What is Proxy Protocol and Proxy Server

In this article, we will introduce:

• What is Proxy Protocol

• What is Proxy Server

• The Role of Proxy Protocol

• Common Proxy Protocol

What is Proxy Protocol

A proxy protocol is a set of rules used to define how to transmit data through a proxy server in a computer network. It is like a "work manual" that tells the proxy server how to process and forward your request.

What is a Proxy Server

A proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary. It receives your request (such as the website you want to visit) and then gets the required data on your behalf. It can help you hide your real IP address.

The role of the proxy protocol

The proxy protocol defines the rules for how the proxy server and you (the client) communicate. These rules include how to send requests, how to receive responses, how to process data, etc. In short, the proxy protocol ensures that the information exchange between the proxy server and the client proceeds smoothly.

Common proxy protocols

1. HTTP proxy protocol

Scenario: The proxy server you use when browsing the web usually uses the HTTP protocol.

Explanation: HTTP is a protocol used to transmit web page content. HTTP proxy servers process web page requests from browsers and send web page content back to your browser.

2. HTTPS proxy protocol

Scenario: The proxy server you use when performing secure online shopping or banking transactions usually uses the HTTPS protocol.

Explanation: HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP with added encryption. HTTPS proxy servers not only forward requests, but also encrypt data to ensure the security of your information.

3. SOCKS proxy protocol

Scenario: The proxy server you use when you need to transfer files through a proxy server or use certain applications that do not support HTTP.

Explanation: SOCKS  is a more general proxy protocol that supports multiple types of network traffic, including web browsing, file transfer, etc. SOCKS proxy servers forward data packets to the target server and can handle more types of network requests.

Proxy protocols are rules and standards that ensure smooth communication between proxy servers and clients. Common proxy protocols include HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS. LunaProxy provides a variety of proxy types, including dynamic residential proxies, static residential proxies, etc., and supports HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5 protocols. If you don't know which protocol to choose, choosing lunaproxy can help you solve this problem.