Intro
KProxy is one of the most highly recommended free proxy servers, with over 1.5 million users every month. It has a long and trusted history and I would’ve given it the top spot if it weren’t for a couple of issues. The best proxy server providers can help you browse the internet anonymously, but their encryption capabilities stretch out to a single web page. After all, a proxy server was created to protect the user and his computer, to surf safely, and to bypass the restriction of the websites that are completely legal but are limited to the territory of a certain country. The review includes the best free anonymous proxy sites. Best Free Anonymous Proxy Sites in 2021 1.1 Hide My Ass. Now more and more Free Web Proxy, Dedicated Proxy, Backconnect Proxy, IP:Port Proxy and more come to the market. There are many proxy services available, Some of the proxies are free, some of the proxies are paid, you may want to find a proxy with reasonable price. But really difficult to determine which is the best proxy service available for your needs.
Nowadays using a proxy server could be the must-have option. For the current year, I faced with two situations when the most popular resources were blocked and I’m talking about Telegram issues in Russia and blocked VK.com in Ukraine. My customer and friend contacted me and requested to solve this complex situation by installing a proxy server.
Let’s get some sort of knowledge about proxy servers and solutions. The most common reason for using a proxy is to hide your real IP and access resources that are blocked in your location. Another reason for using caching proxy servers could be a way to reduce the load on the network, increase throughput, save traffic, monitor the user activities and even block unwanted sites. Another application of proxy server – web sites used for caching of generated pages to speed up loading of sites.
In this article, I will show the best Linux proxy servers in the most popular variants that you can use in configuration.
Linux Proxy Servers
Squid
This is the best Linux proxy server supporting HTTP, HTTPS, FTP and the rest of protocols. It allows increase network bandwidth and reduce the time of sites feedback by caching resources and pages. The pages and sites that are requested often could be used repeatedly. You can configure caching as in operative memory, so on the hard drive if needed to cache lots of data at slow Internet. Also IP rotation could be implemented to have multiple outbound IPs when you surf the web.
Withal, Squid has extra wide opportunities of controlling the access to network resources. You can block not only the obvious queries to domains or certain file sizes upload, but also access to the network at a specific time, work of protocols and ports, and also many other things. Squid supports not exceptionally only Linux operating system, however, initially, it was not so.
Privoxy
This is another caching best Linux distro for proxy server, which is installed on the client side. It supports all major web protocols, but increasingly being used not for content caching, but for filtration and security of user privacy. Thanks to it, you can change web pages, cut out advertisement, control the cookies, limit the access to several web sites, also delete any objectionable content and manage the headings sent by browser.
In contrast to Squid, the program is configured through the quite convenient web interface. Although, at certain points you may be confused. Except of web interface, you can use the configuration file, but it is much more difficult.
Polipo
It is a small, but fast caching Linux proxy server with open source software, which supports HTTP and DNS protocol. Polipo can be used for advertisement filtering, to increase the privacy or speed up the web sites by using page caching. As well as Privoxy it is mainly intended to provide privacy. Program configuration is performed by a web interface, but besides itself, there are several graphical shells for interactivity with program.
Tiny Proxy
Very simple and easy Linux proxy server with basic settings. It is created as a small and very fast proxy that supports HTTP and HTTPS. Despite the lightness of this server, Linux keeps all the necessary functions, such as remote access by using a web interface, based URL filtering of access to resources and so on.
Exa Proxy
This one proxy is intended not for traffic caching, but for its modification that supports by convenient programming language via the HTTP protocol. All the HTTPS connections may be accessed without changing by using the Connect method. Linux proxy server works quickly and has web interface to access of statistics of its work and settings.
Gate.js
It’s going to be something new and very interesting for you to know. This is a full-featured caching proxy server written with JavaScript using Node.js. Being created from scratch it’s intended to replace Squid and Nginx. You can cache the content that makes work of web servers much easier, also speeding up the load of web sites on the client side. The main feature is in scalability; since the program is written in an interpreted language, it can be easily expanded.
Artica Proxy
Is a powerful but easy though proxy server positioning itself as a complete replacement of the Squid. Program keep filtering of Internet and DNS queries traffic, protection from viruses and spam, creating caching rules, and authentication using the ACL lists.
Moreover, here you can find a very detailed statistics page by using which you can learn everything about the program work and network load.
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Best Linux Proxy Distros
CentOS
CentOS proxy server is a free version of commercial Red Hat Enterprise Linux distro, developed by community. They take the initial codes of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, clean it from branding and organize constant release of system updates. It is created with the idea to produce a stable and free OS for enterprises and organizations.
Features:
- CentOS contains only the most stable releases of software packages. This has led to the greatly reduced risk of errors and failures.
- Users who set up CentOS have access to corporate class security updates, because this distribution is closely linked with Red Hat.
- Includes a wide range of security features, including a powerful firewall and SELinux.
Ubuntu
This is the most popular and best Linux server distro. Even if it’s not at the top of the lists among experienced users, the newcomers are definitely like it! This distribution based on Debian and has a regular cycle of new versions releases.
Features:
- There is an easy and simple installer.
- As user interface is used Unity by default. It is kinda different from other OS desktops appearance, but won’t be very difficult to assimilate.
- After system is installed, you will get a wide range of software.
- Popularity of Ubuntu caused a huge amount of software that suits perfectly; you can find it not only at official repositories, but also at side PPA and in Internet.
- There is also a huge number of documentation and articles available in Internet that describes how to configure a system. If you are facing with any problem just try to look for solution in Internet and likely, you will find the answer.
Web Page Caching Servers
Varnish
In contrast to the above mentioned programs, this proxy is designed greater for the work on the server side. It is intended to accelerate the web sites with its modern architecture that gives a significant productivity. Varnish cache saves web pages in memory of server for Apache or Nginx web server program would not generate it again. Web server only updates the pages when content is changing. To get content from the memory is much faster than use a full generating.
Ngnix
Everyone knows how great is this Linux file server distro, designed for operation under heavy load. But besides that, it can be used as a proxy server too. Ngnix can’t cache or filter the contents of pages, so his task is in accepting requests from clients on server, transferring this data to other programs and returning responses to the clients. Why is it beneficial to use? Because the program is optimized for the maximum performance and can take simultaneously up to ten thousands requests from users.
Conclusion
In this article, we reviewed and described the best Linux proxy servers and maybe there are not all the programs that would be worth adding to the list. We hope that this information will be useful to you and if you have any questions concerning mentioned topic, just contact ITsyndicate team to specify the details.
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All proxies are not equal, in fact it’s not even close. Even from a security perspective there’s a vast difference, proxies can provide a safe, secure environment or can potentially steal all your credentials while you use them. Even if you take two similar proxy servers, there’s going to be lots of differences when you start looking in any detail at the hardware, software, configuration and the infrastructure behind them. Just like types of firewall, there are almost limitless options available. However despite this, there are some basic categories that most proxies fit into and can be used to determine what to expect from any specific proxy. Here we’ll look at some of the proxy server meaning and definitions which you may come across online.
There’s no industry agreed standard for proxies, indeed many providers happily label their proxy services with all sorts of flattering descriptions. However there is some common ground on particular proxy types which we can summarise below:
- Transparent Proxy
- Anonymous Proxy
- Elite Proxy
Let’s explain them in order, from potentially the least to most secure.
Transparent Proxy Server
In the modern context of using proxies to hide your location, bypass filters and content blocks the transparent proxy is actually of little use. In the initial days of the technology, transparent proxies were often seen as the most advanced and desirable type of service. A transparent proxy would normally be defined as a server that is undetectable to the client software. Normally the client would be aware of the proxy and in some instances the configuration of the proxy would be defined there too. An example is where the proxy would be defined on the browser such as the port to be used and perhaps even any authentication details required.
Using transparent proxies usually requires a router or similar to redirect requests to the transparent proxy. This would allow the prosy to intercept all HTTP requests and then relay them to the correct location. Typically this could be used in a corporate environment where the proxy could parse requests and then apply any access control rules. Although if any restrictions are applied, it would cease to conform to the more general rule of transparent proxies of simply forwarding requests.
If you see proxies described as transparent online, then it’s likely that it conforms to the more generic definition. That is that data is merely forwarded completely unaltered including the HTTP headers to their destination. A transparent proxy will make no attempt to hide itself and will not filter out any of the information when it forwards the request.
As you can see there are some fundamental conflicts between these definitions depending on the context of the proxy. Outside a corporate network or if you’re looking at a proxy list then it’s probably safe to assume that any transparent proxy listed simply forwards any request it receives. This means that it makes no attempt to hide itself or the client, provides no or little security. It also is very likely to forward the proxy authorization header which contains details of the proxy, operating system and any authentication details.
Basically if you want to stay hidden or hide your location in any way then using a transparent proxy will be of no use whatsoever.
Anonymous Proxy Servers
Next up the anonymity chain are the anonymous proxies, which generally provide some layer of anonymity. Their primary function in this aspect is to hide the IP address of the client making the request. Often this is enough for bypassing many filters and blocks which operate solely on the IP address which is connecting.
So for example many media sites initially started the trend for blocking access based on the physical location of the browser. So for instance, if you tried to watch the BBC from any other country than the UK then you would be blocked. The website would simply record your IP address, check the location that it’s registered in and only allow access if it was in the United Kingdom. In many ways these filters were the reason that various proxy and VPN services became so popular. They have become more and more pervasive and increasingly many aspects of our browsing are tailored to our physical location.
When the BBC for example first introduced these geo-blocks, a simple anonymous proxy was sufficient for some years to bypass them. All it did was hide your IP address, yet did nothing to hide any other details including the fact that it was likely a proxy was being used.
Not all details would be forwarded within the HTTP headers, yet it’s likely that some would be. Examples include things like the proxy IP address, the software used and perhaps the operating systems of the clients. There is therefore some variance in the security offered by this group of proxies, some anonymous proxies are more anonymous than others! Yet nowadays any website which is actively looking at stopping the use of proxies to bypass their blocks would usually be able to identity (and block) this category of servers.
Elite Proxies
So if you want complete anonymity and to hide both your own IP address plus the fact that you’re using a proxy then this is the category you’ll be most interested in. However remember that although you may be promised an elite proxy, that’s not always the case and if it’s important then only deal with specialized suppliers who know what they’re doing.
So what is an elite proxy and how does it protect your privacy? Well like the previous category, the elite proxy will completely hide the client IP address so your exact physical location will not be revealed. In fact this is probably the most accurate definition, a proxy which hides both your IP address and the fact you’re using a proxy. This is not as simple as it may sound and requires both careful configuration of both the proxy software and the underlying operating system.
Best Proxy Server For Windows 10
Although you’ll see the label ‘elite’ all over the place, the reality is that elite proxies are actually pretty rare. However if you want your connection to be completely indistinguishable from a direct client in the target country, then nowadays it’s what you need. This obviously depends to some extent on how proficient the web site you’re visiting is at detecting the use of proxies. However most systems now will easily spot the use of all but the most advanced servers. Most media sites like Netflix and Hulu will easily spot any information leaked in the HTTP headers. Also if you’re using them for e-commerce, all sneaker proxies for example will have to be configured as elite proxies.
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Remember though, although an elite proxy will normally remove all identification there are many situations where that’s not completely necessary. Many websites still only really look at the origin of the IP address and don’t have any advanced detection systems in place. It’s also a fact that if you’re using the internet through a college or corporate network, then it’s likely you’re using a proxy anyway. Most commercial networks enforce proxy connections in order to protect and monitor inbound connections, so a proxy can look completely natural in many situations. It’s likely for example that most social networks won’t automatically block inbound connections from proxies, otherwise they’d be blocking millions of legitimate users too. So do Instagram proxies have to be configured as elite proxies? It’s unlikely that this would be completely necessary, although they might well be flagged for closer scrutiny.
Proxy Server Pro
Which is why simple categorization often isn’t enough to answer the question what is the best type of proxy server? Certainly the elite proxies are the most advanced and provide the highest level of anonymity. However if you try and access Netflix through a super advanced, elite proxy which happens to have a commercially registered IP address then it will be a complete failure. This is because Netflix will only allow access to it’s media sites through IP addresses registered as residential.
Best Proxy Server Free
So no amount of advanced configuration will help if the proxy you are using sits in a datacentre from a commercial IP address range. The best proxy server for one task might be completely different for another. So for anonymity and privacy then an elite proxy or VPN is almost certainly the options to consider for specialized tasks you will need a server configured for that specific tasks. Most commercial providers have started to group their proxies into role based groups to accommodate this, certainly companies like Storm Proxies have gone this route.