A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a network that protects user identifications by rerouting the traffic and helps you to connect to a remote computer. A proxy does the same job as a VPN. But there is a difference. This guide helps you to find the difference between a Proxy and a VPN. Also, it explains why VPNs are more reliable and stronger than proxy services, so read on.
Difference between a Proxy and a VPN
With advanced technology and modern digitalization, the internet has now become one of the most essential services that play a great role in every aspect of our life. And because of this, we do almost all big and small work online. But it also cannot be denied that the internet nowadays seems scary, surrounded by lots of malware and ransomware. They always try to intrude on the devices while browsing or downloading files.
In order to abstain from these snooping things, we use a VPN software or a Proxy service that provides a higher level of privacy. Both services allow you to access the internet services anonymously by concealing the Internet Protocol address in various ways.
So, the question arises: If proxy servers and VPN connections perform the same job, then why are they called different? Basically, they are different, and here, the similarities come to an end.
What is a Proxy Server?
Proxy software makes it easier for people to overcome Internet censorship. It can make you anonymous on the internet, making the connections more secure and private.
A proxy server acts as a middleman between your computer and the server you are trying to access. In this case, the websites can’t detect your original IP address, and it seems to come from any other location.
For example, suppose you are currently located in Mumbai city and you need to access a website that is only limited to people in the United States. In this case, you need to connect to a proxy server located in the United States. After that, connect to that website. That way, the traffic coming from your web browser looks like coming from the remote computer.
Proxy service is quite helpful for region-restricted websites and is highly reliable for low-stakes tasks. As we mentioned earlier, the proxy server uses anonymous network ID, so it bypasses simple content filters and services based on IP restrictions.
In order to make it more clear, let us take an example. Assume you are five friends and playing an online game where you receive a daily in-game incentive bonus when you vote the game server on a server ranking site. But according to the game policy, you can only vote with your IP address notwithstanding whether other player names are used. Luckily, there is a proxy service that allows all five friends to easily log in to their vote and get the in-game incentive bonus. It could happen because each person’s web browser appears to be originating from any other IP address.
Apart from these plus points, there are also some downsides to the proxy server. The proxy server is not very reliable for high-level tasks. Although it hides the IP address and works as a mute man in the middle for Internet traffic, it does not support encryption protection to encrypt data between your device and the proxy server. Therefore, a proficient and experienced programmer can quickly block sensitive data in transit and keep it.
The proxy service is based on an application-by-application basis. This means that you can’t configure the entire PC while connecting to the proxy.
There are two main types of proxy that are commonly used. These proxy server protocols are HTTP and SOCKS. The HTTP Proxy is the oldest and most wide-spread proxy server. It has been designed basically for web-based traffic so that it could detect the suspicious content easily. The most interesting thing about an HTTP proxy is that it allows you encryption protection using the SSL certificate, whereas the SOCKS server doesn’t support encryption security.
Read: Free Proxy software for Windows.
What is a VPN server?
A VPN or a Virtual Private Network is essential to stay invisible or anonymous on the net.It will encrypt all the data that your device sends so that it will not be hackable. It hides and protects your identity online.
Virtual Private Networks are somewhat similar to Proxy servers. They also offer an extra layer of privacy and security to internet activity. The VPN functions at the OS level, where it occupies the entire traffic connection of the computer it is configured on. That indicates that the VPN captures the network traffic of each application running on your computer that extends far beyond a single web browser.
Additionally, the VPN server encrypts the network traffic between the Internet and the computer, so the whole process passes through an extremely encrypted tunnel. It provides 100% assurance of data protection from Internet Service Providers and prying eyes of Intruders on internet activity. That way, sensitive and private information of every single user would remain preserved.
Because of all these advantageous services, the VPN is the ideal server for high-level network use. Although VPN offers a high amount of security, it also comes with some drawbacks. The VPN is a slower server than the proxy, and it is so because of the encrypted connection status. Furthermore, in order to use full encryption protection, the VPN usually comes with a paid version while the proxy servers are free.
Read: Free VPN software for Windows.
VPN vs Proxy
The actual difference between a proxy and a VPN is that a Proxy service lets you hide your IP (Internet Protocol) address and reroutes the entire network connection anonymously. A VPN connection has major benefits over the proxy. It hides your IP and provides better encryption to the network between the computer and its servers so that no snoopers or hackers could harm your device.
Read: Best free Proxy sites for safe browsing
Which is better VPN or proxy?
A VPN is generally better than a proxy for security and privacy because it encrypts all internet traffic and hides your IP address. Proxies only mask your IP address without encryption. For sensitive data protection and anonymous browsing, a VPN is the superior choice.
Do I need a proxy if I have a VPN?
No, you don’t need a proxy if you have a VPN. A VPN secures all your internet traffic and encrypts it for added privacy, making it more comprehensive than a proxy, which only works with a single app or service. A VPN provides better overall protection and functionality.
How do you know if you’re using a VPN or proxy?
To check if you’re using a VPN or proxy, visit a site like www.whatismyproxy.com for an online scan. Go to your WiFi settings on a PC to see any VPN/proxy. On a Mac, review the top status bar for VPN/proxy indicators.
Does a VPN bypass a proxy server?
Yes, a VPN can bypass a proxy server by encrypting your internet traffic and routing it through a secure server. This allows access to websites and online services that might be blocked by the proxy server, providing more privacy and security.
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