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What Is SOCKS5 Proxy?
A SOCKS5 proxy is a more secure alternative to a traditional proxy that protects the traffic within a specific source, such as an application. When you use a SOCKS5 proxy, data packets from the configured source are routed through a remote server. This server changes the IP address associated with these data packets before they reach their final destination, offering greater anonymity online. And because IP addresses are associated with physical locations, using a SOCKS5 proxy as an online IP changer allows you to appear as if you’re using the internet in another place entirely.
SOCKS5 is the most recently optimized version of SOCKS, an internet protocol that funnels web traffic through a remote server. The SOCKS5 protocol builds upon previous versions of the SOCKS proxy protocol to offer advanced security through multiple authentication methods. This means that only authorized users can access SOCKS5 proxy servers.
SOCKS5 proxies offer more flexibility than other types of proxies, while also offering greater security features. In cases where users aren’t primarily concerned with protecting their data with encryption, a SOCKS5 proxy may be preferable to a virtual private network, as SOCKS5 proxies are capable of functioning at higher speeds than VPNs.
SOCKS5 Benefits
Circumvent Unjust Online Restrictions
Geo-restrictions can wrongfully limit access to specific websites and services. These digital barriers use your IP address to identify your physical location, and can sometimes mistakenly deny you access if your location isn’t approved. But a SOCKS5 proxy masks your IP address with its server’s IP address, expanding your access online.
Flexible Traffic Compatibility
Other proxies are only built to handle specific types of data. HTTP proxies, for example, only work with HTTPS and HTTP webpages. SOCKS5 proxies are unique, however, because they’re capable of interpreting and working with almost any protocol, any program, and any type of traffic without limit. Additionally, SOCKS5 proxies are ideal for P2P traffic because they can transfer smaller data packets than other types of proxies, resulting in faster download speeds. This means you can increase your security and anonymity no matter what you’re using your SOCKS5 proxy for.
Fewer Errors & Better Performance
Unlike other proxies, SOCKS5 proxy servers don’t rewrite data packet headers. This means SOCKS5 proxies are less likely to mislabel or misinterpret your data, and less likely to route your data to the wrong location. Because SOCKS5 proxies produce far fewer errors than other proxy types, they improve your performance and speed.
Should I Use a SOCKS5 Proxy or VPN?
While SOCKS5 proxies do provide a few of the same benefits as VPNs, they’re not a VPN replacement. You shouldn’t use them together, however, because routing your traffic multiple times will likely result in slower speeds. To determine whether you want to use a SOCKS5 proxy or VPN, you should first decide what your priorities are.
Use a SOCKS5 proxy if: you’re looking for increased online anonymity but want to achieve the fastest browsing speeds possible.
Use a VPN if: you want to protect your online privacy with encryption.
For more information about SOCKS5 proxies vs VPNs, refer to the comparison table below.
SOCKS5 Proxy vs VPN – At a Glance
| SOCKS5 Proxy | VPN | |
| Encryption | SOCKS5 proxies don’t encrypt your data. | VPNs encrypt all your network traffic, ensuring that no one can snoop on your activity. |
| IP Address | SOCKS5 proxies alter your IP address. | VPNs alter your IP address. |
| Speed | SOCKS5 proxies are faster than a VPN because they don’t encrypt your traffic. | VPNs are acutely slower than your normal internet speed, as they encrypt your traffic. |
| Ease of Use | SOCKS5 proxies are manually configured, which is not difficult, but requires some technical knowledge. | VPNs are run from an app downloaded to your device, which makes it extremely easy to use by anyone. |
SOCKS5 and VPN: 2-for-1 Deal
Still not sure whether you want to use a SOCKS5 proxy or a VPN? No problem. When you buy IPVanish VPN, you get the best SOCKS5 proxy as an added bonus.
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IPVanish SOCKS5 Proxy Locations
IPVanish maintains a global network, with SOCKS servers in more than 30 locations worldwide.
Albania
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Mexico
Moldova
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
See the complete SOCKS5 proxy list in our Support Center.
SOCKS5 Proxy vs HTTP Proxy: What’s the Difference?
HTTP proxies come with limitations. They’re strictly designed to work with HTTP and HTTPS protocols. This means you can only use HTTP proxies for web browsing. SOCKS5 proxies, on the other hand, are compatible with any protocol, which means they can be used for a greater variety of functions.
Setup is another important distinction. All proxies are configured using ports. Ports are communication endpoints that are located inside your computer. They’re assigned numbers and correspond to specific protocols. Because HTTP proxies are limited in their protocols, they can only use a specific port number. But since SOCKS5 proxies are compatible with more protocols than HTTP proxies, they offer more flexible configurations when it comes to ports.
There’s also the matter of security. SOCKS5 proxies offer bolstered authentication features, so that only authorized users can access them. This means your data is better protected as it’s transferred. HTTP proxies don’t offer the same authentication options, however, meaning they’re not as secure as SOCKS5 proxies.
SOCKS5 Proxy vs HTTP Proxy – At a Glance
| SOCKS5 Proxy | HTTP | |
| Protocols | SOCKS5 works with data from any protocol, program, or type of traffic. | HTTP only works with web traffic in a browser over the HTTP and HTTPS protocols. |
| Configuration | SOCKS5 can use any port. | HTTP works with port 80 and port 443. |
| Security | SOCKS5 offers an authentication feature to restrict unauthorized users from proxy access. | HTTP simply forwards server requests and does not offer user authentication, meaning anyone can use it. |
Should You Use a Free SOCKS5 Proxy?
In short, no. Because free SOCKS5 proxy service providers aren’t charging you, they have to cut costs or find other ways to make money. This creates several problems, making free SOCKS5 proxies both unsafe and undesirable, including:
Slow Speed. Without revenue from selling proxies, free proxy providers cannot offer optimal network infrastructure. This means free SOCKS5 proxies tend to be very slow and unsuitable for daily internet use.
Privacy Issues. Because they aren’t making money off of you, free proxy providers may monitor your traffic for financial gain. This includes selling your data to the highest bidding third parties, and serving you ads as you browse the web.
Potential Malware. In some cases, free proxy providers may be cybercriminals looking to bait victims with an offer that’s too good to be true. These hackers could even infect your computer with malware or ransomware.
These free proxy problems also apply to free VPN services. With IPVanish, though, you can avoid the risk and get both a SOCKS5 proxy and a VPN included in your subscription.
Get a SOCKS5 Proxy + VPN
Premium SOCKS5 Proxy + VPN Features
| SOCKS5 proxy & VPN bundle (2-for-1) |  |
| 40,000 shared IPs, 2,400+ VPN servers in 90+ locations | |
| Lightning-fast speed. | |
| Verified no-logs policy. We don't log your traffic, ever. | |
| Safe access to apps & websites | |
| ...and much more! | |
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SOCKS5 Proxy FAQ
1. What does a SOCKS5 proxy do?
A SOCKS5 proxy routes data packets from a specifically configured source through a remote server, and offers authentication methods to ensure that only authorized users can access this server. Whereas other types of proxies are limited to re-routing web-browser traffic, SOCKS5 proxies are more flexible. They can be configured to work with multiple protocols, which means they’re compatible with multiple types of applications, not just web browsers.
2. Do SOCKS5 proxies hide your IP address?
Yes. When you use a SOCKS5 proxy, it routes your traffic through a server, and replaces your IP address with that server’s IP address in the process.
3. What is better, VPN or a proxy?
This depends on your personal priorities. Do you value privacy and security on the internet? Definitely use a VPN, as it protects your data with VPN encryption. On the other hand, if you’re just looking to hide your IP address without slowing down your internet speed, you can use a SOCKS5 proxy. If you’re using IPVanish, you’re getting both for the price of one!
4. How can I get started with a SOCKS5 proxy?
To get started with your own SOCKS5 proxy, simply sign up for an IPVanish plan.
5. How do I set up a SOCKS5 proxy?
Once you’ve signed up for your IPVanish account, you can generate your SOCKS5 proxy credentials from the ‘My Account’ tab on the IPVanish website. A full step-by-step guide is available in our Support Center. If you need additional assistance setting up your SOCKS5 proxy, the IPVanish support team is always available to help.
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