Choosing between different types of proxies is not an easy thing to do. You need to understand how all of them work and what kind of proxy configuration is best for your needs.
Only after you understand all of these things can you make an informed decision about proxies. However, who has the time to do all that? Exactly. That’s why we’ve dedicated ourselves to helping you understand the differences between an HTTP and SOCKS5 proxy.
We will talk only about the essentials you as a user need. That will help you understand the core features of these proxies and pick the right one for your needs.
HTTP Proxies Defined
HTTP or “HyperText Transfer Protocol” is one of the foundations of the whole internet. It’s vital to the process of exchanging data online. This protocol is text-based and connectionless, allowing resource fetching with ease. If you are interested more about HTTP proxy, you can find useful information here https://smartproxy.com/proxies/http-proxy.
Simply put, this protocol allows web users using browsers to send requests and get videos, images, pages, and other data elements. When the request has been executed, the connection ends between the server and the web browser.
It means that every new request establishes a brand new connection that is made explicitly for that request. HTTP proxies work on these connections.
How HTTP Proxies Work
An HTTP proxy works as a content filter similarly to other proxies. It analyzes all the traffic to recognize malicious content. However, these proxies are made specifically for HTTP connections. They use the same server-to-client model located between these two entities.
HTTP proxies transmit and send out requests made by the web browser and deliver back all the data requested in an HTTP format. At the same time, it enforces all the HTTP compliances while ensuring there are no buffer overflow attacks.
These proxies use the main web protocol, which allows them to interpret data that is being requested and sent to the user.
SOCKS5 Proxies Defined
It’s another proxy that uses a known internet protocol, SOCKS. SOCKS is short for socket secure, and this protocol is used for tasks that require a lot of traffic. That includes things like sharing between P2P platforms or streaming content.
Socks relies on TCP connections to receive and send data, ensuring safe delivery. SOCKS5 is the latest version of this protocol. Naturally, it’s also the best in terms of safety and security. SOCKS5 proxies use this protocol to handle requests on behalf of the internet user.
How SOCKS5 Proxies Work
SOCKS5 proxies route internet traffic using a TCP connection. Similar to other types of proxies, SOCKS5 hides the IP address of the user, which helps unlock geo-blocked content. However, these proxies can’t understand web data like HTTP proxies.
In most cases, these proxies are used to establish communication with sites that regulate visitor access or use some kind of firewall. But SOCKS5 proxies can use all kinds of ports and network protocols. They aren’t limited to SOCKS only.
SOCKS5 Proxy vs HTTP proxy (Pros & Cons)
SOCKS5 Proxy Pros
● SOCKS5 proxies offer access to blocked or censored addresses. Regardless of what kind of block was imposed, this proxy is perfect for unlocking content.
● This type of proxy ensures that you receive the data that you’ve requested from some services. At the same time, they boost your communication speed and data transfers faster.
● These proxies don’t rewrite data packets leading to fewer mistakes. Data packets are smaller, making transfers smoother.
SOCKS5 Proxy Cons
● These proxies third-party servers to route data. If these servers are unsafe, your data might be compromised. You have to ensure that you buy SOCKS5 proxies from reliable providers.
● SOCKS5 proxies are usually offered as shared services, which means that speeds can be unreliable, but this depends on the provider.
HTTP Proxy Pros
● HTTP proxies check all the data that is being sent to you. It ensures protection from all kinds of spyware or malware.
● These proxies let you block content that is going from the public server to the LAN connection.
● HTTP proxies are great at bypassing a variety of security controls. That’s why they are often used for web scraping.
HTTP Proxy Cons
● HTTP proxies can get slower over time as your cache will build up. But this issue is fixed easily by cleaning the cache regularly.
Which Is Best And When?
Even though both of these are good overall for security and anonymity, HTTP proxies are used more for cybersecurity and email protection as they understand data. It makes filtering better and recognizing malicious content. At the same time, this feature is also very useful for web scraping.
On the other hand, SOCKS5 proxies are better for getting access to locations with firewalls because they are not limited to any protocol. SOCKS5 proxies are overall better for uploading, sending, and downloading data. SOCKS5 proxies are better for scraping processes.
Proxy Protocol Conclusion
These two proxy types are definitely different for organization use. You need to assess your needs to figure out which one is best for your business.
