An IP proxy is a server or software node that acts as an intermediary between a user and a target web resource. When a request is sent through a proxy, the external site sees the IP address of the proxy server rather than the user’s real IP address.
This approach increases anonymity, helps bypass access restrictions, distributes load, and provides an additional layer of security. IP proxies are used for personal tasks as well as in corporate infrastructures, where traffic control, data protection, and correct request routing are essential.
How an IP proxy works
When an application or browser sends a request, it is redirected to the proxy server. The proxy receives the request, modifies or filters it if needed, then forwards it to the destination resource and returns the response back to the user.
Because of this, the external server interacts only with the proxy, while the original IP remains hidden. Some proxies keep request logs, while others completely avoid storing data, ensuring a high level of privacy. In corporate systems, an IP proxy is often included in a chain of network filters and security tools, controlling and optimizing the flow of data.
Types of IP proxies
- HTTP(S) proxies. Work with web traffic, support rules for GET/POST requests, and are often used for website scraping, testing, and bypassing restrictions.
- SOCKS proxies. Operate on a lower level and support any type of traffic — from web to applications, games, and P2P. They are more flexible but more complex to configure.
- Rotating proxies. Automatically change IP addresses at set intervals. Used for data scraping, anti-fraud processes, and large-scale parallel requests.
- Datacenter proxies. Fast and inexpensive, hosted in data centers. Suitable for automation but less effective at mimicking real users.
- Residential proxies. Use IP addresses of home internet providers, making traffic appear as genuine user activity. Commonly used in ad verification, price monitoring, and on platforms sensitive to abnormal traffic.
- Mobile proxies. Operate via mobile carrier IPs. Ideal for tasks requiring maximum trustworthiness due to mobile network characteristics.
Tasks solved by IP proxies
IP proxies help hide the user’s real address, manage access, distribute load, and filter unwanted requests. They reduce the risk of attacks, allow isolation of internal services, and simplify employee monitoring within corporate networks. For large volumes of website requests, a proxy prevents blocking and rate limiting. It is also used for competitor analysis, verifying correct ad display, bypassing regional restrictions, and automated testing of web services.
Where IP proxies are used
One example is a company checking how its ads appear in different countries. Specialists connect to proxies with the required geo and check the output as if they were located elsewhere. E-commerce companies use proxies to monitor competitor prices across regions. In corporate environments, an IP proxy is used to monitor employee activity, filter malicious websites, and protect internal services from direct access. Developers use proxies to safely test APIs and web applications by isolating real addresses from external requests.
Advantages
Using an IP proxy increases privacy, improves security, and helps avoid restrictions imposed by websites. It expands testing capabilities, provides more flexible traffic management, and reduces the risk of data leaks. In corporate infrastructures, proxies simplify access management to online resources and minimize potential external threats.