CybersecuritySoftware

Understanding Proxy Servers: How They Work and When to Use Them

Proxy servers act as intermediaries between users and the internet, masking IP addresses and enabling access to restricted content. While useful for basic privacy, analysts suggest they lack the encryption provided by VPN services and come with significant security limitations.

What Are Proxy Servers?

According to reports from technology experts, proxy servers function as intermediary layers between internet users and the web. Sources indicate these servers originated from the need to organize complex computer systems but have evolved to address modern privacy concerns. The US National Institute of Standards and Technology defines proxy servers as systems that “service the requests of their clients by forwarding those requests to other servers,” according to their technical documentation.