Difference between VPN and Proxy: Protecting online Data

What is the difference between VPN and Proxy? Online privacy and security have become outmost priority in today’s connected world. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and Proxies are two most popular tools for increasing online privacy, security and accessing restricted content. Although both look similar, they function differently and serve different purposes. Let’s look into the basic difference between VPN and Proxy, and understand which tool might be best according to your needs.

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure and encrypted connection between your device and the internet. It acts as a private tunnel through which all your online data travels. VPNs are configured at the operating system level and considers all network connections of the device on which it is configured. VPNs will capture the traffic of every application on your computer, right from your web browser to OS Update running in the background.

Key Functions of VPN:

• IP Address & Location Masking: VPN hide your IP address and location. Instead of showing your real IP address, websites, and online services that you visit see the IP address of the VPN server you’re connected to. This helps in masking your geographical location.

• Encryption: VPN encrypt your internet traffic. Hence, anyone intercepting your data won’t be able to read it. This encryption keeps your sensitive information, like passwords and personal details, safe from hackers and prying eyes.

• Secure Connection: VPNs secure your connection on public networks, like Wi-Fi in cafes or airports and protect your data from potential cyber threats.

• Bypassing Restrictions: VPNs allow you to access content that might be restricted in your region by making it appear as though you’re browsing from a different location. For example, you are physically located in Boston and would like to browse a website in Australia. However, that website is geographically restricted to only access from Australia. In this scenario, you could connect to a VPN server located in Australia and then can connect to that website.

What is a Proxy?

A proxy sits between your device and the internet as an intermediary server. Proxy routed your internet traffic before it reaches its final destination. This process alters how your IP address is presented to the outside world, making it appear as if your traffic is coming from the proxy server rather than your actual device.

Key Functions of Proxy:

• IP Address Masking: A proxy server hides your public IP address by replacing it with the IP address of the proxy server. This helps in masking your IP address and Identity.

• Bypassing Geo-Restrictions: Using a proxy can help you access contents that are blocked in your region by making it look like you are browsing from a different location.

• Caching: Proxies cache (store) copies of frequently accessed web sites and pages. This makes it faster for users to access those pages by retrieving the stored version instead of reloading it from the internet each time.

• Filtering: Proxies can filter network traffic based on various criteria, such as blocking access to specific websites or content types.

Difference between VPN and Proxy

Now we understood what a VPN and a Proxy is. Let’s see how they differ from each other:

1. Encryption and Security

• VPN:

• Encrypts all your internet traffic, ensuring that your data is secure from hackers, your ISP, or anyone else trying to intercept your data.

• Provides a high level of security, making it suitable for protecting sensitive information.

• Proxy:

• Does not encrypt your internet traffic. It simply routes your traffic through another server and mask your IP address.

• Provides minimal security. It is mainly used for bypassing geographical restrictions or accessing blocked content.

2. Scope of Use

• VPN:

• Regardless of the application you are using, VPN covers all your internet traffic. Whether you are browsing the web, streaming videos, or using a mobile app, everything goes through the VPN.

• Proxy:

• Connections are configured on application basis and not computer-wide. It only routes traffic from specific applications like a web browser. Other applications on your device will continue to use your regular internet connection, means they won’t be protected by the proxy.

3. Speed and Performance

• VPN:

• Slows down your internet connection because of the encryption process and the need to route traffic through a remote server.

• The performance impact varies depending on the quality of the VPN service and server location.

• Proxy:

• Since there is no encryption overhead, it is faster than a VPN.

• However, speed can still vary based on the proxy server's load and location.

4. Cost

• VPN:

• Most VPNs require a subscription for the security and privacy benefits they are offering.

• There are some free VPNs, but they come with limitations or privacy concerns.

• Proxy:

• Proxies are often free or low-cost, but free proxies come with risks such as poor security, log your data, shows ad or even inject malware into your connection.

So, Which One Should You Choose?

• Use VPN:

• You need strong security and privacy.
• You want to encrypt all your internet traffic.
• You are handling important & sensitive information.

• Use Proxy:

• You only need to bypass geo-restrictions.
• You are not concerned about encryption & security.
• You want a quick & easy solution for just masking your IP address.

Summary:

VPN provide comprehensive security and privacy by encrypting all internet traffic, while proxies are generally faster and simpler and used just for bypassing geo-restrictions but without the security benefits.

A VPN is like a secure and private channel for all your internet activity, providing strong security and privacy. Proxies, on the other hand, are simple tools that redirect your traffic to anonymous origins and restricted content, but without the same security, one may suit your needs better than the other.