There are different types of proxies, each with its own unique attributes. Each proxy type offers a specific level of anonymity and privacy, with some more capable and guaranteeing a greater success score than others. If you are looking for a proxy that is superior to the others in terms of the unmatched level of privacy and anonymity, look no further than mobile proxies.
What is a Proxy Server?
To understand what a mobile proxy is, it is important first to appreciate the meaning of a proxy server. A proxy is an intermediary that routes internet traffic through itself and, in the process, assigns all outgoing requests a new IP address. This way, the proxy masks the real IP address, helping to provide online anonymity and privacy.
The various proxy types assign different IP addresses. For instance, a residential proxy will assign a residential IP address that belongs to Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Usually, these ISPs assign residential IP addresses to their customers. So, ethically sourced residential proxies and IP addresses require the consent of both the ISP and the customer, as it involves routing traffic through the user’s devices via an installed application.
On the other hand, datacenter proxies assign datacenter IP addresses associated with datacenters. These IP addresses are generated by powerful datacenter servers and are, therefore, virtual. Unlike residential proxies, which are not easily blocked, datacenter proxies are easily flagged and banned. While residential proxies are better datacenter proxies in this regard, they are no match for mobile proxies, which are superior to both residential and datacenter proxies.
What is a Mobile Proxy?
A mobile proxy routes internet traffic through mobile devices that are connected to the internet via mobile data and a mobile telecommunications company. The mobile devices could be anything from smartphones and tablets to MiFi routers. By channeling traffic through these gadgets, the outgoing requests acquire the IP address that the mobile carrier assigned to the device.
To better serve their growing pool of customers, mobile carriers have had to integrate emerging technologies and standards into their operations. Nowhere is this clearer than in their integration of both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. IPv6 addresses are more abundant and are meant to replace the fast-depleting IPv4 addresses. And given that the IPv6 standard is newer than IPv4, it guarantees an unmatched level of trust and anonymity. In addition, IPv6 addresses are mostly used in 4G connections. In this regard, 4G mobile proxies are not only fast but also secure and provide heightened anonymity. (3G mobile proxies assign IPv4 addresses.)
In either case, however, the mobile carrier periodically changes the assigned IP address, further boosting privacy and preventing IP blocks. This is handy when mobile devices are being used as proxies. View this website to find more information about mobile proxies and their benefits.
Types of Mobile Proxies
There are two main types of mobile proxies:
- Free mobile proxies: these proxies mimic the internet connection provided by mobile carriers. However, in the real sense, they are not usually connected to the internet via mobile devices that use mobile data. As the name suggests, they are free. However, they do not offer the privacy, anonymity, and security that mobile proxies are known to offer
- Paid mobile proxies: these proxies route traffic through real mobile devices. They boast high-level anonymity, security, privacy, and protection
Uses of Mobile Proxies
You can use mobile proxies for:
- Ad verification
- Social media management
- Bypassing geo-restrictions
- Market research, including monitoring prices, products, and the number of competitors
- Review and reputation monitoring
- Search engine optimization (SEO) monitoring, including keyword research
- Cookie blocking, i.e., preventing the installation of cookies: mobile proxies do not have to save cookies in order to connect to the internet
- Large-scale web scraping
The utility of this proxy type in these use cases emanates from the fact that they provide unmatched security, privacy, anonymity, and protection.
Advantages of Mobile Proxies
- They have a significantly larger IP address pool – mobile proxies can assign either IPv4 or IPv6 addresses
- Mobile proxies offer greater anonymity and privacy than either datacenter proxies or residential proxies – they are not easily blocked as the mobile carrier periodically and automatically changes the assigned IP address
- Mobile proxies, especially 4G mobile proxies, are fast
- They offer added security because the IP addresses are shared among multiple users; this means you or your activity cannot be singled out
Disadvantages of Mobile Proxies
- Mobile proxies are more expensive than datacenter proxies and residential proxies
- They assigned shared IP addresses, which may carry an element of privacy risk
- These proxies pose a security risk as most people do not install anti-malware software on their mobile devices
- Mobile proxies have lower performance than datacenter proxies, which are powered by powerful high-performance datacenter servers
Conclusion
Mobile proxies are superior to datacenter proxies and residential proxies. This is because they offer better security, privacy, anonymity, and protection against IP blocks. But this comes at an extra cost – mobile proxies are more expensive.
