A proxy server It is a PC that can be connected as an interface between two computers or networks. It assumes an intermediary function, receiving requests and transmitting them with its own IP address to another network. Proxy servers can be used on the Internet to hide the IP address.
Definition
The basic meaning of the word '' 'proxy' '' is "the agency, function or office of someone who acts as a substitute for another" (Merriam Webster English Dictionary). So the main purpose of a proxy is to act as a surrogate.
Internet or network solution
Proxy servers are used for both the Internet and proprietary networks. In principle, anyone can configure their own proxy server.
Network proxy
A proxy server can also be used as part of a network, known as a network proxy or network proxy. Two communication partners can exchange files or requests without the actual network address being transmitted. Furthermore, a connection can be determined when both network addresses are not compatible.
Dedicated proxy
A dedicated proxy or dedicated proxy not only connects two communication partners, but also has a direct effect on the form of communication. You can manipulate, filter, or cache the data packets that are sent to you. Caching is widely applied, primarily on the Internet. This makes the requested files more quickly available to the Internet user. For data transmission, the dedicated proxy can read and apply various protocols such as http or ftp.
Circuit level proxy
A circuit level proxy or circuit level proxy is typically installed on a firewall. It works independently of the network protocol as a filter for traffic from specific addresses or ports. Thus, the generic proxy, as it is also called, can request authentication for the use of a website.
Features
Proxy servers have various functions. The most common are briefly explained below.
- Interface between home network and public network: You can enter a public website through a proxy. This system is commonly used by universities. Students can log onto the university's network and download e-Media, watch it at home or on the go through a proxy server. Using a proxy provides additional protection against unwanted access to the network.
- Network bandwidth control: Through the use of a proxy, a webmaster can control network traffic. Users and user groups are only assigned certain resources. Control tasks also include monitoring the availability of the server.
- Protection against network attacks: The proxy server is placed between the real data server and the users. Websites that work with confidential customer data, such as online stores, usually use this solution to protect their servers.
- Network registration: Proxy servers are used many times to record network activity. Therefore, harmful access can be identified more quickly.
- Traffic anonymization: Internet users often use proxy services to anonymize their own IP address. In this way, restrictions on the use of a web portal can be circumvented and the webmaster of the web portal accessed with a proxy will not be able to establish the actual sender of the IP request.
- Staging to reduce server load: a proxy server can store the requests that have been sent to it. Since there are server requests, mainly in the use of the Internet, which are repeated, the proxy can deliver the requested information without causing a real load for the server. At the same time, the requesting agent receives the information more quickly.
- Content blocking: In public networks, Internet access can be blocked by a proxy server. In their home network, parents can prevent their children from being directed to websites with pornographic or racist content while browsing. Proxy servers are also used in some repressive countries to censor the Internet to the population. The filter functions of a proxy can also include the elimination of interfering commercial promotion while browsing.
Relevance for search engine optimization
SEOs can take advantage of proxies in their work. Regardless, proxy servers are also sometimes used for black hat techniques.
- Page Visits: For search engine optimization, the use of proxy servers has the advantage that search engines cannot draw any conclusions about common server requests. This is mainly used for automatic site queries, such as SERP rankings, so that the user's IP address is not blocked due to many requests.
- Reverse IP proxy: This type of IP manipulation is used by SEOs as a black hat technique to give their projects different Class C virtual networks and IP addresses. Actually, all websites are on one server. The proxy issues different IPs and Class C networks for requests from the networks.
- Spamming: Proxy servers are also commonly used to send spam requests or spam comments to blogs. Therefore, IP blocking is avoided.
- Analysis of user behavior: Proxy servers can complicate the analysis of web traffic. In this way, it is possible for a German online store to get a lot of traffic from overseas countries or Eastern Europe. This association can be done, because many of the site visitors use a proxy server, and it transmits an IP address from those regions to the server. This "wrong" IP address is stored in the log file.
