When you connect to a proxy, you trust your internet traffic to an intermediary. But can you trust the intermediary itself?
Short answer: Yes, there are risks of data interception.
Long answer: It depends on which website you are opening and which proxy you are using.
This guide will break down the mechanics of data protection, explain the difference between "transparent" and "secure" traffic, and teach you how to recognize unreliable services.
📦 1. The Courier Analogy (How does it work?)
Imagine you want to send a letter to your friend (a website, for example, https://www.google.com/search?q=google.com).
Instead of carrying the letter personally, you give it to a Courier (the Proxy server). The Courier takes the letter and delivers it to the friend. The friend writes a reply, gives it to the Courier, and the Courier returns it to you.
Two potential risks arise here:
The Courier can read the letter if it is not in a sealed envelope.
The Courier can change the content of the letter.
On the internet, the role of the "envelope" is played by HTTPS encryption.
🔓 2. HTTP vs HTTPS: The Main Line of Defense
Before we break down the scenarios, let's clarify a question that concerns many users.
⚠️ Important Note: Do not confuse "HTTP Proxy" and "HTTP Sites" In ourCyberYozh App catalog you can buy HTTP proxies or SOCKS5 proxies. Many people think that an HTTP proxy is insecure. This is a fairly common misconception.
Proxy type (HTTP or SOCKS5) — this is simply the "transport," the method of data delivery.
Website type (http:// or https://) — this is the "packaging" of the data (encryption).
Remember the formula: If you use a regular HTTP proxy but open a secure site (HTTPS with a padlock), your data is safe. Encryption happens in the browser before the data reaches the proxy.
Now let's look at what happens when you open different websites:
Scenario A: You visit a site with the HTTP protocol (No padlock 🔓)
This is like a "postcard" without an envelope.
If you use a proxy and visit an unprotected site (http://example.com), the proxy owner can see the data:
Your logins and passwords.
The text of messages you write.
Uploaded files.
Verdict: There is a risk of your accounts being compromised.
Scenario B: You visit a site with the HTTPS protocol (With padlock 🔒)
This is a "sealed armored envelope."
Most modern websites (Facebook, Google, banks, Instagram) use HTTPS. In this case, the proxy only sees the "Address on the envelope."
What the proxy sees: It knows you visited facebook.com at 14:00 and downloaded 5 megabytes of data.
What the proxy DOES NOT see: It does not see exactly which page you opened, your login, password, or correspondence. All of this turns into a meaningless set of characters (cipher).
Verdict: Your data is protected by encryption... unless certificate spoofing methods are applied (more on those in Part 4).
⚠️ 3. Free Proxies are Risky
Why are there so many lists of "Free Proxies" on the internet? Who pays for server rent and electricity?
Answer: Often, your data becomes the payment.
Cybercriminals can create free proxy servers ("Honeypots") to collect user information.
How free proxies can use data:
Ad injection: The proxy inserts its own banners over the sites you are viewing.
Content modification: The proxy can replace links.
Metadata collection: Gathering browsing history for marketing purposes.
Cookie hijacking: Even if the password is encrypted, there is a risk of "session" (cookie file) interception.
Golden Rule: Use reliable services. We do not recommend entering bank card details through public free proxies.
🕵️ 4. Advanced Threat: MITM Attack and Certificate Spoofing
There is a way an attacker can read even encrypted HTTPS traffic. This is called Man-in-the-Middle (MITM).
How it works:
The proxy server tells your browser: "Hi, I am https://www.google.com, here is my passport (security certificate)." If the computer trusts this certificate, the proxy will be able to decrypt the traffic.
How to protect yourself:
Fortunately, modern browsers track such threats. If a proxy tries to slip in an incorrect certificate, the browser will issue a warning: "Your connection is not private" or "Certificate error."
Never ignore this warning when working through a proxy!
Exception: On corporate computers, system administrators may install "root certificates" for security monitoring. But that is a matter of corporate policy.
🛡️ 5. What exactly do proxy owners see? (Checklist)
For clarity, here is what a proxy server administrator sees:
Data Type | Via HTTP (Risky) | Via HTTPS (Safe) |
Which site you visited | ✅ Sees (example.com/login) | ✅ Sees (only the domain example.com) |
Your Login/Password | ✅ Sees | ❌ Cannot see (cipher) |
Your correspondence | ✅ Sees | ❌ Cannot see (cipher) |
Card numbers | ✅ Sees | ❌ Cannot see (cipher) |
Cookies | ✅ Sees | ❌ Cannot see (usually Secure Flag) |
Your real IP | ✅ Sees | ✅ Sees |
💡 6. How to protect yourself? (5 steps)
Use private proxies.
Services that provide paid services value their reputation and client security.Look for the "Padlock".
Make sure there is a padlock icon (HTTPS) in the browser address bar. If it's not there, do not enter personal data on that site.Do not install third-party certificates.
If you are asked to download and install a .crt file or "root certificate" into your system for the proxy to work — be careful. This could grant access to your traffic.Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication).
Even if a password is compromised, an attacker won't be able to log into the account without a confirmation code.Use different proxies for different tasks.
Do not log into online banking through the same proxy you use for data scraping or gaming.
Conclusion
A proxy is a useful tool for working on the internet. The risk of data interception exists mainly when using unverified free services or unprotected (HTTP) websites.
Use reliable providers such as CyberYozh App, watch for HTTPS, and your data will remain protected.
👉 Looking for proxies you can trust? We care about your privacy and offer a secure connection. Try our Datacenter, Residential, and Mobile proxies.