When accessing the internet you might need to access restricted websites. It might be difficult because they might be filtered or shut for people outside a specific geographical area. To circumvent the firewalls setup, use of VPN or Proxy helps to maintain anonymity. VPN, Virtual Private Network enables a certain host computer to send and receive data across a public network like it was a private. A Web Proxy on the other hand involves a proxy server that acts as an intermediary between client and a resource server without disclosing the identity of the client.
VPN is more secure than Proxy and that makes it the best choice. When using VPN, each user remains anonymous over the network and the IP address cannot be traced. There is no data sharing and the data sent and received by the client is usually encrypted for maximum protection. With Web Proxies, the data is not encrypted and can therefore be easily deciphered. All your browsing history usernames and passwords can also be seen on the server which leaves you prone to identity theft.
Hackers can easily gain access to your details on Web Proxies because they are easy to intercept. Hackers can use the information obtained to drain your bank accounts and even use your details to commit fraud and crime leaving you on the wrong side of the law. With a Virtual Private Network, privacy is given first priority and no hackers can gain access. There are many choices of protocols that best ensure to keep all your important details hidden from hackers.
When you are accessing websites that are prohibited in your country, the authorities track you easily and prosecute you as per the laws put in place. Both provide some level of anonymity but a Virtual Private Network is far much better. Web proxies can easily be tracked down and you can be arrested easily but with VPN, the encrypted tunneling ensures that your identity will be in no way exposed even to authorities.
Same case applies to accessing sites that are restricted to certain people or areas by the owners. Your IP address is hidden and their servers cannot detect where you are surfing the internet from. A web proxy is only anonymous to some extent and you are likely to find that you have to do it differently every time. This is because your identity is likely to come up and get enlisted in the website owners’ hit list. VPN allows you to stay connected to their servers without any worries of losing your camouflage no matter how many times you visit.
Efficiency and reliability does differentiate the two kinds very much. Web Proxy servers are slower than VPN and will at most times will be marked as spam and websites will block them. Though cheap, the servers have so many maintenance costs and their set up requires a person with great expertise unlike a Virtual Private Network whose maintenance is much cheaper.
The only known secure Proxy is SSL. There are many VPN protocols to choose from but you must first identify all the ones that have been detected so far and avoid them. VPN is therefore better than Proxy if you wish to enjoy a better and secure anonymous browsing on the internet.
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