Advances in technology have made it easier for us to explore the vast web, but this convenience comes with threats to privacy, security, and usage restrictions. That’s why use VPNs (virtual private networks) and proxies are becoming increasingly important. These technologies not only help protect personal data from hackers and spies, but also provide access to content that may be geo-restricted or subject to Internet censorship.
If you’re interested in learning more about VPNs and proxies, this article will cover the different types and features they offer, what they are and what they aren’t. We will also show you how to use them (VPN/Proxy) and suggest alternative options.
Read on to learn more!
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- Is VPN and proxy different?
Many people think that a VPN and a proxy are the same because their functions can be considered quite similar. In addition to protecting privacy and security, they also allow you to do just that access more content online.
Here’s an explanation of both:
| VPN | Proxy | |
| Anonymity | Completely hides your real IP, preserves your anonymity and protects your data from tracking. | Firewalls and many usage restrictions cannot be bypassed. |
| Privacy and security | Encrypts all data and hides your real IP for complete privacy and security. | Not all proxies use SSL, making them vulnerable to cyber attacks and tracking. |
| Internet access | Accesses all blocked websites, including those restricted by governments, ISPs or network locations. | Accesses all blocked websites, including those restricted by governments, ISPs or network locations. |
| Speed | Ensures fast internet connection for more convenient internet use. | Much faster than VPN due to lower costs (no encryption) |
| Stability | Stable because data is encrypted, easily broken. | Depending on the providers, premium proxies tend to be stable, while free ones are not. |
| Devices | Works on all systems, computers and smartphones like Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, etc. | Only works with certain browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc. |
VPN extends a private network over a public network. It allows users to send and receive data over shared or public networks as if their computing devices were directly connected to a private network.
Meanwhile, a proxy server is a broker that acts as a broker for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. In other words, a proxy server allows you to access the Internet at a different IP address than the one the device received.
So, while a VPN and a proxy can both be used to protect privacy and security, they work in different ways. A VPN provides a secure connection to a private network, and a proxy server acts as an intermediary for Internet requests, hiding the user’s original IP address.
2. Using a VPN and proxy together?
Imagine using a VPN and a proxy server at the same time, you can ensure a higher level of Internet security and privacy. Proxy server hides your original IP address from the VPN server, adding an extra layer of anonymity, and the VPN encrypts your internet data, making it safe from interception. This double protection is very useful for accessing geo-restricted content or bypassing strict network blocks, as some services may block VPN IPs but allow proxies.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider, especially internet speed reduction. Having two layers of security running at the same time can slow down your connection and affect activities like browsing or streaming. VPN and proxy setup working together can be quite challenging and often requires technical expertise. There may also be compatibility issues that may prevent some apps or services from working properly. Nevertheless, if you are willing to face these challenges, a combination of VPN and proxy can be a reliable solution for safe web browsing.
Experience safer security and anonymity with Rapidseedbox VPN and Proxy Combined! Improve your privacy, bypass strict restrictions and enjoy safe browsing.
3. When is the right time to use a VPN or proxy?
Have you ever wondered when you should rely on a VPN or proxy server to access th
e Internet? With security threats on the Internet on the rise, knowing when to choose VPN and proxy services can be your first step in protecting your security and privacy.
Don’t worry, we’ve put together a guide on how to best use each of these services:
VPN
- When you need maximum security: When you connect to the Internet via public Wi-Fi or hotspots, especially in places like coffee shops, airports or hotels, using a VPN is a smart solution to protect your sensitive data from being intercepted.
- Accessing geo-restricted content: If you want to access websites or streaming services that are restricted in your region, a VPN allows you to use servers from other countries and bypass geo-restrictions.
- For secure remote communications: When you’re working remotely or accessing corporate networks from locations outside the office, a VPN ensures a secure and encrypted connection while maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information.
Proxy
- Avoiding local restrictions: If you encounter restrictions or blocks on your local network, using a proxy server can help you access websites or services that may be blocked.
- Fast access to sensitive content: If you just need to access sensitive content anonymously or bypass geo-restrictions, a proxy server can provide fast access without losing speed like a VPN.
- Monitoring unnecessary Internet activity: When you need Internet access that is not particularly sensitive to privacy, such as accessing news or shared content, using a proxy server can be a simpler and easier alternative.
Choose wisely between a VPN and a proxy based on your specific needs and circumstances to ensure a secure and private online experience.
For a more in-depth comparison between VPN and proxy, you can read a detailed comparison article here: VPN vs Proxy
4. How VPN and Proxy work
How VPNs work
Here’s how a VPN works for you as a user. When you run VPN client software from a VPN service provider, the software instantly encrypts your data, even before your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or your Wi-Fi network realizes it.
The data is then routed to the VPN, then to the VPN server and to your online destination. The online destination assumes that your data is coming from the VPN server and its location, not your original device or location.
A VPN server acts as an intermediary to provide data on your behalf, providing solutions to privacy and security issues such as:
- The destination site sees the VPN server as the source of the traffic, not you. This makes it difficult for someone to identify you or your computer as the source of the data. Information such as websites visited, data transferred, and the like are not easily disclosed.
- Your data is encrypted, so even if someone sees what you send, they can only see the encrypted information, not the raw data.
Data encryption VPN is the process of protecting information transmitted over the Internet by converting the data into a code that cannot be read by unauthorized persons. This technology involves the use of strong encryption protocols such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) to ensure that personal data, online activity and communications remain secure and protected from threats such as hacking and eavesdropping. With VPN encryption, users can surf the web more securely and keep their information confidential.
So your data is safe and not susceptible to data leakage.
How a proxy server works
As briefly explained above, the role of a proxy server is to hide your IP address. For example, if you want to access a specific website through a proxy server. After entering the website address to the proxy website (eg rapidseedbox.com), the proxy forwards the request to the website server.
So, when the proxy sends a request, it will replace your IP address with another IP address. So the site doesn’t know your exact location or your online activity. Therefore, usually a proxy server acts as a “mask” when browsing, for example, when visiting a certain website. To make the site think you are someone else with a different IP address.
5. Types of VPN proxy services
Next, we will discuss the different types of VPNs and proxies. There are a few basic types of VPNs and proxies that are important to know.
Types of VPNs
1. Personal VPN
This type of VPN is also known as a personal or commercial VPN. A private VPN connects users to the public Internet with an encrypted connection through VPN servers. The main purpose of a personal VPN is to maintain online privacy and overcome geo-restrictions.
Because it is designed for personal use, personal VPN settings are easily set up on a variety of devices, including PCs, laptops, game consoles, and mobile devices. Some examples of personal VPN services include Rapidseedbox VPN.
2. Website VPN
This VPN connects two networks located in different locations. For example, if a company has two offices in Europe and Asia, a VPN can connect both private company networks from one location to the other.
Many global companies use a combination of site-to-site VPN and remote access VPN. A site VPN connects all of a company’s private networks around the world, while a remote access VPN allows employees to access all of these networks simultaneously.
3. Remote access VPN
A remote access VPN is a type of VPN that allows users to connect to a private or local network. Typically, this type is used by employees to securely connect to the office network and access company data and files.
This type of VPN is very useful for remote workers and workers who work from home because it allows them to access their work files as if they were in the office. Encryption is also critical to keeping sensitive company data secure when using public Wi-Fi hotspots.
4. Mobile VPN
Like remote access VPNs, mobile VPNs are also often used by employees to remotely access a company’s business network.
However, the main difference is that a mobile VPN remains connected even when users change their internet connection or have no internet connection at all. Therefore, mobile VPN is recommended for users with high mobility or unstable connection.
Types of proxy servers
If you’re really interested in learning everything there is to know about poker types, check out our full guide types of proxy servers
1. Anonymous proxy
This type allows you to browse the Internet without revealing your real IP address. When connected through a proxy server, they act as privacy protections, making your web browsing activities difficult to trace. It’s worth noting that not all proxies are anonymous, and their level of anonymity will vary depending on the type.
2. Transparent proxy
This proxy, called a forward proxy, intercepts communications between end users or devices and the Internet. It is called “transparent” because it works without exchanging requests and responses.
Such a proxy is useful when dealing with dangerous or suspicious websites, as it redirects them to more secure pages. Mobile operators often use this type of proxy to restrict access to certain websites.
3. Distorting proxy
This type of proxy is a proxy server that provides a false IP address in the HTTP header to hide the user’s real IP address. In this way, users can gain some benefits by using a real proxy server with their original IP address and ensure that your personal data will be more secure and protected while browsing the Internet.
4. High anonymity proxy
It is a type of proxy server that provides the highest level of anonymity or security. When using this type of proxy, the server you connect to will not receive information about your real IP address. In fact, it may not even detect whether the connection was made through a proxy or not. This type of proxy is usually provided by various paid services such as Proxy Rapidseedbox.
5. Forward proxy
A forward proxy is the most common form of proxy. Typically, this type of proxy is used to forward requests from isolated private networks through a firewall to the Internet. Forward proxies also have the ability to hide the user’s original IP address, so you don’t have to worry about your data being leaked or known by the server.
6. Top 5 VPN and Proxy Providers
Here’s a rundown of the top 5 VPN and proxy providers for those of you who don’t know which provider suits your needs:
| VPN and proxy provider | ||
| 1 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 5 | ||
7. VPN proxy alternatives
A VPN is one of the many tools that can be used to protect your privacy, security, and freedom while browsing the Internet. However, if you don’t want to use a VPN, there are other alternatives that work similarly.
1. Tor browser
Image taken from www.torproject.org
Tor is an anonymous web browser that works by encrypting your internet traffic with multi-layer encryption and routing it through a number of randomly selected global servers, making your identity almost completely anonymous.
Although Tor is easy to use and available on various popular operating systems such as Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, its main drawback is its slow speed. This is due to the complexity of mechanisms for maintaining user privacy. Also, while VPNs protect at the system level, Tor only protects at the application level. Tor Browser Review.
2. SmartDNS
SmartDNS is a local DNS server that receives DNS requests from users. It receives the results of DNS queries from multiple upstream DNS servers and returns the fastest access results to users. SmartDNS supports secure DNS protocols such as DoT (DNS over TLS) and DoH (DNS over HTTPS) to better protect privacy, avoid DNS pollution, and improve network access speed. In addition, SmartDNS supports high-performance ad filtering.
3. DuckDuckGo
Photo courtesy of duckduckgo.com
DuckDuckGo does not act as an intermediary service in the traditional sense. Instead, the term is often used to refer to the privacy that this search engine emphasizes. The platform processes users’ search queries in a way that maintains the anonymity of users’ identities and geographic locations.
Although its concept is similar to a proxy server in that DuckDuckGo acts as an intermediary between users and the websites they visit, its main goal is to protect users’ privacy, not to change their access point. To learn more about how DuckDuckGo can improve your online privacy and browsing experience, see our guide to using DuckDuckGo.
8. How to use a VPN proxy
Before learning how to use a VPN proxy, it is important to first know a reliable and worthy VPN service (with proxy services) provider to choose from.
Note that most free VPN services are not recommended because they often store logs of your online activity or contain malware, defeating the original purpose of using a VPN to maintain privacy and security if you have a free service.
Use VPN proxy services like Rapidseedbox VPN. Quality VPN services can speed up your connection, keep no logs of your online activity, and provide multiple server locations around the world. Typically, these VPN services are offered in the price range of $2.5 to $9 per month.
How to set up RapidSeedbox VPN General Guide:
Purchase a RapidSeedbox plan
- Visit RapidSeedbox website.
- Choose the plan that suits your needs.
- Complete the purchase process and create an account.
Log in to your RapidSeedbox account
- Log in to your RapidSeedbox account on your website.
- Go to the customer area where you can manage your services.
Download and install VPN software
- In the client area, find the VPN services section.
- Download VPN client software for your operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, etc.).
Configure VPN
- Install the downloaded VPN client software.
- Open your VPN client and log in with your RapidSeedbox credentials.
- Select a VPN server from the list provided by the client. This can be based on your preferred location or other criteria such as speed.
Connect to a VPN
- Click the login button in the VPN client.
- Wait for the connection to be established. Once connected, your internet traffic will be routed through the VPN server, ensuring a secure and private connection.
Check your VPN connection
- To make sure your VPN is working, you can check your IP address by visiting a site like WhatIsMyIP.com before and after connecting to the VPN.
- Your IP address should change to match the location of the VPN server.
Configure additional settings (optional)
- You can further configure settings such as automatic connection at startup, select specific protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, etc.) and advanced VPN client settings options.
9. ALL
- What is the essential difference between a VPN and a proxy server?
A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts all Internet traffic and hides the originating IP address, while a proxy server acts as an intermediary between the user and the Internet, only hiding the originating IP address.
- When should I use a VPN and when should I use a proxy?
A VPN is more suitable for maximum privacy and security, access to blocked content and secure remote communication. Meanwhile, a proxy server is better for bypassing local restrictions, quickly accessing sensitive content, and monitoring non-critical Internet activity from a privacy perspective.
- Do VPNs and proxy servers affect my internet speed?
A VPN can slow down your internet speed due to data encryption, and a proxy can also slow down your speed by routing traffic through proxies.
10. Conclusion
It is important to understand the differences between VPNs and proxies. A VPN acts as your personal bodyguard, ensuring a secure and anonymous connection to the Internet by encrypting your data and hiding your IP address.
A proxy server, on the other hand, acts as an intermediary for your internet requests, hiding your original IP address without the extra layer of encryption that a VPN provides.
Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Your choice should depend on what you value most – maximum security or quick and easy anonymity.
Choose wisely based on your needs and enjoy a safer, freer internet!