To fully understand what a residential proxy is, you need to know how computers interact with websites. Every site accessed can identify a computer by its assigned IP address, which is simply data that reveals the location of your local internet provider.
Specific online platforms have been designed to be selective when making their sites available in some zip codes. As such, they tend to block users from interacting with them. This process is usually automated due to the fingerprint your device leaves online through cookies, for example. According to PrivateProxy and residential proxies meaning, it’s designed to bypass this issue, enabling you to go to any site regardless of your ISP. Let’s look at what they are and the basis of their function.
Definition
Residential proxies are techniques widely used to mask the location of internet users. Some content provided by certain websites may be restricted based on your ISP. These sites will identify your device (by location) and block you whenever you try to go online.
Another similar tool is a data center proxy. To fully comprehend the nature of a residential proxy, it is essential to distinguish the two. Put simply, the IP address of a data center proxy is provided to you by a data center. A common pitfall of using such a method is that many sites are sensitive to IP addresses of this nature.
Conversely, your local internet provider provides the IP address assigned when using a residential proxy. Although both proxy types function as a middleman between you and the sites you are trying to connect to, residential proxies always show specific geolocation. The advantage of this feature is that it legitimizes any request you may potentially make to access information on your target site.
In Layman’s terms, if you don’t want to be banned from any site based on your current IP, getting a residential proxy is one of the best ways to do so. To further justify the previous statement, let’s look at what features you’re taking advantage of by choosing it instead of another different proxy:
- Most websites are not as sensitive to residential IPs. Therefore, your online presence can easily pass for a legitimate geo-location without raising any red flags.
- Thanks to their durability, they can also be easily used to remove previous activity from search engines on websites and social media apps.
- Unlike another type of proxy known as a rotating proxy, residential IP identification by target websites is almost impossible.
Role and function
As previously mentioned, a residential proxy is an intermediary between your device and the target site. The IP address is almost identical to that of a credible internet user, which prevents any website from restricting you. Residential proxies protect your real identity from websites, essentially enabling you to be online anonymously.
This proxy type is extremely useful in system design, for example, load balancing and traffic shaping. Let’s see a little bit more of the role and function. A proxy can be considered a means to conceal a computer’s identity during network communication. Residential proxies are designed to be used in multiple ways. We will take a look at some of the most common ones:
- One of the primary uses is to sweep for detailed data from sites.
- You will also be able to look at any type of content with geographical restrictions.
- Another everyday use is for downloading or adding content to unique torrents in the presence of a decentralized communications model (peer-to-peer).
- The bottom line is that using a residential proxy will allow you to mask your actual physical location and use it for your desired purpose.
It all seems like sunshine and rainbows when the role of residential proxies comes into question. Are they as foolproof as they are made out to be?
Well, like many technologies, they have a few drawbacks. The most prominent one is their limited use of search engines designed to have a limited number of queries per period. Caution must be taken when interacting with such websites, especially when you are constantly trying to gain access to them. Fortunately, there is a way to bypass that obstacle, which comes in the form of a rotating proxy, which we previously mentioned.
How to get your hands on one
Before getting a residential proxy, it is essential to first identify the purpose it will serve you. For instance, you might be a small business owner looking for specific data that may be restricted to a location other than yours. Another reason you might need it is when streaming content is blocked in your location. Many streamers on a platform like Netflix have turned to VPNs, and although they are effective, they are becoming less reliable. Residential proxies are a suitable replacement in this case.
Getting your hands on the IP address is no tussle at all. Thanks to their popularity, they can be procured from your local ISP. In addition, numerous companies provide all types of proxies depending on your preference and needs. Acquiring one is not free of charge, however, with so many providers available, you will find a suitable option.
Final thoughts
Access to internet content and data has never been as easy as today. Thanks to tools such as proxies, you can obtain unique IP addresses that can mask your actual location. As a consequence, you can go on any website that has restrictions on your exact location.
Residential proxies are effective tools to use in keeping your online anonymity.
So we’ve looked at residential proxies and how they function to provide you a blanket from target sites that may otherwise block you. Furthermore, you can easily acquire one locally and through various reputable online providers.
