What a proxy is
A proxy server sits between a client and the wider internet, relaying requests and responses on the client's behalf. Instead of connecting directly to a website, your device asks the proxy, and the proxy makes the request, then passes the answer back to you. To the destination, the traffic appears to come from the proxy.
Types and uses
Proxies serve several roles:
- A forward proxy acts for clients, masking their address or filtering what they can reach.
- A reverse proxy sits in front of servers, distributing load and shielding the backend.
- A caching proxy stores frequent responses to speed up repeat requests.
For example, a company might route staff through a forward proxy to block certain sites and log usage.
Why it matters
Proxies are common in corporate networks, content delivery, and privacy tools. They differ from a VPN in that a basic proxy often handles only specific applications, like web browsing, and may not encrypt all traffic. Because the destination sees the proxy's IP rather than the user's, proxies can change apparent geolocation and obscure the original source. Many services try to detect and block known proxy ranges. You can check what address a destination would see and look up its details with the WhatIP my-ip and ip-lookup tools.