Beginner Proxy Mistakes and How to Resolve Them
The Internet has evolved significantly over the past few decades and is now integral to how businesses operate. But, the online environment also has lots of criminal elements lurking in dark corners, hidden from view. This creates a risk of security breaches and identity theft that most Internet users may not even be aware of. Hence the need to be proactive about security. By using proxy servers, you place an intermediary between yourself and the Internet that immediately improves your security. It’s important, however, to be aware of potential beginner proxy mistakes and how you can avoid them.
Finding a service provider
First you’ll need to find a reputable proxy service provider. This is the only way you can guarantee access to quality service. In your search, you’ll inevitably come across countless free proxies that promise ‘five-star service.’ Run from them! As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Free proxies may seem like the most convenient option in the short term, but it’s going to put your data security at even greater risk.
Limited locations
Another common mistake is forgetting to find out where a service provider has proxy servers located. Proxies not only provide you with anonymity but also help you get around geo-restrictions. So before choosing a proxy server, make sure you find out this key information. Reputable proxy service providers will have thousands of IP addresses in several different countries.
Proxy not connecting
Once you’ve signed up for a proxy server, you won’t want to find yourself unable to connect to the service. Several things could be wrong; so it’s important to check for error messages. First, you may need to check that your Internet connection is working without the proxy server. Then you can also check whether the settings are correct. And if the issue is not apparent, it’s time to get in touch with your service provider for some professional help.
Use the trial period
Even a paid proxy service could fail to deliver what it promises. This is why it’s important to have a free trial period. During the trial, you can thoroughly evaluate the quality of the service and then decide whether it’s right for you. Otherwise, you could have a paid proxy that will still leave you at high risk for security breaches. It’s worth noting that the reliable companies are going to offer a trial period and/or a money-back guarantee.
Using the wrong proxy
Some heavyweight tasks, such as web scraping, can benefit immensely from IP rotation. On the other hand, rotating IP addresses may not be suitable for some tasks. The latter may include sending multiple requests or gathering data from several web pages. In these instances, using a unique IP address (non-rotating) is best for completing the task without disruption.
Avoiding errors
Now more than ever, organizations and individuals need to be proactive about data security. The increasing incidence of cybercrime should have everyone looking to enhance their security posture. Given the range of available measures, it’s important to do a little research and so avoid costly mistakes. And if you can sign up for good-quality proxy servers, then you are well on your way to avoiding any such errors.
