The difference between a proxy and a VPN

Common goal

Proxies and VPN (Virtual Private Network) are two technologies that let you surf the internet anonymously; protect your privacy by hiding your IP address. For the record, an IP address is a number assigned by your ISP to your computer when you connect to the web. This number is identified and provides contact you left your ISP.

What is a proxy?

A proxy server is a computer that provides the customer with an internet connection indirect, which prevents those who use it to go through its own internet connection. Instead, the user connects to the proxy server.

What is a VPN?

It is a technology that creates a secure connection to the user, using sophisticated encryption means. The goal is to prevent malicious interception of internet and data. VPNs are often used to disseminate information to a large population.

Proxies paid or free?

We speak here of pay and proxies private proxies free public not that you can find on the internet but are sometimes of poor quality:

1 / they do not always work and are not always reliable

2 / many users around the world can use them, what makes them so "toasted" by some internet sites that recognize immediately and can be banned.

Compare VPN and proxies

If you just want to remain anonymous on the internet, both methods are valid and will provide the same security. Both methods hide your real IP address. Your traffic will be coming from another server; the real source (your computer and your internet connection) can not be raised.

However, some differences:

1 / A proxy must be configured within the application that you use to connect to the internet (eg you must enter its references within your web browser or other software that connects you to the web ). This leads to three consequences:

- First, all software cannot use a proxy.

- Then all the other applications that will access internet outside the proxy will reveal your real IP.

- Finally, even inside the web browser using the proxy, Flash applications, Java, JS and Active X will not be taken into account by the proxy and show your true identity.

2 / A VPN, conversely, made him go through all of your traffic, which does not restrict you to a particular application. All your applications will access the Internet via the VPN configured in your OS, so it is a complete system. A VPN is also a bit more secure because encrypts the traffic through a tunnel 128-bit (256-bit depending on the VPN) between your computer and the server. The VPN also protects against all malicious attacks: it is a filter.

Conclusion

1 / it all depend on the use you want. If you only want to remain anonymous, a proxy may be sufficient and it is easier to use since there is nothing to install: only returning the proxy address in your web browser or software that accesses internet.

2 / by cons, if you want to be anonymous, but at the same time protect all your data, a VPN is required. It is also useful for users who often connect to public Wi-Fi spots.

Another advantage of proxy in relation to the VPN

It is easy to use multiple proxies and not just one: whether free public proxies or other private pay, it is best to always have a dozen available. Therefore, it is not difficult to switch proxies, especially the lists of public proxies are changed every minute, and you will find thousands of internets. The advantage is: your IP address will never be the same because you will change regularly proxy. This can be useful to prevent a site ban you because you do not recognize.