A web proxy server changes the user’s IP address without the need to encrypt online traffic. This allows the user to browse the web privately, making it difficult for intruders to infiltrate and obtain information about your browsing.
Using a web proxy will also allow the user to access sites that would otherwise be inaccessible. So those websites that you are often denied to at work are now open. This is also true for sites blocked by schools and your internet service provider.
A web proxy works by masking your identity (hiding your IP address) by acting as an intermediary between your computer and the website you want to access. Your computer will request access to the website through a proxy server, after which it will go through the filtering process.
After the process completes, the request will go to the web source. Once the site receives a response, it will be redirected back to your computer, allowing you to view its contents.
Differences between Proxy Server and VPN
While they are similar in that they both provide user privacy, a proxy server differs from a virtual private network (VPN) in approach. VPNs tend to be more efficient when surfing anonymously and provide a more reliable service that usually comes at a cost.
There are many free VPNs out there, but most of the “most secure†ones generally have a price tag. Proxies are often free.
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But as the saying goes, “You get what you pay for,†and when it comes to online privacy, that statement rings true. The proxy server will not encrypt your traffic like it usually does with a VPN. They are also browser dependent and exclusive as you can only use the proxy from your web browser.
VPN is designed for the device it is used on, so you can use it for more than just browsing websites. However, a proxy is a last resort when you need to bypass an online geoblock or just want to surf the Internet with ease.
5 best proxy servers to help you surf the web anonymously
Some web proxies require a fee. Unsurprisingly, the paid versions offer better quality. Higher paying web proxies can compress online traffic, cache files, and even block annoying ads from websites until access is granted. However, depending on what you need it for, a free web proxy will do.
If all you need is to disguise your online identity or sneak through a blocked site, there are several free services available. Enter your domain name into a proxy server and enjoy your online anonymity.
HideMyAss
The most famous and widely recognized proxy server is HideMyAss (HMA). It provides standard hiding your real IP address in addition to pop-up ad blocker to make your internet easier. The proxy is completely free, but if you need extra protection, HMA also offers a paid VPN service.
HMA is a collection of various global VPN proxies. This means you get a very fast and flexible service when using HMA over other proxies. There is an official extension for Google Chrome and Firefox browsers to avoid downloading and installing the full version of the software.
The only issue with using HideMyAss is that it stores both your IP address and the IP address of the VPN server that is currently being used for an undisclosed period. They declare that they do not use the information and only share it with their partner company, the Avast Group, to “comply with the terms of this service, for direct marketing, or to help develop our products.â€
So if you are concerned about this, we have other proxies to choose from.
4everproxy
This proxy server is most important for accessing YouTube and HD streaming services, which are usually blocked based on geographic location. 4everproxy offers unlimited bandwidth and is ideal for anyone looking to access video streaming sites outside their home country.
The streaming quality is good considering you can use it to stream HD video. It is very rare that you will encounter any kind of buffering while using the service. You don’t need to be logged in to YouTube to watch videos. The service also provides an additional security measure by automatically deleting all logged history from your browser every two hours.
ProxySite
ProxySite enhances your online security by using SSL encryption. Like HideMyAss, they offer VPN-like quality when searching. You will be able to hide your IP address, bypass annoying website blocking and gain access to popular sites, while the history logs will be completely cleared.
There are many proxy servers available with ProxySite, including those located in the US and Europe that you can use for free. There is a premium VPN option for additional security features, but a free proxy offers what you need most of the time.
To be clear, a proxy allows you to control cookies, javascript, objects and ads on your page, making it completely capable of anything a typical user might use to do so.
Hide.Me
Hide.me is similarly known to HideMyAss in the sense that it is a well-known and popular web proxy service. Hide.me does not register or store your data. As soon as you exit your browser, the URL used to mask your identity will expire. There are no annoying ads on their websites, and all pop-up ads you get while surfing are automatically blocked in your browser, improving your browsing experience.
Hide.me is one of the fastest proxy servers that allows you to easily change your location, control browser cookies and block malicious scripts. The choice of servers is quite limited, only in Germany, the USA and the Netherlands. The user interface looks very professional and user-friendly.
For a more comprehensive security solution, Hide.me offers its premium VPN service for $ 5.41 per month.
Whoer
Whoer is more than just a web proxy. Apart from the basic proxy security solution, Whoer allows you to change your IP address incredibly quickly. This may sound like something common to all proxy sites, but the speed at which Whoer allows is unmatched.
Whoer website offers tools that allow you to track information on a specific website, check your Internet connection speed, and run a ping test to determine the server response time.
You can manually select from seven to nine proxies available in most European countries as well as the United States. The only annoying problem on the Whoer website is the inability to remove ads. This can be annoying, but it remains inevitable. Advertising is what Whoer supports in business, so you will need to deal with advertising if you want to use this service.
Whoer proxy server is available for Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Yandex browsers.
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