In-depth understanding of overseas proxy IP—Detailed explanation of the differences between proxy IP types

A proxy acts as an intermediary between your device and the websites you visit, masking your IP address and protecting your identity. However, not all proxies are the same. As those who have used them know, there are many types of proxy IPs, each with characteristics for a specific purpose. Therefore, before choosing, you need to understand their differences and how to identify them to facilitate your purchase and identification!

In this article, we’ll explore 7 effective ways to identify different types of proxies to ensure you’re using the right one for your specific needs, so get started!

Here's an overview of 7 ways you can differentiate between the various proxy types:

1. Based on the direction of user access to the Web or the management of user access by the Web, proxies can be divided into the following two types:

Forward proxy: This is the most common type used by individuals. Requests from users are sent to the proxy server, which then forwards these requests to the internet and ultimately to the website's backend server.
The schematic diagram is as follows: Client->Proxy->Internet->Web.

Reverse Proxy: This type is used by websites. The user's request is first sent to the internet and then to the reverse proxy server, which then forwards these requests to the appropriate backend server.
The schematic diagram is as follows: Client->Internet->Proxy->Web.

2. By source This is the most common way to distinguish between proxy types. Based on the source, you can divide the proxies into the following 2 types:

Data center proxies: These proxies are generated from data centers located in specific areas, commonly known as "computer room IPs". They are usually faster and more efficient, but this also makes them easier to be detected by websites.
Residential proxies: These proxies are generated based on the IP addresses of homes living in independent residential areas, completely different from data centers. Therefore, they are less likely to be detected and have fewer website blacklisting issues.

3. Exclusivity is also a very popular way to classify agent types. According to this classification, agents can be divided into the following 2 types:

Shared proxies: This type is cheaper but is usually shared by multiple users, and they are more easily blocked and less stable than dedicated proxies.
Dedicated Proxy (Private Proxy): This type is more expensive because it is exclusively assigned to one user at a time. Therefore, dedicated proxies provide stability, speed, and better performance.

4. Rotation Mechanism According to the IP rotation mechanism, proxies can be divided into the following two types:

Rotating proxy: The IP of this proxy type will change after a certain period of time or after each visit, resulting in a different IP for each rotation. The duration between each rotation is called a sticky session.
Static proxy: The IP of this type of proxy remains unchanged for a long time. It is suitable for long-term use of a certain business and can ensure stability.

5. Currently, IP addresses are divided into two versions: IPv4 and IPv6. Based on this, proxies can be divided into the following two types:

IPv4 Proxy: This type of proxy is more popular among users because it is widely supported by many applications and websites. However, the availability of clean IPv4 proxies is limited, so it is difficult to find a reliable proxy.
IPv6 proxy: This type of proxy was introduced in 2012 and has a larger pool of IP addresses compared to IPv4. However, it is not as widely supported by applications and websites as IPv4 proxies.

6. By protocol Based on the underlying protocol, proxies can be divided into the following three types:

HTTP Proxy: This type of proxy allows access to HTTP and HTTPS websites. User data transmitted through an HTTP proxy is not encrypted, which means it can potentially be viewed or logged.
HTTPS proxy: HTTPS proxy is very similar to HTTP proxy. The difference lies in the encryption of information. Since the data is encrypted, HTTPS proxy is more secure.
SOCKS proxies: SOCKS proxies offer more flexibility because they can be used with any type of website. They provide strong security because their main function is to facilitate the forwarding of data without reading the content.

7. anonymous

Based on the degree of anonymity (the ability to hide the real IP), proxies can be divided into the following 3 types:

Transparent proxy: This type of proxy is often used on public Wi-Fi hotspots and does not change the user's IP address. The user's real IP is visible to websites and other online services.
Anonymous proxy (semi-transparent proxy): Anonymous proxy allows users to change their IP address when visiting websites. However, the website can still detect that the user is using a proxy and may be able to identify some information about the user.
High Anonymity Proxy (Elite Proxy): High Anonymity Proxy provides the highest level of anonymity. It enables users to change their IP address and ensures that websites cannot detect that users are using a proxy. The user's identity remains completely hidden.