The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Proxies

Using proxies has become common, as more and more users want to enjoy the Internet without any restrictions. A proxy server is a simple solution if you are looking for anonymity on the web. But is it good for your safety? Although there are many benefits of proxies, you should remember their weak points too.

Advantages of proxies

Proxies have plenty of strengths as they offer almost unlimited opportunities. Here are some of them.

Anonymity

Proxy servers allow you to hide IP addresses. With the proxy working as a bridge between you and the Internet, anyone who wants to track your location or browsing patterns won’t have any access to this information.

Protection

Proxy servers can be set up to limit access to the web sources known to include malicious scripts, spyware or harmful viruses.  It can be extremely helpful when you want to protect your kids from threats online.

Access to blocked content and services

Using a proxy helps with access to geo-blocked sites. Some websites restrict content to particular geographical areas. Thanks to a proxy, you might change your location online without leaving your home. For example, a Canadian proxy allows you to visit all Canadian web sources that aren’t available in other countries.

Disadvantages of proxies

Like every good invention, proxies have a few disadvantages. Here are some of them.

Connection issues

Many proxy servers (especially free ones) don’t encrypt the connection. Plus some proxies use only an SSL certificate to secure the data. However, it isn’t enough nowadays. That’s why you should choose reliable proxy providers like Fineproxy as they offer HTTP(s) and SOCKS5/4 proxies which are protected better.

Security risk

Although a proxy server is helpful when you want to hide your IP address, your traffic isn’t fully protected. Some proxy providers might monitor your activity online and sell the data.