The contribution What is a proxy server? by Beatrice Bode first appeared on Basic Thinking. You always stay up to date with our newsletter.
We leave digital traces on the Internet with almost every click. But what if you want to hide your identity or access content that are regional? We’ll tell you what a proxy server is and how it works.
If we call up information on the Internet, a lot can happen on the way to data traffic. Whether from a smartphone or laptop to the server or back: firewalls and web filters offer a way to better protect devices. Proxy servers can also help increase security.
What is a proxy server?
When a device connects to the Internet and accesses websites, this happens via an IP address. This is comparable to a home address, only that it is digital. The IP address conveys incoming data the destination. Outgoing data is marked with a return address for authentication via other devices. A proxy server is almost halfway.
You could describe it as a control computer that has its own IP address. Its task is to convey between the respective device and the network offer. Instead of accessing a website directly, one device initially sends an inquiry to the proxy server.
This then forwards the request to the desired website and returns the answer back to the device. This process hides the actual IP address. Instead, the website only sees the IP address of the proxy server.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of proxies?
As an intermediary, Proxy servers have various advantages when it comes to the safety of the end devices.
- Improved privacy: By hiding the IP address, the identity of the users remains protected. Anonymity when surfing increases.
- Access to blocked or location -specific content: Some websites are blocked in certain countries or regions or only accessible to a limited extent. A proxy server with another country address can help access such content.
- Security: Proxy servers serve as an additional security level by filtering data traffic and blocking harmful content.
- Data compression: Some proxy servers can compress data to save range and shorten loading times. This is particularly useful in environments with high data traffic.
- Deal with censorship: In countries with strict internet surgery laws, users can access blocked websites using proxys.
While the advantages of proxy servers speak clearly for use, there are certainly some disadvantages. So slow the handling of the proxy in some cases Speed of the internet connection. In addition, not all Proxy servers are safe. Some variants Save user data or abuse you. It is therefore important to deal with the respective provider before installing.
So you can set up a proxy server
Depending on the operating system, there are various ways to configure a proxy server. The installation depends on your own technical starting position and your own needs.
Mac and iOS
Do you use one Apple computeryou get through the System settings To the rider “network“. There you click on “Details“And then on”Proxies“. To the proxy settings automatically To configure, you activate the option “Automatic proxy discovery“. If your network administrator has provided you with the address of a proxy auto-configuration file (PAC), you choose “Automatic proxy configuration“Out and enter the address of the PAC file in the URL field.
If you are your proxy settings manually want to configure, Do you activate every proxy And then enter his address and port number. If necessary, click the option “Password required for the proxy server“On and enter your username and password. Then you confirm your selection with “OK“.
Windows (11)
Also a proxy on one Windows computer Using the installation depends on the preferred furnishings. For the Automatic setup Do you go over “start” to the Settings. There you choose “Network and Internet“And then”Proxy” out of. There you activate under “Automatic proxy device“The option”Recognize the settings automatically“.
Alternatively, you can also set up the proxy manually. To do this, choose under “Manual proxy device” next to “Proxy server“The option”Furnish” out of. There you follow the corresponding instructions to Name and password to forgive. You can also one Exceptions furnish. If you do not want to use the proxy for local addresses, you can also click on that accordingly. However, Windows recommends activating the check box. After the setup, click on “Save“.
Some users prefer to configure the proxy settings directly in their browsers. Proxys that only affect browser traffic can be set up via Chrome, Firefox and other common browsers.
Important: The establishment of a proxy server is not always easy. It can be worthwhile to have the installation checked by an expert so that the desired protection does not turn into a threat.
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The contribution What is a proxy server? by Beatrice Bode first appeared on Basic Thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard.
As a Tech Industry expert, I can say that a proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary between a user’s device and the internet. It helps to improve security and privacy by masking the user’s IP address and providing an additional layer of anonymity. Proxy servers can also help to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that may be blocked in certain regions.
In addition, proxy servers can also help to improve network performance by caching frequently accessed content and reducing bandwidth usage. They can also be used to filter and monitor internet traffic, making them a valuable tool for businesses looking to protect their network from malicious activity.
Overall, proxy servers play a crucial role in enhancing security, privacy, and performance in the digital world, making them a valuable asset for individuals and organizations alike.
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