see what you are doing. If
connected through HTTPS (SSL) then traffic cannot be
monitored but the IP of the SHTTP website can be
logged. SSL encryption is roughly equivalent to 128-bit
key length.

Each web browser must be configured individually to use
the proxy server. However, the good news is that this is
well supported by all browsers

8. SOCKS Proxy Servers

SOCKS servers do not interpret network
traffic at all, which makes them much more
flexible, but because they are usually
handling more traffic, usually slower. The
big advantage of the SOCKS protocol is
that it supports any kind of internet traffic,
such as POP3 and SMTP for emails, IRC
chat, FTP for uploading files to websites,
and torrent files. The latest iteration of the
protocol is SOCKS5.

9. 
Pros

Can handle any kind of internet traffic

10. 
Cons

Slower than HTTP

Each piece of software (e.g BitTorrent
client) must be configured individually

Same security issues as HTTP

11. Public Proxy Servers

Because proxy servers can accept so
many connections, many public servers
have sprung up which allow anyone to use
them. Both HTTP and Socks servers are
available, lists of which can be found,
together with the necessary IP address and
Port number from such sites as
freeproxylist.org and Hide My Ass.

12. 
Unfortunately, public proxy servers tend to
be highly unstable, going on and off-line
without notice and varying hugely in the
speed they offer. In addition to this, you
have to trust the owners of theses
anonymous servers with often quite
sensitive information, and there is no
support available. On the hand … they’re
free!

13. Private Proxy Servers

These proxy servers are of course not open to the public and
are usually available for a fee. VPN.S for example offers both
an HTTP and SOCKS5 service, while BTGuard and TorGuard
offer SOCKS5 ‘torrent’ services.

These services tend to be much more reliable, are run by
companies with good reputations, and provide comprehensive
support. They also often provide customized software – for
example BTGuard and TorGuard offer pre-configured BitTorrent
clients.

14. Web Proxies

Web proxy services, such as those found at Hide My Ass and
CyberGhost, connect to a public HTTP server and allow you to
surf the web anonymously from within your browser window,
without the need to download and install any extra software or
configure your bowser settings. They are also free. However,
not only does using such a service usually expose you to a
stream of adverts, but it usually falls down when encountering
anything complicated such as Flash content or Java scripts. In
addition this, many of the better known web proxies IP
addresses are widely known and blocked by some websites.
While incredibly easy therefore, their practical use is somewhat
limited.

15. VPN

Virtual Private Networks create an
encrypted ‘tunnel’ between your computer
and the host server, with the internet traffic
going in and out of the host server. Your
ISP or government can only see that you
have connected to the VPN server and
nothing else – your activities, IP addresses
you have visited etc. are all completely
hidden from them behind a minimum of
128-bit encryption.

16. 
Pros

Internet activity cannot be spied on by ISPs
or governments

High levels of encryption (128-bit to 2048-
bit)

All internet activity masked (once VPN set
up on device)

17. 
Cons

More expensive than proxies

Can be a bit slow during peak times

If VPN provider keeps logs then these may
be obtained by the authorities

18. Conclusion

VPN is superior in almost every way to
proxies. It provides vastly improved online
anonymity, and protects your entire on-line
life. In addition to this, because ISPs
cannot monitor your online activity, it is an
effective means of bypassing ISP throttling.

The only real reason for choosing a
proxy service is over VPN is price, which
we understand is a real factor for many.

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