Virtual Private Networks and Proxy Servers are intermediaries between an organization’s network and the public internet. An organization can use either of these services to control the network traffic.
A VPN works on the method of encryption. It hides the browsing data and the IP address of the user from third parties. Whereas, a proxy provides anonymity in data traffic. It helps distribute data traffic while scanning network data to check it against security rules.
This article explains what VPN and Proxy servers mainly are and the key differences between them.
What Is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server is also known as an intermediary server. It works as a gateway between the network and its users. It works as an intermediary between users and the web pages they browse. It works with its IP address, thereby masking the IP addresses of the users. It protects devices by working as a web filter while browsing.
Proxy servers can be set up like firewalls and web filters. It protects devices from internet-based threats. With this, the network traffic reaches the destination address after passing from a proxy server. The server adds privacy, security, and functionality to your data.
Advantages
● Proxy servers hide the user’s IP addresses, making them anonymous. No one can track user behavior and their browsing data.
● Users can access restricted content by connecting to a server in another location. ● Proxy servers are mostly free of cost.
Disadvantages
● Proxy servers don’t provide the same level of security as VPNs do.
● Most of the free proxy servers are unreliable and harmful devices.
● Proxy servers don’t mask the user’s location, therefore compromising the privacy of users.
What Is a VPN?
Like a Proxy server, a VPN also hides the IP address of the users. With it, the data traffic appears to come from another source. It offers comprehensive network security with an
encryption tunnel; the network traffic passes this encryption tunnel between the user and a VPN network.
According to Statista, In the first few months of 2024, more than 32 percent of male users worldwide used a VPN for browsing.
Reliable VPNs secure the browsing experience, especially if public wifi is being used. Unencrypted data is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Therefore, the use of a VPN prevents private information from being exposed.
Advantages
● VPNs hide the IP address and location of the user. Hence, it doesn’t let any advertisement companies or third parties steal your data.
● VPNs can be used with multiple devices. Hence, they are flexible to use. ● Users can use a VPN for their remote jobs. The company’s private data becomes available to the remote employees.
Disadvantages
● Some premium VPN features are costly, preventing users from subscribing to them. ● The encryption process and large data may sometimes reduce the network speed. ● Some of the free VPNs are harmful to the devices. They pose security risks and spread malware.
Key Differences Between VPN and Proxy Servers
Though both VPN and Proxy server serves similar purposes, here are the key differences between them
| VPN | Proxy Server | |
| Security | VPN offers encryption and privacy protection. It ensures secure data transmission among devices. | Procyserves doesn’t offer data encryption and privacy protection like VPN. |
| Protocols Used | It uses the Point-to-point tunneling protocol and Layer-2 Tunneling Protocol. | The protocols used include File Transfer Protocol, SMTP, and HTTP. |
| Working Mechanism | It works with Firewalls and adds an extra layer of protection by data filtering. | It routes traffic from specific applications including web browsers. |
| Private Network Simulation | It allows secure access by stimulating a private network | It doesn’t stimulate a private network over a public one. |
| over a public network. | ||
| IP Address Visibility | The IP address of the user is hidden from the VPN server but not from the client. | The anonymous network ID is used to hide the IP address of the client. |
| Tunnel Creation | It protects data from interception by creating a secure encrypted tunnel, | It forwards message requests and does not encrypt data through the tunneling process. |
| Connection Stability | Reliable VPNs provide stable connection. This prevents network delays while browsing. | Proxy servers usually have unstable internet connections. There are frequent delays and slow downs in the network speed. |
| Traffic Encryption | It encrypts the internet traffic. | It doesn’t encrypt internet traffic as it is only a relay server. |
| Coverage | VPN covers all the internet related activities on user’s devices. | It is specific to certain websites and apps. |
| Use Case | It can be used for secure browsing and remote work. | It is helpful for simpler tasks that include hiding IP addresses while browsing. |
Conclusion
Internet users can enjoy secure and private internet connections using VPNs and Proxy servers. These are two different technologies that serve similar purposes in different ways.
VPNs must be your first choice as they prevent identity and data theft. It creates an encrypted tunnel between the network and your device. Whereas, Proxy servers only encrypt your IP addresses, without masking data traffic. This makes them less secure as compared to VPNs.