Concealing your identity and controlling what websites know about you brings possibilities. You gain access to more varied information sources, can avoid targeted ads, and can increase the overall security of your home or office network. But the fight for online privacy is also about freedom of speech. Governments and corporations want more control over what citizens know and can share. Online anonymity is of paramount importance in countries fighting against oppression. Whether your reasons are political or you simply want more convenience, proxies are the answer. Here, I discuss the three best Proxy Types For Browsing Anonymously.
Why proxy servers?
Proxies are devices set up as gateways for others connecting to the internet. Their function is that of an intermediary. Instead of sending your network requests directly, you first connect to a proxy server in a different location. It then completes your requested tasks (visiting websites, downloading video or audio, etc.) and forwards the result to you.
Simply put, it means you never communicate with a target server directly. Such a process ensures three main benefits for anonymity:
- Your IP address is concealed: Web servers only see the IP address of the proxy server. Some proxies might signal the fact that they are proxies, but in most cases, they are anonymous and do not reveal your identity.
- Your geo-location has been changed: Proxy devices can be placed anywhere in the world, so you will access all the content as if visiting from the location of your proxy server. Your physical location becomes irrelevant as you can change proxies with a push of a button.
- Your network security is increased: One of the first things that hackers or other bad actors must do before a cyber attack is log your IP address. If they are not communicating directly with your devices, they cannot log your IP and try to infect your network.
Why not VPNs?
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can achieve many of these functions in a more user-friendly way. Most people interested in privacy have heard of them and their marketing gimmicks of no-logs policies and data encryption. But there’s a catch, which makes proxies a superior option if you take your time to set them up.
When you purchase a proxy server from a reputable provider, you’ll get complete access to the device. There won’t be any software to guide you by hand, but you’ll get what’s most needed – proxy IP address, port, and password. These can be entered almost anywhere – operating system settings, browsers, browser add-ons, online automation software, web scrapers, and so on.
With VPNs, you only get access through dedicated software, so most of what you can control is the IP location and some additional settings. Proxies are compatible with a lot of neat software, which allows you to choose what level of anonymity online you want.
For example, if you want to simply bypass geo-restrictions, setting them up in browser settings, such as Mozilla Firefox, is the easiest option. If you want to maximize your chances of remaining undetected, you can use something like an anti-detect browser. These clever tools allow you to change your browser fingerprint on demand.
VPNs are limited tools for people who care enough to spend some money but not enough to learn how to use privacy tools. If you want to be truly anonymous online, proxies are the best option because of the variety of applications.
Top 3 Proxy Types For Browsing Anonymously
The location and type of your proxy server are major factors for how much proxy use will affect your internet speed. Fortunately, there are options to choose from. Below, I discuss the best options for anonymous browsing.
1. Static residential proxies
Static residential proxies are the best option in terms of IP legitimacy and, as a result, anonymity. Static here means you get to use one IP address as long as needed. This is super important for cases where you need to perform longer actions on one website, for example, shopping online.
Residential proxies are created by running physical household devices in residential areas. It’s like asking your friend in another country to share his PC connection with you. If you buy residential proxy, all websites will see that you are a genuine user and not someone who wants to guide his identity.
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2. Rotating residential proxies- Proxy Types For Browsing Anonymously
Rotating residential proxies takes the second place for anonymous browsing. They are a bit less versatile for most use cases of casual browsing or e-shopping, but rotation lowers the prices a bit. Most providers will bill you only for the bandwidth you have used with these proxies.
If you have a small project in mind or need proxies just occasionally, you’ll save money when choosing rotating residential proxies instead of static ones. However, rotation might affect the performance, so you need to consider whether a longer waiting time is acceptable. If it’s not, then datacenter proxies should be your pick.
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3. Datacenter proxies- Proxy Types For Browsing Anonymously
Datacenter proxies are created virtually on powerful servers in large commercial hubs used for hosting websites, storing data, and similar tasks. These proxies can be used as rotating or static, but it’s more common to choose a rotating option to increase the IP legitimacy.
If you aren’t careful, you might need to prove you are a legitimate user often, which will slow your performance. Datacenter proxies can be problematic when it comes to IP blocks and CAPTCHAs, as these IPs are easily recognized as proxies by websites.
Datacenter proxies are best for data-intensive tasks, such as data collection, video streaming, or gaming. If you need to focus on most anonymity, I suggest going with residential proxies, and that’s why datacenter proxies don’t top this list.
Conclusion on Proxy Types For Browsing Anonymously
If you’re at least a bit tech-savvy, you’ll be better off with a proxy server than with any other privacy tool. There are some differences between proxy types, but static residential proxies are the best choice when it comes to anonymous browsing.
Interesting Reads:
Using Your Real IP Address: 10 Most Common Threats and How to Avoid them
Proxies as the Business Cybersecurity Arsenal
Breaking Barriers: Conquer Geo-Restrictions with a Web Unblocker
