Considering the interconnectivity of the world, online security and privacy have become paramount. As a result, individuals and businesses take their cyber hygiene seriously. Using web proxies is one way they employ to improve their online safety.

However, not all proxies are the same. Paid proxies have advantages over free proxies. In this article, we cover the features of proxies, how paid proxies improve on free proxies, and suitable use cases of proxies.

Key Features of Proxies

Proxies alter users' traffic to perform their functions as intermediaries between devices and the internet. However, they need certain features to do so. Here are some of the key features of proxies:

• Geo-location masking. A proxy can allow an internet user to appear to be connecting from another location. As such, the website server they are accessing would view the traffic as originating from the simulated location. Consequently, users can access geo-restricted content, avoid digital censorship, etc.
• By changing IP addresses and locations, proxies also help provide anonymity. As a result, websites cannot track the activity of users. That said, proxies differ by the level of anonymity they provide. Elite proxies, which confer the highest level of anonymity, are almost always paid proxy servers.
• Access control. Just as a paid proxy server can grant access to certain restricted content, it can also take away access. Companies looking to control the activity of their workers during office hours can use this. So can parents looking to control what their children do on the internet. The subscriber or user of the proxy simply has to implement certain controls and identify restricted or allowed sites.
• While encryption is not an advantage of all proxies, some paid proxy servers encrypt data. They encrypt the internet traffic of their users to provide an extra layer of protection. Paid proxies still vary in the quality of encryption they employ.
• Caching of web pages. Web proxies can cache frequently visited web pages. This allows them to load said pages faster on subsequent visits.

How Do Proxies Enhance Online Security and Privacy

Anonymity and security are two of the benefits of using paid proxy servers. Below are the specific ways that the servers ensure these benefits:

• Prevention of tracking. Websites and advertisers can monitor online activity using digital tracking methods like cookies, tracking pixels, fingerprinting, etc. Proxies stump the trackers by facilitating connection via different IPs and keep your preferences and data private.
• Security over public networks. Public networks are cyber security risks. Eavesdroppers and trackers can intercept data transmissions via the network. Paid proxy servers prevent this through their encryption capabilities.
• Rotating proxies. Web proxies provide security and privacy by allowing users to mask their IPs. However, certain resource-intensive tasks like scraping may still predispose these IP addresses to bans. Paid proxy servers that offer automated rotating proxies help avoid the problem of IP bans. By rotating the proxies, they distribute the task among multiple servers, thus adding an extra layer of privacy.

When to Use Proxies

Proxies are very useful, but some scenarios benefit more than others. Here are some situations where proxies are particularly advantageous:

• Remote work. The nature of the corporate workforce is changing. Hybrid and remote work are gaining prominence. As they continue to do so, companies need to invest in securing their online resources and connections. Dedicated paid proxy servers are one way companies can secure internet connectivity while making resources available. Freelancers can use proxies for the same purposes as well.
• Competitive research. Businesses looking to expand into new markets need to conduct research. Competitor research is one such exercise. However, these entities need to perform their research without exposing their identities. Paid proxy servers are the perfect tool for their purpose.
• Accessing restricted content. Geo-restrictions are one such way that organizations determine which people can view their content. However, it's not always fair or reasonable. For instance, fans of the premier league in England cannot catch Saturday afternoon matches on television. The outdated nature of the reasons makes it unfair. Consequently, one solution for such fans is to use proxies.
• Escaping censorship. Freedom of speech is not as universal as we like to believe. In some regions of the world, certain classes of people are exempt from expressing themselves. Similarly, some platforms are beyond access in particular regions. The changing IP addresses of paid proxy servers help circumvent these barriers to expression where they exist.

Conclusion

Proxies are an access-granting tool thanks to their ability to simulate and mimic locations. However, that represents only a fraction of their functionality. They are also useful as a layer of security for online activities, amongst other things. Fortunately, many types of paid proxy servers are available, and anybody can purchase one. In conclusion, get one to stay secure and anonymous online.