SOCKS5 Proxy – What, Why, And How
Being safe while browsing the internet is something we all dream of. However, it’s not happening and is a tough deed to pull off as one attack occurs every 39 seconds and more than 2,000 in a day.
It’s not like we have a lack of security tools. There are ample of them. But the issue is that ordinary people aren’t aware of them. They remain accessible only to technically sound souls. SOCKS5 proxy is one such tool. Unless you’re a tech whiz, you might know what wonders it can do for you and how it can keep you safe in the world of cyber vulnerabilities.
Well, this guide is here for you. It explains every crucial aspect of the SOCKS5 proxy that a layman should get familiar with. It’s going to be a long yet fruitful read. So, fasten your seat belt.
Let’s begin with the basic meaning of a SOCKS5 proxy so that you’re able to understand what is SOCKS5 proxy.
Related articles that you will find helpful as well:
- 10 Best Proxy Server Service Providers: Free and Paid; 2024 Review
- ISP Proxies 101 [Updated for 2024 Readers]
- Transparent Proxy – Is It Worth A Try?
SOCKS5 Proxy – Meaning and Significance
It’s nothing but a SOCKS5 protocol-based proxy server. Now, if you don’t know what a proxy server is, here is a quick overview. It’s a server that acts as a mediator between a client and a network. It sits between these two. So, when a user sends any query to the internet, it first reaches a proxy server instead of directly reaching a website server.
Now, after receiving the request, a proxy server removes crucial information and replaces the real IP address with a fake IP address. This modified response is forwarded to a website server. The server receives it and provides feedback to the proxy server. The proxy server then filters the response and checks for any malicious links. This filtered and safe response is then forwarded to the client/user.
This way, a safe internet connection is established. In a SOCKS5 proxy, the at-work communication protocol is SOCKS5 protocol in both the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) forms. It’s a way ahead of other sorts of ordinary proxies because of its ability to transfer the data even to a server that is hidden behind a firewall and ensure that data transmission between an end-server and a client is completed for sure.
There is one trait that sets it apart from its counterparts: its ability to forward the traffic without decoding it. So, if you use a firewall and are not permitted to establish a TCP connection beyond the firewall, then you must use a SOCKS5 proxy, which will ensure that a safe connection reaches you.
Ultimately, it supports safe and secure access to the internet without breaking any law.
The Best SOCKS5 Proxy
As the SOCKS5 proxy offers the best communication security and makes online streaming feasible, many internet users are now trying this type of proxy. However, not every available option in the market is worth a try. You can enjoy a dependable experience only when you have the best SOCKS5 proxy by your side.
For any SOCKS5 proxy to be the best, it is important to have a decent server network, effective cost, multiple payment options, dependable customer support, straightforward configuration, and many more features.
However, the best version or alternative has to be the one with HTTPS ability and a higher level of security. BrightData is one of the most trusted names when it comes to SOCKS5 alternatives, and the proxy provider calls it super proxies.
Super proxies are available for all sorts of use cases. We recommended it above the best SOCKS5 proxy because it provides some of the most suitable and easy-to-configure IPs here.
These super proxies are preferred because they scale with the user’s requirements. For instance, you can change location even when a proxy connection is active. You can target any ASN and carrier.
BrightData provides a P2P network for better connectivity that lets its proxy users access consumer-facing data points directly. With features like complete error-checking, zero latency, end-to-end supported UDP protocols, and 3rd party audited security, BrightData offers more than conventional SOCKS proxies.
With BrightData‘s payment flexibility and multiple subscription costs, you will hardly have any hassles to being its customer. Try it once; only then will you be able to resonate with what we have just told you about BrightData.
What Makes SOCKS5 Proxy Different From Other Proxy Providers?
It’s important to learn about the traits that separate SOCKS proxy from other proxy varieties. Well, we have explained those differentiating properties.
- SOCKS proxies support more security protocols
SOCKS proxies are rare because you can work with multiple security protocols. We already have SOCKS4 and SOCKS5 proxy varieties in place. It’s so flexible that it even supports HTTP and POP protocols. This wide protocol flexibility makes SOCKS proxies widely used and accepted.
- SOCKS proxies can avoid firewalls
Whenever you need firewall bypassing, the SOCKS5 proxy is the best choice to make because it uses a TCP connection to connect with the server. There is no need for HTTP traffic monitoring, and it can bypass the firewalls.
Is SOCKS5 Legal?
As far as legality is concerned, using a SOCKS5 proxy isn’t a crime as long as you’re not involved in activities like conducting an attack, accessing copyright material, and stealing others’ data. So, make sure you’re not engaged in any of it.
The usage of SOCKS5 is promoted in countries with high cyber security risks. Even if you belong to a place that is not on the radar of cybercriminals, its use is recommended as it keeps your online presence secure. However, we will still recommend you be a little aware of your actions and activities while using SOCKS5.
Using SOCKS5 is legal, but using it for non-legal activities like downloading copyrighted content, scraping restricted or unavailable data for public use, or injecting viruses into any website is not allowed.
Hiding the IP address might give SOCKS5 proxy users a fake sense of the power to do anything without being caught, which can be dangerous. So, we strongly recommend you be a responsible SOCKS5 proxy user and make sure that you’re not breaking the law.
If you manage to keep this under control, then you’re all set to enjoy abundant benefits with a quality SOCKS5 proxy.
That’s not the only benefit that you’ll enjoy with a quality SOCKS5 proxy. It brings a lot to the table. Have a look at its key benefits in the next section.
Benefits
Now that you are well aware of what is a socks5 proxy, let us tell you how it will be advantageous for you:
-
Bypass the IP address blocking and access restricted access
As mentioned above, the SOCKS5 proxy replaces the actual IP address and provides clients with a fake one. Now, this is no less than a boon if you’re facing severe geo-restrictions or heavy internet censorship. Geo-restrictions or internet censorship are possible with IP address tracking.
Applications/websites/platforms that impose these two will use the IP address to identify the user and then will provide accessibility. For instance, if you belong to Germany and want to access Games of Thrones in your Disney+ subscriptions, then you won’t be able to do that as it’s not available in your region (learn about getting access to your favorite shows on Disney+ here).
But, when the real IP address is hidden, and you have the freedom to connect with the servers of remote locations, you can bypass these geo-restrictions. Get a SOCKS5 proxy server that has servers in the US and connect to it. Now, your German IP addresses will be replaced with US IP addresses. Access a Disney+ subscription, and it will identify you as a US user and provide access to Games of Thrones. Voila!
It works similarly when accessing blocked games, websites, and other content.
-
Various transport protocols
We have already told you that SOCKS5 supports both TCP and UDP connections for data transportation. Now, both these connections have different purposes. For instance, TCP is useful when one has to make sure that there is no speed drip and the connection is maintained from beginning to end. UDP, on the other hand, is very fast and is the best choice to make when huge data transmission in a quick time is required. So, users have options to pick from.
-
More freedom
When the SOCKS5 proxy is at work, users feel more liberal as it supports all sorts of traffic types and is compatible with all the leading protocols. This amazing compatibility is possible because of the low-level structure. Hence, you don’t have to be network-specific while using SOCKS5 proxies.
-
Fewer odds of mislabeling
During its course of action, the SOCKS5 proxy doesn’t indulge in data header rewriting. When the header remains untouched, the possibilities of mislabeled and misrouted data are very low.
-
Better speed
SOCKS5 proxy is less speed slowdown. When you’re planning to use a proxy, understand that you will certainly face a speed dip as traffic is filtered. But, this is very minute in the case of SOCKS5, as it transports the data into a very small packet. When data is in the form of a small packet, it travels fast. This is why it’s suitable for activities like streaming and P2P file sharing. In a short time, you can transfer huge data amounts.
Downsides of SOCKS5 Proxies
Every technology has its downsides, and the SOCKS5 proxy is no exception. Despite so many copious benefits, this tool is not flawless. Here are a few obvious demerits of this technology.
- SOCKS5 proxies won’t protect your IP address beyond the respective browser or torrent client. Unlike VPN, which encrypts the entire traffic and provides high-level protection to personal information, SOCKS5 does selective traffic protection, which is not useful.
- It’s not wise to expect 100% anonymity as you use SOCKS5 proxy as it can reveal your online identity. It happens because SOCKS5 packet headers feature metadata that reveals the identity.
- If you’re not using a reliable proxy provider and you’re using the shared SOCKS5 proxies then be ready to experience a huge drop in the internet speed and performance. Sharing proxies are used by multiple users at the same time and have a high chance of identity theft and slow internet speed.
- If you’re using a new tool from multiple third parties, set up this proxy for that app once again. This means more work and setup hassles, which not everyone will like.
How Does SOCKS5 Proxy Work?
After a basic understanding of the SOCKS5 proxy and its significance, it’s time to get familiar with its modus operandi. It all starts with transporting data over the network using tunneling protocols To make this happen swiftly, the SOCKS5 proxy doesn’t carry the entire transportable data at once. Instead, it holds only a fraction of the data in the form of small data packets.
Once all the data packets reach their allotted destinations, they all are reassembled. Now, tunneling starts that is useful for firewall bypassing, connection building, and offering support for an unsupported protocol for a network. Both TCP and UDP connections are allowed for tunneling.
In addition, SOCKS5 provides SSH support for tunneling. This ensures safe remote data transmission. This proxy remains functional at the OSI model’s layer 5. This is the session layer and is capable of handling more protocols at a time. This is why SOCKS5 proxies accept many protocols, which is not the case with other proxies. It makes this proxy work with a wide range of networks.
Is It Wise to Use SOCKS5 Proxy for Torrenting?
Well, the answer is a ‘yes.’ Torrenting is one thing that demands uncompromised security while you download peer-to-peer files. SOCKS5 proxy is something that can make torrenting safe and secure.
Why is it so? SOCKS5 proxy hides the real IP address from the swarms and will help a torrenting user to keep cybersecurity threats at bay. Most of the ill-intended torrenting users exploit the open ports and scan the IP address. SOCKS5 proxy will guard the IP address and will keep this danger at bay.
Even though SOCKS5 does a decent job of keeping IP address protected, it fails to provide strong encryption that demands adequate protection. VPN is a far better choice to make when you want full-proof protection for torrenting. Other than keeping IP address hidden, a feature-rich VPN is a great tool to add encryption to network traffic. Also, you get to enjoy advanced security features like IP leak protection and server hopping as you download torrents.
SOCKS5 v/s SOCKS4
When you’re trying to bring the SOCKS5 proxy into action, you need to understand that there is one more version of the SOCKS protocol, and it is SOCKS4. So, having an understanding of key differences is crucial.
It’s obvious that SOCKS4 is an earlier version and came into being before SOCKS5. It only supports TCP connection and lacks authentication, along with an encryption facility. Hence, it’s considered a bit unsecured as compared to SOCKS5.
To fill the gaps that SOCKS4 created, soon SOCKS4a was created. It was better than SOCKS4 but wasn’t the best. With this version, clients were allowed to specify the domain name in place of the IP address.
Then came the SOCKS5 version, which was the best of all. It supported both the TCP and UDP connection. Even though it doesn’t offer encryption on its own, it was flexible enough to let third-party encryption and authentication work. Hence, it’s more security concerns. It also supports IPv6 and DNS.
When authentication with SOCKS5 is concerned, it’s possible in three ways.
The first one is null authentication, which means no authentication is required for using a SOCKS5 proxy. Then comes user name and password-based authentication, which is the most common. In this type, the end-user is supposed to enter the credentials to access a SOCKS5 server.
Lastly, you have GSS-API authentication that involves user identity verification by both the client and server-side at the OS level.
SOCKS5 Proxy v/s VPN
If you take cyber security seriously, then you already know that many security experts swear by the efficacy of SOCKS5 proxies and VPNs, as they both work great in keeping the data protected.
But they are not the same, and it’s very crucial to understand the basic difference between these two. So, let’s get started.
Encryption
Encryption is the first key differentiating factor between the SOCKS5 proxy and VPN. SOCKS5 offers authentication, while VPN offers both authentication and encryption. There is no encrypted tunnel in a SOCKS proxy server, and because of this, its security profile is a little bit weak.
VPN also sits between a client and server and filters the data. But, it will make every traffic pass from an encrypted tunnel that strengthens data security stronger.
When you’re using some of the best VPNs, this encryption is backed by strong and multiple security protocols. Hence, data protection is far better with VPN.
With end-to-end and two-way encryption, it’s not easy for hackers and threat actors to decode what you’re doing over the internet. A handful of VPNs are even offering a Double VPN feature that filters and encrypts data twice. Such strong encryption is impossible to break down for any skilled hacker.
Speed
If we talk about speed, we have to admit that you will experience better speed and instant internet access if you use a SOCKS5 proxy. This is because there is no encrypted tunnel in place to filter the traffic. So, traffic reaches you without any delays.
There is more to add here. In the SOCKS5 proxy, data is broken into small data packets that travel quickly. Instead of heavy data packets that take time to process, you have small data packets that are fast and behave instantly. All these things contribute to the optimization and high speed of this proxy type.
VPN, on the other hand, is a little slower here. Before reaching you, traffic gets filters, and encryption is added. Even though all of this happens, certain lagging is there. This lagging is more common when you’re using a distant VPN server because connection establishment will take more time.
Server coverage
Mostly, the SOCKS5 proxy server will have limited server coverage. VPNs of the best kinds cover the entire world with their servers. Hence, you’ll have more flexibility in server selection and IP addresses.
Even though SOCKS5 proxy servers and VPNs are different from each other, they both can be used together. It’s not that one has to pick only one out of these two. In fact, you can use both of them together. But, it could be a little bit complicated as the manual configuration has to be done.
However, certain VPNs offer SOCKS5 proxy server support. With such an option, your security will be way too advanced.
Security
Comparing these two tools on the security front is very important because your crucial data is at stake. So, you can’t afford any flaws in the security as you want to access blocked content or download torrents.
Let’s talk about the SOCKS5 proxy first. As mentioned earlier, there is no encryption here. But, it doesn’t mean that there is no security to back the internet connection. It uses three types of authentication to provide considerable security. You have the power of null authentication, username/password authentication, and GSS-API authentication.
There are no additional features like IP leak protection, Adware blocker, DNS leak protection, or kill switch to make sure your internet connection remains fully secured.
It’s hard to beat a VPN when it comes to a secure connection. Starting from encryption to automated kill switch, VPN offers everything that is required to keep data and online presence fully protected.
You can switch security protocols, activate a kill switch automatically, switch servers in between, keep adware/malware at bay, and even mask the IP address twice with a VPN. VPN is a clear winner when security is concerned.
Connection anonymity
There is no such thing as 100% anonymity if you’re using a SOCKS5 proxy because of no encryption and IP leak protection. If you want to experience complete anonymity then VPN is the best option.
Simultaneous connection
SOCSKS5 proxy server works on one device at a time. For every new device, you have to invest in configuration efforts, which is time-consuming and tedious. VPN provides great relief in this regard because one VPN can support multiple devices with its simultaneous connection feature. If you configure VPN on the router then every connected device will be protected.
Is this too much to grasp? Look at this table and learn more about the key differences between VPN and SOCKS5.
SOCKS5 Proxy |
VPN |
|
Encryption |
No encryption |
Uses best-of-breed encryption combined with varied security protocols. |
Security Features |
Only three types of authentication |
VPNs are laced with security features that include a kill switch, double VPN, multi-hop, IP and DNS leak protection, adblocker, and so on. |
Speed |
Great speed with less lag time. |
Speed is a little reduced as traffic has to pass through an encrypted tunnel. |
Ease of usage |
Demands manual configuration for every new device or browser. |
VPN provides ready-to-use browser extensions and apps for all the leading devices, keeping you free from the hassle of configuration. |
Anonymity and Privacy |
IP address might get leaked, and there is no stringent zero-log policy in place. |
The connection is well-protected, the IP address doesn’t leak, and a stringent zero-log policy is often in place. |
Setup Guide – How to Configure SOCKS5 Proxy on Diverse Devices?
By now, we assume that you have earned a basic understanding of SOCKS5 proxies and are excited to use them for a secure internet connection. Hence, we present you a crisp SOCKS 5 proxy setup guide that will help you install it on various devices and resolve all your queries related to ‘how to set up socks5 proxy and how to use it.’
Set up SOCKS5 Proxy on macOS
If you’re using a laptop/PC that runs macOS, then you’ll have no trouble completing its setup. All you need to do is open the System Preferences > Network > Advanced > Proxies.
Once the list of proxies is available, select SOCKS5 proxy from it and enter the proxy details, enter the details and click on OK.
Set up SOCKS5 Proxy on Windows
Windows is one of the most preferred OS for laptops/PCs and is SOCKS5 compatible. In Windows 10, you can start the SOCKS5 setup by going to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
In the Proxy section, On the Use Proxy Server, enter the SOCKS5 proxy server details and save them. The setup is complete.
For older versions, you have to take another way. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Internet Options > Connections “tab” > LAN Settings > Proxy server. Click on the Use a Proxy Server option, enter the address and port details, save them, and setup is done.
Set up SOCKS5 Proxy on Router
If the SOCKS5 proxy service provider is compatible with the router, then you can easily set it up on this device and provide the entire internet connection. However, very few SOCKS5 proxy service providers have the option to support routers.
Here are the basic steps that you need to follow for this setup:
- Connect to the router, use a data-driven device to access the internet, and find out the IP address. Copy the IP address and enter it into the browser’s address bar.
- Go to the Admin section of the router installed using the data-driven device and find the WAN settings. In this section, look for the DNS server and adjust its settings by disabling the ‘connect to DNS server automatically’ option and entering the DNS server address manually. The DNS server address should be the one you access by entering the IP address of the router.
- After successfully entering the IP address of the DNS server, save the changes and reboot the router once. Start it once again, and the SOCKS5 proxy setup is complete.
Set up SOCKS5 Proxy on Chrome
As long as you have proxy IP and port details of the SOCKS5 proxy, the setup is child’s play. Go to Settings > Advanced > System > Open Proxy Setting. Look for the SOCKS Proxy and check the box. Now, enter the proxy IP and port details in the space. Click OK and then Apply. The configuration is complete.
Set up SOCKS5 Proxy on Firefox
If you’re wondering how to use SOCKS5 proxy Firefox, then you’ll be glad to know that SOCKS5 Proxy can be easily configured on the Firefox browser. Open the browser and go to Network Proxy Setting > Settings > Connection Settings > Enable Manual Proxy Configuration. In this section, enter the IP address and port details. Click on OK and save changes. The setup is done.
Set up SOCKS5 Proxy on uTorrent
If you’re very much into torrent file download or P2P file sharing, then you’ve to learn about configuring a SOCKS5 proxy on the torrent client. As uTorrent is one of the most famous torrent clients, we will explain the setup in this regard.
First, you need to go to Preferences > Connection > Proxy Server. Enter the type of proxy as SOCKS5 proxy and provide the proxy and port details. Click on Apply and then on OK. The setup is finished.
Types of Proxies
SOCKS5 is not the only kind of proxy that we have today. We have various other types as well. Let’s have a detailed comparison of all these kinds of proxies.
Different proxies based on protocol
Proxies are categorized as per the type of protocol they are using. Based on these differentiating factors, the three key proxies are HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5.
We already know what SOCKS5 is. Let’s learn about the other two.
HTTP proxy uses HTTP or HyperText Transfer Protocol to establish a connection between the client and the server. As HTTP is the most commonly used protocol, it’s very common to find an HTTP proxy.
HTTPS proxy is an extra secure version of HTTP as it’s backed by SSL encryption. This is why it’s most commonly used in operations like credit card processing, login/password, and online transactions.
These two proxies, when compared with SOCKS5, tend to outperform at the security level as encryption and secure connections are provided. Sadly, SOCKS5 lacks both of these things. But, SOCKS5 outperforms these two when it comes to flexibility. SOCKS5 proxy is compatible with almost all types of connections and protocol types. So, you’ll have more freedom with SOCKS5.
SOCKS5 vs HTTPS vs HTTP
|
SOCKS5 Proxy |
HTTP Proxy |
HTTPS Proxy |
Protocol |
SOCKS5 |
HTTP |
HTTPS |
Operative Layer (of OSI model) |
5th |
7th |
7th |
Encryption |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Security |
Lacks standard tunnel encryption. |
Adds an extra layer of security |
Adds SSL encryption to make the connection extra secure |
Different proxies based on source
SOCKS5 proxies and many other proxies are further divided into two categories based on the origin source. These two categories are data center and residential SOCKS5 proxies.
Datacenter SOCKS5 proxies are constructed in a data center and are known for blazing speed. Because of this, they are recommended for activities like streaming or gaming. However, it’s easy to spot them. So, if your intention behind using a SOCKS5 proxy is to do web scraping, then it’s better not to take the help of a data center SOCKS5 proxy, as many websites easily identify them and block them instantly.
Residential SOCKS5 proxies are the ones that originate at ISP. They seem more practical and genuine. This is why they are perfect for web scraping.
As they seem more authentic, the odds of being blocked or banned are very low. They are limited in number. Hence, it comes at a high cost.
Datacenter SOCKS5 Proxy |
Residential SOCKS5 Proxy |
|
Security |
Less secure as encryption is not there |
Secure than datacenter SOCKS5 proxy as encryption can be added |
Traceability |
Easy to track and spot. Hence, you might face blocking. |
As they are linked with authorized sources and mimic human behavior. So, blocking isn’t going to happen. |
Belongingness |
Doesn’t belong to real devices. Linked with bots |
Belongs to real-time mobiles and data-driven devices. Hence, it seems more genuine. |
Different proxies based on rotation
SOCKS5 proxies are further divided into two categories based on how they keep the IP address.
The first category is rotating proxy. Rotating SOCKS5 proxies change IP addresses very frequently, after every 30 minutes. This is done to make sure that no website can find out that you’re using a proxy. It helps you maintain your anonymity and privacy.
However, this does not always work well as a constant IP address mimics bot-like behavior and has a high chance of being blocked.
The next category is a static SOCKS5 proxy that provides a dedicated IP address that remains linked to use as long as you want. It won’t change frequently. They are useful when you must maintain the same identity for a long time and have a real online presence.
|
Rotational |
Statics |
Activities possible |
Gaming, tormenting, and streaming |
Web scraping and streaming |
Availability |
Limited IP addresses: only a few service providers are offering this |
A wide range of IP addresses are offered |
Key Use Cases of SOCKS5 Proxy
After comparing all the key types of proxies, one thing is clear: SOCKS5 is powerful and highly flexible. This makes it suitable for various actions. Here are some of the key use cases of the SOCKS5 proxy.
Gaming, streaming, and torrenting
If you’re extensively involved in activities like gaming, torrenting (torrent proxies), and streaming, go with the SOCKS5 proxy, as this server can easily process huge data by breaking heavy traffic into small packets. So, you’ll have better speed and performance with this one.
Overcome the internet censorship and geo-restriction
We have already explained above that SOCKS5 and other proxies are able to hide the IP address, which is fundamental to geo-restrictions and internet censorship. So, if you want to access geo-blocked content, then try the SOCKS5 proxy. With its help, you can even unblock the content if it’s hidden behind a firewall.
Secure remote connection on local networks
Try the SOCKS5 proxy if you’ve to establish a secure connection on local networks, as this proxy is flexible enough to combine authentication and encryption via third-party applications.
Web scraping
Seeing the deeper penetration of data in business-related operations, it’s almost certain to conclude that you would need to perform secure web scraping. With web scraping, it’s easy to churn out result-driven value from unstructured data.
It’s done with the help of bots that filter a huge amount of data. Even though web scraping is possible with HTTPS proxy, experts recommend using SOCKS5 proxy as it can scrape the data on TCP and UDP connections. Because of this feature, it’s easy to scrap the data even from live-streaming videos. This type of data scraping isn’t possible with any other kind of proxy.
Save money on subscription-based services
Subscription-based services have diverse pricing. For instance, the per-month subscription to Netflix is $1.42 in India, while the same subscription costs $2.66 for Kenyan citizens. This price difference is because of many reasons, which will be discussed another day.
But, with a SOCKS5 proxy, you can get the IP address of the desired location and save a huge deal of money.
How to Get a SOCKS5 Proxy?
As the use of SOCKS5 proxies is highly recommended, many service providers have started offering this security solution. However, one must remain extra vigilant while picking up a SOCKS5 proxy server. This abundance can be a serious headache.
Here is a quick list of a few factors that should be kept in mind while selecting a SOCKS5 proxy provider:
Connection quality
Connection quality matters the most. Hence, it should be the top selection criterion. Generally, the speed of the SOCKS5 proxy is high because data is transferred in a small data packet. Still, you should pay attention to the connection quality. Make sure that the servers are strategically deployed and optimized at all speeds.
Customization facility
Customization is the need of the hour as it helps a user to make a solution work according to the need of the hour. End-users must have various transport layers, connection types, and server selection facilities. A service provider that offers endless customization brings the best ROI.
Check the pool size
The next factor to consider when selecting a proxy server is the pool size. The connection pool size is what decides the performance of a proxy server. The bigger the pool size, the more requests a proxy server can handle simultaneously without reducing the speed or connection quality.
User interface
Of course, the user interface should be the prime selection criterion. If an app is too complex or cumbersome, then you won’t be able to make the most out of it. Also, such a solution won’t fit every sort of user. The user interface should be a breeze to handle.
Cost
Price matters. There is no point in selecting a service provider that is way out of your spending capacity. The best option is the one that offers quality features at an affordable cost. Set a budget first and keep your hunt around it.
Refer to a detailed SOCKS5 proxy list
Many platforms offer detailed proxy SOCKS5 comparisons. They assess every crucial aspect from close and with an expert review. With such a list, it’s easy to make a decision.
Are Free SOCKS5 Proxies Useful?
While you’re searching for SOCKS5 proxies, it’s obvious to come across some free options. We won’t blame you if you have thought of trying them because we all love free stuff. But, the free proxy is not something that you try just like that.
As it handles your IP address, it’s very crucial to lay faith only in a trusted service provider. Most of the free proxies lack security and encryption. Hence, your data isn’t saved. In fact, some of the free SOCKS5 proxy websites are not even actual sites.
It’s just a dummy platform created to lure people. Such sites are heavily infected and malware-filled. Accessing them will lead to certain harm to the device and visitor.
Also, free proxies are shared proxies. We all know that shared proxies are used by many at a time, and we have no control over who is accessing them. It’s also very difficult to find out whether they are banned. Using a banned proxy will create further trouble for you. So, it’s better to avoid the SOCKS5 free option.
The server coverage is also very limited. All in all, SOCKS5 proxy free is nothing but a headache. So, using the free version of a trusted SOCKS5 proxy service provider is better. This way, you can save money while enjoying trusted servers only.
Final Say
Regarding securing the internet, there is no excuse to make it, as this is a non-negotiable topic. If you’ve got a zest for making the internet secure, there are ample options offered to you, and the SOCKS5 proxy is one of the most trusted ones. Suitable for all sorts of networks, the SOCKS5 proxy is a hard pass. However, the various types of proxies and abundance of service providers can confuse a future SOCKS5 proxy user.
This post highlights all the key aspects that should be considered while selecting a SOCKS5 proxy server. We hope that its purpose is fulfilled well. So, if you haven’t started using a SOCKS5 proxy server, start today.
You will find these articles useful as well:
- Reverse Proxy Guide To Refer in 2024
- What Is Forward Proxy – The Mystery Is Solved
- Your One-Stop Guide to Web Proxy [With Steps to Use it]
FAQs
If a torrent proxy isn’t working, then the best way to resolve this issue is to reconnect it by configuring it once again. If the proxy server you’re using is compatible with the torrent client, then you’ll have hassles using it. But, if you’re still facing troubles, then you need to connect with the service provider.