What is the difference between a VPN and a proxy server

A VPN and a proxy server let you route internet traffic through an intermediate server but work differently. The main difference is in the way of connecting and the protection of transmitted data.

Let’s look at how these tools are built and in which situations they can be useful.

What a proxy server is

A proxy is an intermediate server through which a user’s internet traffic is passed.

When connecting through a proxy, the original IP address is replaced with the IP address of the proxy server.

The original material notes that a proxy does not slow down the internet connection and is simpler to use than a VPN.

At the same time, to work with different applications a proxy may need to be configured separately.

For example, separate setup may be needed for a browser, an email client or a video streaming service.

An important feature of an ordinary proxy is that by itself it does not encrypt transmitted data.

Although the user’s original IP address is hidden from the destination server, the transmitted information may remain open to interception.

So when using a proxy you need to take the specifics of connection protection into account.

What a VPN is

A VPN is a virtual private network that lets you route internet traffic through a protected connection with an intermediate server.

A VPN helps hide the original IP address from the destination resource and encrypts the data transmitted between the user’s device and the VPN server.

This can increase the security of transmitting information over the internet.

Unlike a proxy, which sometimes has to be configured separately for different programs, a VPN can work at the level of the whole system.

After setup the connection is used by the applications running on the device.

One possible disadvantage of a VPN is a lower internet connection speed.

This is due to additional data processing for encryption and passing traffic through an intermediate server.

However, the degree of impact on speed depends on the connection conditions.

When choosing a VPN it is important to pay attention to the provider’s reliability and the security terms, including data protection when connecting and disconnecting.

The difference between a VPN and a proxy in how they work

Historically, proxy servers were used to bypass geographic content restrictions and change the IP address when viewing web pages.

Later VPN services began to be widely used for similar tasks.

Although these tools have common features, their principles of operation differ.

A proxy server acts as an intermediary between the user and the destination resource.

When the user sends a request, the proxy accepts it and forwards it to its destination on its own behalf.

As a result the destination resource sees the IP address of the intermediate server and not the user’s original address.

Such a scheme can be used to bypass geographic restrictions.

A VPN also routes traffic through an intermediate server, giving the destination resource the impression that the request comes from it.

However, a VPN additionally uses an encrypted connection.

How data protection differs

Connecting to an ordinary proxy is usually simpler because it does not require creating a separate encrypted tunnel.

Some proxies provide authentication, but the main task of such a server is to accept the user’s request, forward it and return the response received.

A VPN works differently.

The data transmitted between the user’s device and the VPN server is encrypted.

This limits the ability of third parties to view or change the transmitted information on this section of the connection.

The original material stated that the internet provider and other participants in the data transfer cannot read or change the information inside the VPN connection.

Encryption requires additional computing resources, so a VPN can create extra load.

At the same time on modern computers the difference in speed may be barely noticeable if the server is relatively close to the user.

The original article notes that in many situations a VPN can replace a proxy.

However, an ordinary proxy does not provide the same set of privacy and data protection capabilities as a VPN.

What to choose: a VPN or a proxy

For relatively simple tasks related to changing the IP address and routing traffic, a proxy server may do.

If you need to transmit confidential information or solve tasks that call for extra protection of the connection, you should consider a VPN.

In both cases it is important to choose a reliable provider.

Pay attention to how the service handles user data and how it earns its income.

It is especially important to consider whether its business model is linked to selling user information or using personalized advertising.