Understanding the different types of Proxy Servers

Proxy servers are typically simple servers (a computer system or an application) that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. Here are some guides on How to copy HA-Proxy Configuration file from one Node to another on Proxmox VE and How to Setup forwarding on an HA Proxy.

Depending on the purpose, you’ll be able to get proxy servers to route any of these common protocols. There are many different types of proxy servers out there. Some of those types are listed below.

Types of proxy servers:
1: Anonymous Proxy
The anonymous proxy server identifies itself as a proxy server but does not make the original IP address available.An anonymous proxy server is detectable but provides reasonable anonymity for most users.

2: High Anonymity Proxy
High Anonymity proxy server does not identify itself as a proxy server and does not make available the original IP address.

3: Reverse Proxy
A Reverse proxy is tech­ni­cally defined as being a proxy server, how­ever it does not enforce any local poli­cies. Reverse proxies are com­monly used to pass requests through the Inter­net, through a fire­wall iso­lated by pri­vate net­works. Reverse Proxy Servers are used to pre­vent Inter­net clients from hav­ing direct, un-mon­i­tored access to sen­si­tive data resid­ing on con­tent on iso­late servers.

4: Transparent Proxy
A Transparent Proxy Server tells the remote Computer the IP Address of your Computer. This provides no privacy. These are generally used for their ability to cache websites and do not effectively provide any anonymity to those who use them. However, the use of a transparent proxy will get you around simple IP bans.

5: Distorting Proxy
Distorting proxy server identifies itself as a proxy server, but make an incorrect original IP address available through the HTTP headers.

6: Intercepting Proxy
An intercepting proxy, also known as a transparent proxy, combines a proxy server with a gateway. Connections made by client browsers through the gateway are redirected through the proxy without client-side configuration. These types of proxies are commonly detectable by examining the HTTP headers on the server side.

Types of proxy servers (protocols):
– Socks Proxy Server:
Depending on Socks protocols, a socks proxy server is a newer protocol that allows relaying of far more different types of data, whether TCP or UDP.

– FTP Proxy Server:
Depending on FTP protocols, Relays and caches FTP Traffic.

– HTTP Proxy Server:
Depending on HTTP protocols.A one-way request to retrieve Web Pages.

– SSL Proxy Server:
Depending on SSL protocols, an extension was created to the HTTP Proxy Server which allows relaying of TCP data similar to a Socks Proxy Server. This one is done mainly to allow encryption of Web Page requests.

I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.