Proxies are excellent for privacy and anonymity online. They are quick and typically free solutions for those looking to avoid being monitored when online. However, they’re not necessarily as perfect of a solution as they seem. The safety of proxies depends on how you use them and which ones you use.
Are proxies safe? Paid proxies vs. free proxies
In general, paid proxy services are safe to use. They provide secure anonymity for the user and are typically fast, reliable, and transparent. Make sure to check the reviews for a service before you begin using it; however, most paid programs are authenticated and can be trusted to handle your traffic.
However, free proxy servers are almost never safe to use. They seem simple, and the price is alluring, but many free proxy servers don’t use HTTPS protocol, which means they can monitor your connection. There’s also the risk of malware and cookie theft, which means someone could get access to your passwords and important data.
Some free proxy servers are even set up to be a front for data mining and identity theft. Proxy providers can even take over your browsing sessions.
If you choose to use a proxy, don’t use a free proxy service. Invest in a paid proxy – though it costs money, it’s well worth it for a safe browsing session.
There are also a couple other different types of proxy to be aware of when considering your proxy security. Closed and open proxies work differently, for example; closed proxies are far safer for Internet users than open proxies, though both hide your IP address. Read more about what proxies are and how they work to better understand how proxies protect your online activity.
Which proxy is the safest?
All proxies should be used with caution, but some brands are more secure than others. Here are three trusted proxy companies to use if you’re on the market for a server.
- Smartproxy, which provides several flexible plans to meet your needs, along with a dedicated datacenter to provide private IPs.
- BrightData, which has been recognized as one of the most reliable, flexible, and efficient proxy plans on the market.
- Oxylabs, which is easy to use and receives great reviews from users across the world.
Are proxies safer than VPNs?
Regardless of the proxy you use, it will never be safer than a virtual private network, or VPN. VPNs encrypt your traffic on the Internetwith a secure tunneling protocol.
Though paid proxy services provide a more secure alternative to free proxy services, neither uses the same encryption as a VPN. This makes them more vulnerable to hacking or data interception. VPNs also tend to be more reliable and faster, in addition to being more secure.
VPNs tend to cost more than proxies, so using a paid proxy server is still an option if you don’t want to pay for a VPN. However, if you want total anonymity and security, a VPN may be a better option for you.
