If you’re looking to surf the internet privately and anonymously, you have plenty of ways to do that – one being with a proxy server. Proxy servers act as gateways between your device and the internet.
They communicate with websites on your behalf and, in the process, mask your actual location by showing a different IP address. Anyone keeping tabs on your internet activity will be unable to track it back to your device.
They won’t know who sent the original search request.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Proxy Server
Not all proxy servers are created equal. Some are high-quality and will elevate your web surfing experience. Others that are substandard might do the opposite and put your device at risk. To ensure you get the best proxy server for your browsing needs, consider the following factors.
1. Price
The best proxies often come with a price tag attached to them. The exact cost depends on the provider, proxy type, and performance. The best way to ensure you get an affordable yet high-quality proxy is by conducting your research. Compare prices offered by different providers while keeping a keen eye on the features available on the proxy server.
There are also plenty of free proxies available, but it’s best to keep away from them. Free proxy servers are prone to malfunctions. They may slow your web traffic, interfere with your surfing experience, and put you at risk by exposing your private information.
These proxies are also available to every man jack, meaning you might get assigned the same IP address as another user. This puts you at risk of getting banned by the website you were trying to access.
2. Speed
Speed is another essential factor to consider when selecting a proxy server. Most proxy providers will highlight maximum speeds and bandwidths on their list of services. As a rule of thumb, you want to go for a proxy server with speeds not less than 1 GB/s. The higher, the better.
The two factors that affect the speed of a proxy server are bandwidth and server location. Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data transmittable over a network. Fast proxy servers usually have unlimited bandwidths.
Server location refers to where the proxies are in relation to those of the website you want to access. Closer proxy servers are faster since the data will travel a shorter distance when you are communicating with the site.
3. Proxy Type
There are several types of proxies, and they all have pros and cons. Select the one ideal for your surfing needs. Some servers, such as residential proxies, have a low ban rate but are not as fast.
These are suitable for actions like exclusive sneaker buying or website scraping. Datacenter proxies, by contrast, are quicker than residential proxies but are easy to detect and thus susceptible to getting banned. Use them for simple private browsing or gaming.
You can also go for super proxies, which are fast and not susceptible to bandwidth depletion. These proxies communicate on your device’s behalf via the quickest route. They are ideal for processes that use a lot of bandwidth, for example, downloading large files.
4. Shared or Unshared
Another feature worth checking when selecting a proxy server is if it is shared or private. Shared proxies involve two or more people using the same server. However, just because they are shared, it doesn’t mean they are not ideal.
These proxies are just as suitable for use cases like web scraping, accessing geo-restricted content, and hiding your IP address. They, however, may not be as fast as private proxies. The server’s speed depends on the number of people using the shared proxy.
Regions Covered
You want to go for a proxy provider whose servers cover the regions or locations you want for your IP address. You will most likely find the list of areas covered on the provider’s website. Most reliable providers will have servers in many locations.
Closing Remarks
Your choice of the proxy server depends largely on your internet needs. Go for the one with features ideal for your desired results. As you make your selection, consider these five factors mentioned above. Only then will you be able to select the most suitable proxy server and provider.
