Private (Dedicated) vs. Shared Proxies
Are you weighing whether to invest in a private proxy or a shared proxy? Either type lets you connect to websites without revealing your personal IP address. That’s one of the main defenses against escalating cybercrime. Security is a top priority for anyone using the Internet. And both private and shared proxies provide anonymity as well as security. So, which one you select will depend on your need. Let’s take a look at the attributes of private (dedicated) vs. shared proxies.
Common Attributes
Both types of proxies provide excellent security. They work by masking your IP address, and omitting any other identifying information from the web request. This provides the anonymity necessary to research the web undetected. Both can filter webpage content to help improve your search. Private and shared proxies can both support HTTP and SOCKS protocols. And each can be used with various web browsers.
Private (Dedicated) Proxies
There’s more to private proxies than the name implies. For example, a single PC can be set up as a private residential proxy, useful for emulating an ordinary consumer shopping online. Or, a datcenter proxy can be set up for a single user – a datacenter private proxy useful in high-speed, high-volume web scraping.
Let’s look at key benefits of private proxies. First, a private proxy is assigned to only one user. so you have full control over how it is being used. This also means you are able to work at a much faster speed. And, as the sole user, you’re not likely to experience bandwidth overload.
With private proxies, there isn’t another user to be potentially engaged in illegal practice, leading to IP blocks for you. However, that only applies while you are using the IP. You have no idea what the IP was used for before you acquired it. So it’s important to check the IP reputation in case it was used for bad practices before.
While they have a wide range of prices, having just one user means private proxies are generally more expensive than shared proxies. But beware any private proxy that’s advertised as free. It may not provide essential support or protection from cyberthieves. Some low-cost or free private proxies may even hack data themselves.
Shared Proxies
Shared proxies are assigned to multiple users, often making them more affordable than a private proxy because their cost is shared.
As another advantage, shared rotating proxies provide a number of IP addresses that automatically change on a pre-determined schedule of rotation. Your proxied IP address varies with each request, which prevents rate-limiting or IP blocks. You also have the option of using multiple proxies to carry out high traffic research quickly and efficiently, which can help grow your business. And certain shared proxies can help with SEO programs.
As for disadvantages: Because shared rotating proxies are assigned to multiple users, you have less control over how the proxy is being used. Also, if another user exceeds the limit on simultaneous data requests, the remote site may detect the proxy, blocking you and other users. And if another user on the shared proxy engages in illegal activity, all sharing users could be affected.
When considering a good rotating proxy, these are some of the features to look for:
- number of IP addresses per server
- geographical location of IP addresses
- frequency of IP address rotation
- availability of custom headers to control IP addresses
- authentication method
Bottom Line
Proxies provide security and anonymity while you work online. The type of proxy you select will depend on your budget and the way you will be using the proxy. Do lots of research – look at reviews, privacy policies, and the length of time the company has been in service. Make sure the company allows you to test the proxy first to see if it fits your needs. Bypass unreliable free proxies and select a reliable, paid proxy service that offers good customer support 24/7. You’ll have peace of mind while surfing the Internet.
