A basic guide to proxy detector and proxy checker. Although proxy check, proxy detector, and even proxy server are now commonly used terms in technology and computing contexts.
There are many people without advanced computing knowledge. People who are still unaware of what these phrases mean and how they may be increasingly relevant to their everyday lives.
So let’s take a simple look at what proxy checkers and detectors are. Why individuals and businesses might need or want to use one. We will even show you how you have probably already used one without even being aware of it!
What is a proxy?
So the first step for the complete novice is to understand what is meant by the phrase. Proxy broadly means to represent someone or something else. In the computing context a proxy, or proxy server, usually refers to the process of using another computer from the one you are using as a hub. Through which you can route your internet data requests.
When you browse the internet, ordinarily your computer transmits packets of data. We will refer them as headers. Sending them to the server of the website you are visiting. These headers contain identifying information about your device. Information such as its unique Internet Protocol number, or IP address as it is more commonly known. Along with details of your operating system and browser.
Therefore to an observing party, whilst connected to the proxy. Your IP address and connection will refer to the proxy machine, not the PC and server you are actually using. The most common reason for an ordinary person to use a proxy server would be their internet service provider. Routinely managing data traffic at peak times and during maintenance periods. Although they are usually unaware of it. Another common place is while using an internet connected machine at work or in their local library.
Transparent or public proxies vs anonymous proxy:
These are usually referred to as transparent or public proxies. They retain a copy of the original user’s IP address and header information which can be viewed later. In the site visited list, and by the administrator of the network.
Beyond this. Anonymous proxy servers, which do not retain this identifying information, are often most commonly used for a basic level of anonymity while browsing the internet. Anonymous proxy servers can be used to circumvent firewall restrictions such as parental, governmental controls, content paywalls to screen downloaded and uploaded files using the proxy connection.
Proxy servers can also provide a number of less commonly known additional benefits. That can include providing cache data to store frequently visited sites. Great in order to speed up common browsing requests across the entire network. It can also act as a form of firewall and filter between your machine and the internet for added security.
Proxy servers can even be configured to totally end to end encrypt your data. Great to prevent the data from being read while in transit. Which is useful for operations handling commercially and legally sensitive data. Along with those who are extra concerned about their privacy and cybersecurity.
What is a proxy detector or checker?
A proxy detector can be used to check your machines internet connection. In order to see if the data is routed through the local device you are using, or through a third party server, or proxy.
This is done by checking the unique IP address of your computer with the HTTP headers of your connection. Taking that info against ones that used commonly by proxy servers providers.
This could be done for a variety of reasons:
An internet user in a country with restricted information. For example by firewalls or censorship, could use a proxy checker to ensure their relative anonymity before searching for incriminating or restricted information online. Although conversely the same process could be used in reverse by government officials. They can do that to attempt monitoring such connections to third party servers they suspect as proxies.
More mundanely, someone such as a school administrator may use a proxy checker to ensure network servers are functioning normally. He can also use it to monitor pupils attempting to bypass firewall restrictions. If it to play games or access social media.
Most commonly in today’s internet environment, media and broadcasting companies and e-commerce sites seeking to control geographic usage of their services. To better targeting their advertising campaigns. This is also another rapidly growing area for proxy detection operations
Fraud, cyber crime, and Proxy Server:
Fraud is one of the largest and growing areas of cyber crime. Proxy detection plays a vital role in the protecting side. Protection e-commerce and drop shipping sites against scam orders and fraudulent data requests.
Proxy detectors have gone from informal collections of code written by individual programmers and web designers to suit their required purposes, to a burgeoning marketplace featuring many different providers. All in the relatively short time frame of under ten years. With several large cyber security companies emerging as the dominant forces in the landscape for business operations.
It should be noted, however, that proxy checkers and detectors are not 100% fool-proof. There must be combined with additional security measures in order to guarantee complete protection.
There are a number of premium proxy servers. Those servers use their continuously rotating header information as a selling point to users wishing to be certain they cannot be traced.
Proxy detectors frequently work by checking this information against a catalog of known proxy headers and internet protocol numbers. The best way is to use proxy servers, along with other more advanced forms of internet anonymity. Include Tor browser, Sock proxies, and virtual private networks, or VPN’s. Due to the way they are working it is often very hard to detect them. By using them is can be able to go undetected by the majority of proxy checkers.
Detecting these advanced forms of proxy usage required additional measures. Which detects information relating to the operating system of the user. Rather than the altered header information provided by the proxy server.
Proxy detection in the near future:
Proxy detection is an interesting and expanding area of the technology and cybersecurity market. This market is sure to only grow further into the 21st century. In importance as the world continues to make wider use of online e-commerce and contactless payment technology as we heading forward.
Cyber criminals and data hackers are constantly creating new ways to try and bypass internet security measures. Proxy detection will continue to grow as one of a number of frontline virtual defenses.