What is a proxy server?
A proxy server is like an intermediate station for your Internet requests. When you call up a website, the request first goes to the proxy server. It then retrieves the website on your behalf and sends it back to you.
How does a proxy server work
For example, if you want to visit a website, the following happens:
Normally, the web page would be retrieved directly from the server on which the website is located. It is therefore clear that the request is coming from you. However, if you use a proxy server, things work a little differently:
- Your computer sends the request to the proxy server.
- The proxy sends the request on your behalf to the server on which the website is located.
The server with the website only knows the proxy server as the requestor (it does not know anything about you). - The website then sends the response (e.g. the website data) back to the proxy server.
- The proxy server forwards the response to your computer and you see the website.
An example from everyday life: the secretary as a "proxy"
Imagine you work in an office and want to send a message to your boss without him knowing that it came from you. You give the message to your secretary (the proxy), who forwards it. The boss thinks the message is from her. When he replies, the secretary returns the reply to you without him knowing that you are behind it.
A proxy server works in a similar way: it forwards your requests, protects your identity and ensures that communication runs smoothly.
Why do you need the proxy server?
Anonymity
A proxy server can hide your IP address, i.e. your "digital identifier". This means that websites do not know where you really come from. This prevents websites from collecting data about you, for example.
Security
Proxy servers can help protect you from dangerous content. For example, they filter suspicious websites or block certain content in sensitive environments such as school networks.
Bypassing locks
If a website is blocked in your country, a proxy server can help you bypass this block by pretending that you are from another country.
Example: A certain website may only be displayed in country "B". But you live in country "A". You do not send your request from country "A" directly to the server with the website, but to the proxy server located in country "B". This then retrieves the website for you. And since the request comes from country "B", it is delivered. The website knows nothing about the fact that the proxy server then sends the website to you in country "A".
Types of proxy servers
Transparent proxy
This proxy forwards requests without hiding your IP address. Websites therefore still know who you are. It is often used in schools or companies to monitor or restrict Internet traffic.
Anonymous proxy
Here, both your IP address and the fact that you are using a proxy are completely hidden. Websites have no way of knowing that you are using a proxy.
Proxy Browser
A proxy browser, such as proxysite.com, is a website that allows you to access other websites via a proxy server. The proxy browser works in a similar way to a normal proxy server, but you can use it directly via the web browser without having to install anything.
Bonding proxy
A bonding proxy is a special type of proxy server that "bundles" several Internet connections (e.g. LTE / 5G, satellite, DSL) and combines them into a single, stronger connection. This enables faster and more stable internet connections by aggregating the bandwidths of the individual connections. This process is also known as link bonding or signal bonding.
Conclusion
A proxy server is therefore a kind of "intermediate station" that processes requests for you. The data can be controlled, blocked, anonymized or even bundled there. This can give you more privacy, more security or (in the case of signal bonding) a higher internet speed.