Proxy Format
🎯 Purpose and Common Types of Proxies
Proxies are primarily used to hide your real IP address and forward requests between users and the Internet (and vice versa).If you want to remain anonymous while browsing the web, using a proxy is an extremely important tool.
Here are the 5 most common types of proxies:
1. Types of Proxies Based on Their Origin
Type of Proxy
Key Features
Datacenter Proxy
Datacenter Proxy These proxies are hosted in data centers and are not associated with any Internet Service Provider (ISP). They offer high speed, stable bandwidth, and are more affordable than other types. They are ideal for high-performance tasks such as web scraping, SEO automation, and website load testing.
Residential Proxy
Residential Proxy Connects through real devices in households, using authentic IP addresses provided by ISPs. Offers a high level of anonymity and is hard to detect. Suitable for tasks that require high trust and reliability, such as managing social media accounts, online advertising, and bypassing geo-restrictions.
Mobile Proxy
Mobile Proxy Uses IP addresses from mobile devices connected via 3G/4G/5G networks. Provides realistic mobile traffic and a high level of anonymity. Generally more expensive and often charged based on data usage. Highly suitable for bypassing strict detection systems, managing multiple accounts, or ad verification tasks.
ISP Proxy
A hybrid between Datacenter and Residential Proxies. These proxies are issued by ISPs but hosted in data centers. They offer the speed of datacenter proxies combined with the trust and anonymity of residential proxies. Ideal for ad verification, brand monitoring, and stable anonymous web access.
2. Proxy Types by IP Rotation Mode
Type of Proxy
Key Features
Static Proxy
A proxy with a fixed IP address that does not change during use. It is commonly a Datacenter or ISP proxy. Well-suited for long-term account management, secure transactions, and maintaining a stable connection.
Rotating Proxy
A proxy with an IP address that changes per request or on a time-based rotation. Users can also manually reset the IP. Typically a Residential or Mobile proxy. Slower in speed compared to static proxies, but offers higher variability and anonymity.
3. Proxy Types by IP Version
Type
Key Features
IPv4
Uses a 32-bit addressing system, providing around 4.3 billion IP addresses. Due to near exhaustion, it often relies on address-sharing techniques like NAT. It is still the most widely used standard, and the majority of websites support it.
IPv6
Uses a 128-bit addressing system, offering virtually unlimited IP addresses. It effectively solves the IP shortage problem and enhances security. However, because it goes beyond traditional IP tracking methods, fewer websites currently support it.
4. Classification by Protocol
Type of Proxy
Key Features
HTTP Proxy
A common protocol, but it does not encrypt data, making it prone to personal information leaks.
HTTPS Proxy (SSL Proxy)
Similar to HTTP but with SSL security, which encrypts user information..
SOCKS5 Proxy
A low-level protocol that simply forwards data without additional processing. It can encrypt the connection between the client and the proxy, but does not encrypt the segment between the proxy and the destination server. Often used in combination with other security layers such as TLS or VPN.
5. Proxy Types by Sharing Level
Type
Key Features
Shared Proxy
Shared by multiple users – more affordable but more likely to be blacklisted due to IP abuse.
Private Proxy
Dedicated proxy, not shared with others – more secure and stable, but comes at a higher cost.
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