A comparison between VPN and Proxy is here for you. If someone were to ask you, “Do you prefer to use a VPN connection or a Proxy when surfing the Internet?”, what would your answer be? It is possible that you are not even clear what the person asking you is referring to. Or maybe you do know, but you are not clear about which of the 2 is more convenient for you at any given moment.
Don’t worry, because in this article we are going to explain what a VPN is, what a Proxy is, how they differ, and how to know which one to use when it is most convenient for you. We are sure that after reading this article all your doubts will be cleared up and you will know which of the 2 tools best suits your needs.
What is Proxy and what is it for?
We don’t want to scorch your brain, so we are not going to give you very complicated explanations about these concepts. A Proxy is a server that acts on your connection between the device from which you connect to the internet and the website you are going to visit or the content request you are making at that moment. Thus, the web page will not receive your real connection data, but those of the proxy server, preventing the pages from actually locating you.
What can this be practical for? Well, Proxies are used to access certain content blocked at your location such as web pages or, especially, streaming services. It is also used to control access to internet users by companies. In the current times of increasing teleworking, it can be very useful to give access to your workers or deny access to unauthorized people, such as hackers.
Finally, Proxies are often used as local cachers. These servers store all the necessary information. In this way, when you have to access a web page continuously, the server will deliver the request with the content so that you can avoid the inconvenience and loss of time.
Do you have a little clearer what a Proxy is? That’s perfect. Let’s now analyze what a VPN is.
What is VPN and what is it for?
A VPN connection has certain similarities with a Proxy. When you connect to the internet with a VPN connection, this connection will also be made through one of the servers that VPN providers have around the world. So, as with a Proxy, your connection will be masked from websites or internet providers.
On the other hand, with a VPN, a virtual private network will be created that will serve to prevent unwanted people from accessing this network in the business environment. What is the main difference between a proxy and a VPN? The VPN adds additional protection to your connections that Proxies do not offer. VPNs are accompanied by A-256 encryption (a system that has not yet been breached by hackers) that will allow you to browse securely, as well as privately.
So we can say that if your main objective is to have your Internet connections shielded to avoid any loss of data to malicious companies or individuals, your best option is to choose a VPN connection. This is very necessary, especially if you travel abroad for work or leisure and have to connect continuously to a public network. This type of network is a focus for fraudsters and cybercriminals who can access your device much more easily and obtain all the information they need for their benefit.
VPN and Proxy: Conclusions
That said, to summarize, if what you need is simply to hide your IP address or your location to a website done in a perhaps slightly simpler way, a proxy will suffice. If what you need, in addition to hiding your IP and location to access certain content or get better prices on your online purchases, is to surf the web more securely, even when accessing from public places and networks, your best option will be to use a VPN connection.
We hope that this information has dispelled your doubts about what Proxies and VPN connections are and which one is closest to your real needs when it comes to surfing the Internet.
