In the era of digital surveillance, AI tracking from Big Tech, and rigid geographical restrictions, the proxy server has ceased to be a tool only for hackers. Today, it is a basic tool for SMM specialists, traffic arbitrageurs, marketers, and anyone who values their privacy.
But when you enter a proxy store, your eyes wander: datacenter, mobile, residential, SOCKS5, HTTP... What to choose?
In this guide, we will break everything down: how proxies work, how they differ technically, and which type of IP address is needed exactly for your task to avoid blocking.
How It Works: Your Digital Intermediary
A Proxy Server (Proxy) — is an intermediary link between your device and the internet.
Imagine you want to buy a product in a store but don't want the seller to see your face. You ask a friend to go to the store for you. The seller sees the friend, communicates with the friend, and sells the product to the friend. You, however, stay in the shadows.
- Without a proxy: Your computer ➡ Provider network ➡ Website
- With a proxy: Your computer ➡ Provider network ➡ Proxy server ➡ Provider network ➡ Website
The website «thinks» that the visitor — is the proxy. Your real IP, provider, and geolocation are hidden.
Proxy vs. VPN: What's the difference? A frequent question from beginners. We analyzed a detailed comparison of technologies in a separate article.
Main Classification: Proxy Types by Origin
This is the most important part that many beginners overlook. Anti-fraud systems (Google, Facebook, Amazon) judge you not by your personality, but by who owns your IP address.
1. Datacenter Proxies (Datacenter / IPv4 & IPv6)
IP addresses belonging to hosting providers (Amazon AWS, DigitalOcean, etc.).
[Image of datacenter server racks]
- How it works: A provider rents a powerful server in a datacenter and slices it into thousands of IP addresses.
- 2025 Trends: The popularity of IPv6 proxies is growing — they are cheap and their quantity is almost infinite. However, it should be considered that many websites and security systems block IPv6 traffic more aggressively than classic IPv4. Read more about who this standard is suitable for in our separate article about IPv6 proxies.
- Pros: Huge speed (up to 1-10 Gbps) and low price.
- Cons: Low trust. Websites see that the IP belongs to a datacenter. Regular people do not browse the internet from servers. Therefore, Facebook or Instagram can ban such an account instantly.
- What to use for: Mass website scraping, accessing simple resources without rigid protection, technical tasks, software testing.
2. Residential Proxies (Residential)
IP addresses belonging to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that look like home connections. The issuance mechanism depends on the provider (it can be P2P networks, ISP gateways, etc.). We divide them into two types:
A. Residential Static (ISP Static) This is a permanent IP address that is assigned to you.
- Ideal for: E-commerce (purchases on Amazon, eBay, Nike), working with payment systems, managing personal accounts.
- Pro: You look like a stable home user.
👉 Choose Residential Static Proxies
B. Residential Rotating (Dynamic) Access to a huge pool of IP addresses that change with every request.
- Ideal for: Price scraping, competitor monitoring, SEO analytics.
- Pro: Impossible to ban by IP, as it changes constantly.
👉 Choose Residential Rotating Proxies
3. Mobile Proxies (Mobile 4G/5G)
The «gold standard» of anonymity. IP addresses of real cellular operators (T-Mobile, Vodafone, etc.).
- How it works: You access the network via a SIM card. Cellular operators use Carrier Grade NAT (CGNAT) technology. Due to the lack of addresses, thousands of regular subscribers can sit on one mobile IP simultaneously.
- The secret of success: Websites (Facebook, TikTok, Google) know this. They cannot ban a mobile IP because they would then block thousands of innocent users.
- What to use for: Traffic arbitrage, SMM (managing many social media accounts), account farming, mass registrations.
Summary Table: Which Type to Choose?
| Proxy Type | Pros | Cons | Ideal Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Datacenter | High speed, low price | Low trust, easily blocked | Scraping, software tests, bypassing simple geo-blocks |
| Residential Static | High trust, stable IP | Price higher than datacenter | E-commerce, goods buyouts, managing 1 important account |
| Residential Rotating | Impossible to ban (IP rotation) | Not suitable for authorization (will log out) | Mass data collection, price monitoring |
| Mobile (4G/5G) | Maximum trust, invulnerability | High cost | SMM (FB/IG/TT), Traffic arbitrage, Farming |
Ports and Protocols: HTTP vs SOCKS5
A detailed breakdown of protocols is available in our special article, but here is the brief essence:
- HTTP proxy: The simplest type. Suitable for web surfing. Important to understand: an HTTP proxy itself does not encrypt the channel to the server. If you visit an http site, the traffic is open. Content security (encryption) is provided only if you visit an HTTPS site (SSL/TLS).
- HTTPS proxy (SSL): Supports the CONNECT method, creating a tunnel (via TLS), which allows for the transfer of encrypted traffic.
- SOCKS5 proxy: A universal protocol. Works with any traffic and supports UDP, which is critical for Telegram/Discord calls and gaming.
How to Use a Proxy?
Read the full guide on setting up proxies for various tasks in our usage guide.
Step 1. Choosing a Provider:
The main mistake of a beginner — is looking for «free proxies».
- Risks: Do not use free (public) proxies — they are slow, often do not work, can steal your passwords and data, be infected with malware, or be used for MITM (man-in-the-middle) attacks.
- Solution: Choose proven services such as CyberYozh App. We offer private channels with UDP support and dedicated modems.
Step 2. Getting the Data:
After purchase, you will receive access credentials. Usually, it looks like this:
- IP: 123.456.789.012
- Port: 8080
- Auth: login : password
Step 3. Configuration:
Where to enter this data?
- In the browser: Use extensions like FoxyProxy or SwitchyOmega. In FoxyProxy, add a new proxy, enter the IP and port, and save.
- In the system: Network Settings ➡ Proxy (Windows/macOS/Linux).
- In specialized software: Paste the data into the settings of an anti-detect browser (Dolphin, GoLogin) or a proxifier (Proxifier). In Proxifier, create a rule for the application and specify the proxy.
Risks and Best Practices
- Use rotation: If a proxy becomes «dirty,» use the IP change function.
- Be careful with Shared proxies: On shared proxies, «neighbors» might treat the websites you need carelessly. They are great for cheap scraping and tasks where frequent IP changes aren't needed, but for critical accounts, it's better to get private channels.
- GEO consistency: Do not log into an account registered in the USA with a proxy from Germany. This is an instant trigger for a security check.
- Verification and tests: Always test speed and trust before mass usage. Disclaimer: remember that speed tests consume a lot of traffic. If you have a limited plan (for example, Residential Rotating), be careful not to waste gigabytes on tests.
Conclusion
A proxy server — is the foundation of your security and freedom on the network.
- Need to scrape a million pages? Get Residential Rotating.
- Need to buy sneakers at a limited sale or manage a business account on Amazon? Get Residential Static.
- For the simplest sites without anti-fraud systems — Datacenter Proxies.
- Need to manage a network of accounts on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok without bans? Get Mobile.
You will find reliable proxies of all types in the CyberYozh App catalog. Invest in a quality connection to protect your assets.