Proxy Servers: 6 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

The Internet as we know it today would not be possible without proxy servers, yet this technology is often overlooked. You have probably heard of virtual private networks (VPNs), a similar technology that has conquered the hearts of many YouTubers and online privacy proponents.

But did you know that you can also use proxies for private browsing? Or that they are a powerful data analytics tool? In reality, you are most likely using a proxy server with every visited website, but it’s hidden from plain sight.

Proxies act as a mediator between your device and the World Wide Web, and you can find them nearly everywhere. I first used a proxy server in the early 2000s, so I’ll share some interesting facts and use cases with you and recommend one of the best proxy providers for your personal needs.

6 Interesting Facts About Proxy Servers

1.   You are probably using a proxy right now

Proxy servers are widely used to optimize online data routing and protect server resources, like the one that hosts this website. If too many readers come to learn some interesting facts at the same time, it may overload the server, causing it to slow down or even stop working.

Instead, networking specialists use reverse proxies. Whenever you request an interesting fact, the request first goes to the reverse proxy server that inspects it, finds the required content, fetches it from the host server, and sends it back to you.

This way, multiple reverse proxy servers handle countless visitors simultaneously without slowing the website down. So, chances are high that your device is communicating with a proxy server at this very moment.

2.   Proxies are older than you might think

Commercial proxies for personal use became more widespread in the late 2010s. People started using them to bypass various restrictions, like accessing browser-based games on university campuses or in the office. However, the very first proxies date back to the late 1980s and had an entirely different purpose.

At that time, 2400 bits/second was considered a good connection speed. Considering that a typical smartphone photo nowadays takes up to 5MB, it would take four and a half hours to download it at that speed!

So networking specialists came up with proxies that cache data, which means they save the content that could be retrieved repeatedly much faster than from the original server. Data caching was paramount for a better connection speed, and it is still widely used today.

3.   Brands you know use proxies daily

Netflix, Amazon, Google, Steam, and many other renowned brands use proxies. Let’s take Netflix as an example. It has an enormous amount of high-res video content and millions of users watching it, which requires a lot of resources. Netflix and Steam both use CDNs (content delivery networks), which essentially are networks of proxy servers that distribute the content to ensure the best possible connection.

Countless businesses across the world rely on proxies for web scraping, market research, and ad verification. Some rely on forward proxies to switch IP addresses and gather business intelligence from competitors and e-commerce websites. Meanwhile, others use proxy servers in different countries to inspect whether their ads are displayed and localized correctly.

4.   You can get more streaming content with proxies

Did you know that different geographical regions have different streaming service libraries? Netflix and Disney+ offer different libraries in Europe than in the US, while BBC iPlayer is reserved for UK residents only. You miss out on a lot of streaming options using only your regional streaming library.

Instead, you can connect to a proxy server in a different country, and it will assign you a local IP address. For example, connect to a proxy server in the UK from the US, and you can start using BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, or many other geographically restricted streaming services. The same applies to all regions, like connecting to the US from South Africa to enjoy Hulu viral content.

5.   Proxies fight the Great Firewall of China

The Internet is divided into separate regions, with countries like China, Russia, and Iran banning numerous Western websites. Advanced proxy projects, like Shadowsocks, fight for unrestricted Internet access to bypass regional firewall restrictions and ensure information access.

It’s an extremely complex technology that requires a lot of tech know-how and a spoonful of courage to bypass government censorship. Popular private browsing technologies like the Tor browser rely on a network of proxies to mask users’ online activities and hide them from state surveillance.

6.   You can buy anything using proxies

Do you remember how fast the PlayStation 5 sold out initially? It went out of stock so quickly many PS gamers were left empty-handed. However, others managed to buy a bulk of PS5 consoles and then resell them at a higher price. How? They automated shopping using bots and proxies.

E-commerce platforms sometimes restrict stock to one purchase per IP address, especially in high-demand, low-supply circumstances. Because proxies mask the original user address and substitute it with their own, people can place multiple orders from different IPs at the same time. That’s how people get their hands on dozens of new consoles, sneakers, concert tickets, and other exclusive items, while others end up empty-handed.

Marsproxies is your go-to proxy provider

Does any of the above sound appealing to you? Bypassing geographical restrictions and expanding streaming content options is a widely popular workaround that doesn’t cost another expensive subscription.

Currently, MarsProxies holds the best proxy service provider award from PCMag. It aims to be a “proxy for everyone” – from businesses, marketers, and developers to gamers, online shoppers, streamers, and anyone in between. Here’s what MarsProxies has to offer:

Large proxy server pool

By purchasing traffic, you gain unrestricted access to 1 million residential proxy IPs in 190 countries. You also get precise geo-targeting options (state and city level without extra cost), so you can browse the Internet as if you’re anywhere in the world.

Excellent connection speed

Whenever you connect to a proxy in a different country, your data travels a longer distance to reach its destination. I found MarsProxies connection speed sufficient for streaming regionally restricted content without buffering.

Full proxy lineup

MarsProxies offers six proxy types: residential proxies, ISP proxies, datacenter (standard and IPv6), mobile, and sneaker proxies. Residential and mobile proxies are second to none for private browsing and unrestricted Internet access, datacenter proxies work great for web scraping and testing, ISP proxies are a top choice for streaming or gaming,  and sneaker proxies excel at online shopping.

Flexible prices and 24/7 support

MarsProxies datacenter proxies start from just $0.22/proxy, while residential traffic starts from $3.49/GB, which is highly competitive. Businesses with large orders can also negotiate exclusive discounts. MarsProxies support team is available via chat and always ready to help you set up.

Conclusion

I hope you learned something new about proxies today. Keep in mind that Internet restrictions are expanding, so proxy servers and similar solutions are likely to stay with us for a while. If you’re curious to find out more about proxies and how you can take advantage of them, join the MarsProxies Discord community!

Watch this space for updates in the Technology category on Running Wolf’s Rant.

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