Which is better: Proxy or VPN. How to make the right choice

For many users, the issue of security, keeping their own data confidential, or bypassing existing site and node blockings is an important one.

To solve all these problems we use so-called proxy and VPN servers. Functionally, they are very similar, but have a number of characteristics that make them significantly different from each other. Both options should be considered in detail so that the user can determine the program that is best suited to his or her needs.

What are the features of a proxy

As such, current proxy servers offer the user secure and anonymous access to the network. The name of the program, the proxy, can be translated into Russian as a cross between “bridge” and “intermediary”. It is the intermediary that is the proxy server. The principle of their work is to receive and send data coming from and to the user, transfer them to the target resource. There is a proxy server between the site and the user that accepts all requests and redirects them to the recipients.

Working through an anonymous proxy means protecting inbound and outbound traffic that is difficult to track by special software or in a targeted attempt to detect the exact real location of the user and their PC.

The advantages of this type of connection include a large variety of available servers, connection options:

• by manually configuring the configuration file and its parameters;
• automatic settings via configuration file;
• Installation of individual applications whose main function is to create or connect to proxy servers;
• Use of specialized applications for individual programs through which the network connection is made.

Browsers are examples of specialized programs and extensions installed on them. You can enable proxy in your browser by using the installed add-ons, which are full-featured proxy launch systems. Or there are browsers where the proxy function is standard.

Quote: TOR and Opera browsers offer proxy as standard functions.

The disadvantage of this method is the poor security of such a connection. Often, proxies do not allow encryption of data when receiving or transmitting, or the presence of such a function significantly reduces the speed of incoming and outgoing.

If you need an application whose main function is to help bypass the locks, it makes sense to consider not only the proxy, but also the VPN.

Features VPN

The main competitive advantage offered by a VPN, a proxy like this, is the presence of multiple encryption modes. In other words, complete protection of all user data. Starting with:

• data transmitted by the user to and from the target node to the user;
• anonymity on the network, change of IP address;
• Hiding any real personal data of the user, protection from any attempts to access it.

Use the VPN proxy to bypass site blocking. Both of these methods allow you to bypass the existing and most popular locking methods: both by IP address and by using geolocation.

Bypassing blocking involves accessing sites that are banned for users with ip addresses in certain countries. Alternatively, the user can visit a site where he or she has until recently been blocked by his or her personal ip identifier.

Another type of blocking, which is easily done by means of a proxy server or VPN, it is all sorts of restrictions on user data – a primitive example can be called the presence of advertising in the browser, based on search queries and history of visits to sites by the user. If you use a proxy or VPN history, you can keep it a secret, thus eliminating the possibility of displaying the most appropriate variants for advertising. Similar to advertising content, various malicious programs cannot receive user data. The main purpose of these is to steal personal data, ranging from local files on a PC to payment card numbers and codes that the user paid for online purchases.

Adjustment features

Parameters of vpn proxy in the configuration differ insignificantly and there are several variants of how to make the configuration by yourself or with the help of automatic process:

• For manual settings, the user will need all the data from the server to set up the connection to the server;
• automatic mode can be divided into two types: by means of a configuration file that will write all server data in the connection settings window on its own, or by using separate programs that change the settings at the moment of switching on and return the normal network connection settings when they are switched off;
• The easiest method of connection is to use a browser with built-in proxy server or vpn functions or to install such functions as separate extensions.

Quotation: VPH or proxy extensions in the browser are presented in a wide range of products. All you have to do is log in to the extension store, type in the name and get several options.

Features of installing extensions and selecting them

As the easiest way to install a proxy or VPN, we can use extensions for the popular Google Chrome browser. To do this, go to the extension store, use the browser menu and type “Proxy server” or “VPN” in the search field. After that, several options will be offered, any of which can be installed. Once installed, the function can be activated or deactivated by simply clicking on it.

Quote: It is not necessary to put several proxy or VPN extensions into the browser – their simultaneous operation is either impossible or the programs will start to conflict and it will lead to failures. Not to mention the fact that the use of several programs of this type will lead to a significant decrease in computing power of the PC and slowdown of other applications.

In case of installation of VPH or proxy for bypassing locks it is necessary to be convinced not only that they allow to get access to the sites prohibited earlier, but also provide worthy speed of connection. If thespeed is low or the connection to the nodes is low, or the data downloads, the network will be slow and uncomfortable for the user, it is worth replacing the selected extension. Sampling and comparison can be used to find the optimal extension, which performs the main function – bypassing the site blocking and provides high-speed network connection.

In order to find a fast proxy server or VPN, you should measure your regular speed on specialized sites. For example, 2ip. There you can find out all the main connection parameters:

• the incoming speed;
• outgoing speed;
• ping values;
• your real ip address.

And then, by connecting a proxy or VPN, you can measure again and make a comparison, based on which you should choose the best VPN or proxy server.