What is a Residential Proxy?

A residential proxy is a system that allows you to surf the web from a specific location as a residential user of that location. Such a proxy server mimics a residential location as opposed to a data center or VPN server. The advantage of residential proxies is that you can surf the web as a real user of that location. This can improve your overall web experience by avoiding monitoring, website geofences, and general IP tracking.

Let’s understand what a residential proxy is in more detail.

Residential Proxies: How Do They Work?

A residential proxy routes your web traffic through a server that’s located in another location. This server generates and assigns you a random residential IP address that conceals your original address. All web communication that you make – web browsing, downloading a file, streaming a video – is channeled via this new IP address. This action makes you near anonymous and looks like a real user of that location. This is the biggest advantage of using a residential proxy as compared to traditional proxies.

It also highlights the major difference between a residential proxy and a residential VPN. While the former uses a server to generate residential IPs, residential VPNs like TuxlerVPN use 100% real residential IPs. We do this primarily by maintaining a residential IP network.

Do note that some residential proxies use real devices to generate residential IPs. In such cases, there is no difference between a residential proxy and a VPN.

Applications of Residential Proxies: Why Use Them?

Residential proxies protect your privacy by making you near anonymous on the web. Due to their HTTPS encryption, they also provide better security to your communication as compared to regular proxies.

Here are some of the most common use cases of residential proxies.

Hiding online

The most popular use of residential proxies is to conceal your web location and identity online and still surf the web without any restrictions. If you have used regular proxies and free VPNs before, you know how some websites tend to deny you access. They do this as they suspect you to be a bot or a user hiding behind a server with a possible ulterior motive. With residential proxies, you will come off as a real user from that specific location.

Manage business interests

Another critical application of residential proxies is a digital marketing and ad tracking. You can undertake web scraping and site monitoring without any restrictions to gather information about your competitors. This information can in turn assist you in your marketing strategies.

Avoiding phishing and targeted cyberattacks

When you route your web traffic through a residential proxy, your web location (i.e., your IP address) is hidden. This protects you from any targeted cyberattacks that may be sent your way by frauds. You can bounce these attacks off using a proxy as a protective cover and continue to enjoy the web in all its glory.
As you can see, a residential IP is an essential commodity today. You can get one by using a residential proxy or buying a residential VPN. The downside of the former is that it can get both expensive and difficult to set up. For an easier alternative, consider TuxlerVPN.

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