Proxy network software provide customers with network IP addresses that are used to change the perceived location of an internet-connected device or servers within a data center. The proxy connects devices to a server specified by its IP address. Most proxy solution providers offer numerous proxy types from a variety of physical locations. Some plans are designed specifically for providing numerous high-traffic IPs for data centers while other offerings rotate IPs or provide static, semi-permanent IPs.
Companies use proxy servers for a number of purposes, the most common purpose being collecting data off the internet. Proxies help avoid bot detection and mask repeat visitors with new IPs. Other use cases of proxy servers fall under the umbrellas of data collection, competitive intelligence gathering, and brand monitoring.
Occasionally, a virtual private network (VPN) software vendor will offer proxy servers as an additional component of their solution, but that feature network services different than the actual virtualized network. Still, most proxy services do not offer a truly virtual private network and do not encrypt traffic end to end.
To qualify for inclusion in the Proxy Network Software category, a product must:
- Route all traffic through intermediary servers
- Provide static, rotating, and/or data center proxy network servers
- Provide proxies from numerous locations
