Last updated: March 3, 2023
Did you know that there is a computer tool capable of speeding up your web browsing, bypassing certain filters and allowing you to browse anonymously? This tool is called the proxy.
The proxy is a computer tool allowing you to act as an intermediary between a client station and the Internet. In particular, it allows you to cache the most popular pages in order to speed up access to the web, bypass certain HTTP filters and browse anonymously.
We have already seen this what is a proxy and how to use it optimally. This time, we are going to look at the different types of proxies that exist so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Ready to know more?
Transparent proxy
Want to use a proxy to speed up your web browsing? The transparent proxy (or transparent proxy) is an interesting option, because it allows your IP address to be passed and signals that you are using a proxy.
However, it is worth keeping in mind that you will not be completely anonymous, as your IP address will be stored in the HTTP header named REMOTE_ADDR.
Anonymous proxy
If you want to protect your privacy online, anonymous proxy can be a good option. This proxy hides your real IP address, but the REMOTE_ADDR and HTTP_VIA variables contain the proxy IP address.
It is therefore important to note that you are not completely anonymous, as your IP address can be retrieved via the HTTP header named HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR.
There are also different levels of anonymous proxy, including:
- The semi-anonymous proxy (or distorting proxy), which modifies your real IP address to replace it with another IP address. Although your IP address is hidden, it can be discovered using more advanced tracking techniques.
- Transparent proxy with filtering, which works like a transparent proxy but also blocks access to certain websites. It can be used to filter unwanted websites.
Highly anonymous proxy
For a maximum level of security, the highly anonymous proxy is the ideal choice. It hides your real IP address so that the site you are visiting thinks that the IP address used is yours. No HTTP header contains your IP address, ensuring your complete anonymity.
If you want to browse completely anonymously, this is the type of proxy for you.
Test the level of anonymity of a proxy
If you want to check if a proxy is truly anonymous, you can use PHP code.
Here's how to proceed:
- First, create a new text document with Notepad or any other text editor.
- Next, copy the following code into the text file:
$myip = trim($_GET['myip']);
if (empty($myip)) {
echo “Please enter your original IP address. » . " \not ";
} else if (($_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR'] == $myip) || ($_SERVER['HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR'] == $myip)) {
echo "The proxy is not anonymous." » . " \not ";
} else { echo “The proxy is anonymous. » . " \not "; }
?>
- Now save the file as “myscript.php”.
- Upload the “myscript.php” file to an Apache web server.
- Finally, test your proxy by entering your original IP address in the following URL:
https://www.monsite.com/monscript.php?myip=VotreAdresseIP
The code retrieves the IP address and compares it with the REMOTE_ADDR and HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR variables. If the IP address is the same as your original IP address, it means the proxy is not anonymous. If the IP address is different, the proxy is anonymous.
Note that this test does not guarantee 100% the level of anonymity of a proxy. This is because some websites may use other methods to discover your real IP address. However, this test remains a useful method for evaluating the level of anonymity of a proxy.