I will assume that you already know what proxy servers are and how they work (case you do not know please refer to the article
How to buy from Amazon or how proxy server works). You already heard terms: transparent, anonymous or elite proxy servers many times, so what is difference between them? First of all please pay attention that proxy servers work in the same way despite the fact to which type they belong. In all cases they are gateways between you and the server you are requesting.
What is transparent proxy server?The transparent proxy servers change your IP to their own one BUT your real IP is still presented in the request. So if the web site (you are requesting) needs to get your real IP they will easily find it in your request (imagine like it is just moved to the different place).
You can think that transparent proxy servers are useless since they cannot provide you a privacy (hide your IP) but do not be so hurry with your decisions. Transparent proxy servers have another advantage - they are faster than any anonymous or elite one (since nobody uses them). For example: if you are going to bypass local firewall then transparent proxy servers are the best solution for you. You do not need to hide your IP from anyone; instead you are hiding the web sites which you are opening.
BTW sometimes transparent proxy servers are good to increase the amount of hits on your web site hit counter (I am sure you will do that only for testing purpose and you will never try to cheat like some other 'dishonest' users are doing
)
INTERESTING: if you are not using proxy server or using transparent one, your PC broadcasts your unique IP address. Every time you are opening a web page, the server where that page is located, has an information about your operating system (OS) and their for automatically exploit security holes in your OS. The one should not be a professional hacker with special knowledge to be able to hack your PC in that case. There are dozens of ready-made, easy to use and (warning) FREE to use software which any kid could use (please stop asking me where to get such tools, how to hack forum or email of your friend, I will not tell you
) With help of such software anyone can get access to all your documents, your private emails, your private pictures or movies you are keeping on your PC - thinking that they are kept safe and hidden from everyone
To prevent such illegal hacking operation there is one solution: you need to hide your real IP, so nobody will know the address of your PC inside the wide Internet network.
What is anonymous proxy server? Anonymous proxy servers do not transfer the information about your real IP address. That means you are like a ghost in the Internet. Nobody has even a clue about your real location and thus they cannot establish illegal connections to your PC for information stealing purposes.
The only POSSIBLE disadvantage could be the fact that web site you are browsing could know that you used proxy server for connection (you may hiding your IP address). From the other hand, if user uses proxy server that does not always mean he is trying to hide his real IP address. In some cases, like when you are using mobile WAP Internet, all users are forced to use proxy server for their connections (basically for monitoring purposes).
That is why the fact that you are using proxy server for connection sometimes will be treated as normal behavior and anonymous proxy server will safely hide your real IP.
What is elite proxy server?Elite proxy servers are the most secure ones, they have all advantages of anonymous proxy server in the subject of privacy (they hide your real IP) plus they are TRYING to hide the fact of using proxy servers for connection. In other words, they behave in the way like you are not using proxy server at all and the IP address you are providing, is your 'real' IP address. The main thing you should know about elite proxy server is that they are more secure then anonymous ones but exactly this makes them very popular among surfers that at the end causes their slow speed.
You can always check how secure your IP is hidden from web site by visiting following link:
Show My IPSo in short way, the advantages and the usage of the proxy types can be described as below:
Transparent Proxy Server:
Anonymous Proxy Server:
- Advantage: average speed, average privacy
- Possible disadvantage: proxy usage fact is presented
- General purpose: most suitable for 99% of tasks
Elite Proxy Server:
- Advantage: high privacy, proxy usage fact is hidden
- Disadvantage: low speed
- Particular purpose: just very few cases when the fact of proxy usage should be hidden
WARNING: all material in this article are for educational purpose only Keep visiting our forum to read interesting articles Needless to say, if you have question related to this article or you are interested in something else, you are more then welcome to post your questions here