What are Residential Proxies? – Pros & Cons

Proxy is an intermediate server of the Internet connection between the user and an Internet website. Such a connection scheme helps avoid the direct connection between the user and the Internet; this solution decreases digital fingerprints. A proxy server has an IP address like any other Internet user. It includes information regarding user location, provider, hardware.

The proxy server replaces the user’s IP address with its own, creating anonymity. There are different options for connecting to a proxy server: change settings in the Browser or via special programs to change different proxy servers. In easy words, the proxy server reroutes all online requests from the user’s computer via itself, masking the user identity.

Millions of users use proxy servers to bypass website restrictions, filters, access websites prohibited in some countries to bypass censorship and age bans. Some users even use proxy to write comments and not be tracked afterward; other users have to use them at work to access social media as their employer bans these sites. Using a proxy is absolutely legal.

Some types of proxies

There are many proxy server types and numerous proxy classifications; below are presented the most common ones.

Datacenter proxy

These proxies use IP addresses that never belong to the physical users and are not connected with the Internet Service Provider (ISP). These addresses were bought by hosting providers. The IP authentication will go smoothly on all websites, and anonymity will be kept, but in most cases, such proxy servers typically are used by many users simultaneously.

Shared proxy

Such proxies can be shared between several users at the same time; the IP addresses can be residential or from hosting providers. Thus, even though these proxies are inferior, they can still be used for many online tasks.

– Private proxy

These types of proxies are opposite to the shared ones; access to its IP address is provided only for one user. The address is provided by specialized servers, hosting, Internet provider, and VPN services.

 – Residential proxy

Residential proxy use as their IP-addresses from house owners provided by Internet providers. These proxy IP addresses look the same as standard residential IP addresses. Residential proxy is always linked to the physical address, but they may still be used by the Owner (resident), so there are limitations in time for using such proxy.

Residential proxies are the most popular for Companies, as IP addresses are real and from different locations (countries, towns, regions). Therefore, these addresses always look natural and will not be blocked. In the residential proxies network, only voluntary ones are picked. Companies mainly use them to check how advertisement looks from different locations or to check avia ticket prices.

Residential proxies can be combined with data centers, residential IP addresses will be the same quality, but hosting providers preliminary check them for the most stable, fastest, and anonymous. The user receives, as a result, a proxy server without limitation. Currently, more than 40 million residential proxies are available in the world. Average pricing per residential proxy server is about 50 dollars per 400 proxies and more but mainly depends on the amount of GB transferring via the server.

Residential proxies, it is better to buy on particular resources, free ones maybe not be safe. But, unfortunately, free proxies usually work too slow, are not stable, and very frequently do not work long; anonymity is not ensured, and some providers just collect the user information and sell it.

Residential proxy advantages

  1. Almost all Browsers support proxy servers.
  2. Trustable protection of confidential information.
  3. Private unique IP address.
  4. Possibility to use several devices from one location and have original only one IP address.
  5. Proxy has complete access control. The access to required websites can be set.
  6. The possibility to work with minimum administer rights on each software.
  7. The access to the Internet is executed only via proxy; at the same time, no other protocols are being used.
  8. A proxy can reduce Internet traffic; a proxy server can be used for storage and data cashing.
  9. A corporate network can be protected from Internet viruses without additional hardware.
  10. Internet traffic can be balanced to avoid crashes via proxy filters.

Residential proxy disadvantages

  1. Proxy servers also have cache data that may collect personal information, including passwords and bank details. Unless this information is stolen and the user uses a trustable proxy server, it is safe. The criminals can set up proxy servers that may cause all adverse effects as not using proxies.
  2. The proxy server only replaces your IP address. It does not provide any encryption to the users as Anti-detect browsers or VPN. But solutions with encryptions are more expensive and complicated, of course.
  3. Configuration of the proxy server and the user software can fit each other. But the solution is to find another proxy.
  4. Some proxy servers can be complex in a configuration that may require qualified IT service by a specialist. This work can’t be for free. It is essential to check all gates to protect yourself from hacker attacks.

Suppose the user worries about security and there is no intention to use many filters and firewalls. In that case, a proxy is an excellent solution to decrease digital fingerprints to a minimum amount. Apart from the described ones, there are some other names of proxies: transparent proxies, anonymous proxies, distorting proxies, high anonymity proxies, anonymous proxies. But in general, the main difference is who owners the IP address and how many users are at the same time (private or public). You can always check the quality of your proxy by many available Proxy checkers on the Internet to find if your IP address is on the blocklist or not. Additionally, it checks anonymity level, its efficiency, and its speed. Nowadays, even mobile proxies are available on the market. Advanced users can create a proxy server by themselves using a web domain.

Remember the general rule – it is better to pay some money that receives tons of advertisements and obtain viruses on your computer. If you use a free proxy, at least open HTTPS servers; they are more secure.

Work done by a Team Of Security Experts from Cyber Writes (www.cyberwrites.com) - World’s First Dedicated Content-as-a-Service (CaaS) Platform for Cybersecurity. For Exclusive Cyber Security Contents, Reach at: [email protected]