How to Check the Quality of Proxy Servers?
How to choose a reliable proxy server for work? Don't know? We have prepared comprehensive material on this topic for our users. Today we will tell you everything about quality proxies, their characteristics, and selection rules.
Choosing a Proxy Server Provider. A Few Simple Rules
The first thing a user does when they need a proxy server is to search for a suitable provider. There is a lot of advertising, offers, and different companies on the internet. But whom to trust? We have prepared a few simple rules for choosing a provider.
- Carefully study the company's reputation and user reviews. Explore reviews about the provider on forums, websites, or the company's social networks. Reliable providers have different and numerous reviews. Reliable providers do not “clean” negative reviews as they listen to and consider their clients' opinions.
- Choose a provider that offers high-speed proxies with minimal latency. This is important for tasks requiring high bandwidth.
- Make sure the provider uses modern encryption technologies and guarantees protection against data leaks. Check if the provider has a strict no-logs policy. This means they do not save information about your internet activity.
- Geographical diversity. A reliable provider should offer a wide range of GEOs. This will allow you to easily change countries and regions, which is important for stable work on the internet.
- Make sure that technical support and customer service are at the proper level. The support team should actively respond to requests and help solve problems if they arise. Before paying for a proxy package, talk to support, request a consultation, and look at the quality of their work.
- Availability of trial proxy packages. Many companies that are confident in their product provide trial periods (from 1 day to 7). This will help you get to know the proxies better and understand the level of quality.
Difference Between Quality and Low-Quality Proxy Servers?
1. Reliability and Stability
Quality Proxy:
- Guarantees a high level of uptime close to 99.9%.
- Uses reliable equipment and is located in data centers with high levels of protection and redundancy.
Low-Quality Proxy:
- Frequent failures and low availability percentage.
- Located on unreliable equipment or in poorly maintained data centers.
2. Speed and Bandwidth
Quality Proxy:
- Offers high connection speed and large bandwidth without limitations.
- Optimized for working with large volumes of data and high loads.
Low-Quality Proxy:
- Limited bandwidth and low speed, resulting in delays and interruptions in communication.
3. Security and Privacy
Quality Proxy:
- Offers a high level of encryption and data protection.
- Adheres to a no-disclosure policy for user data and has strict measures to prevent leaks.
Low-Quality Proxy:
- Lack of proper encryption and risk of data leakage.
- Stores logs of user activity, which can lead to the compromise of personal information.
4. Customer Support
Quality Proxy:
- Offers 24/7 customer support with a quick response to requests and problems.
- Several communication channels are provided: chat, phone, email.
Low-Quality Proxy:
- Limited or non-existent support, long wait times for responses to requests.
Checking Proxy Quality
So you have chosen a provider and a proxy server. Before starting work, we recommend conducting your own quality check on a few points.
Connection Speed
How to check: Use internet speed testing tools like Ookla's Speedtest to measure download and upload speeds through the proxy. A good proxy should provide the stated connection speed, which slightly differs from a direct connection without a proxy.
Anonymity Indicators
How to check: Visit sites like WhatIsMyIP.com through the proxy and check whether your real IP address or the proxy IP is displayed. The proxy should completely hide the real IP address, replacing it with its own.
IP Blocking Quality
How to check: Try to access websites that are blocked in your country or organization. A quality proxy should guarantee bypassing blocks.
DNS Leak Test
How to check: Use specialized online services like DNS Leak Test to see which DNS servers are used when connecting through the proxy. DNS requests should go through the proxy server without revealing the use of a local DNS provider.
Protocol Support Check
How to check: Check whether the proxy supports protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS. The proxy should support the necessary protocols for the corresponding type of traffic and tasks.
Uptime
How to check: Monitor the proxy's performance over an extended period or request feedback on service stability from other users. The proxy should provide a stable connection without frequent disconnections or downtimes.
Malware Test
How to check: Use antivirus scanners and specialized services to check traffic through the proxy for malicious code. Traffic through the proxy should not contain malware, and the proxy server should not redirect you to suspicious sites.
Additional Proxy Quality Check Options
In addition to the classic proxy server check options, there are other methods. You will have to do this yourself.
- Check the address in proxy server lists or blacklists (such as RBLS) If the proxy server appears in the Real-time Blackhole List (RBL) or other similar lists, it indicates that its IP address has been spotted in spreading spam, participating in DDoS attacks, or other malicious activities.
- Search for the proxy IP address in search engines and pay attention to the context in which it is mentioned If the proxy IP address is frequently mentioned on the internet, it indicates its popularity or mass use. It is highly likely that this proxy address is open and available to the general public, which increases the risks of its use for fraud.
- Check the address using FreeProxy Checker or analogs. If the proxy address is listed as "Open," it does not guarantee safe use. Open proxies are less secure as they are available to the general public without authentication.
- Check the whois description of the address. Whois queries provide information about the IP address owner and its assignment. Check the IP address through whois queries to get information about its origin and use.
FAQ. Answering Questions
Can I get a refund for a proxy server?
In most cases, you cannot get a refund for a proxy server as it contradicts the rules. But there are exceptions when technical errors occur. In such a case, we advise you to contact customer support and resolve the issue individually.
What if the proxy does not meet expectations?
You need to be more careful. Each proxy server or package has its technical characteristics. All information about the proxy server is in the package description. If you have doubts, it is better to write to support and consult, ask questions about the aspects that are important to you. Proxyma support works around the clock and is ready to help with the selection.
How to choose the best proxy for your tasks?
The first thing to do is determine the ultimate goal of using a proxy: traffic arbitrage, working on social networks, improving marketing campaigns, or security. Only then choose the appropriate server. In our catalog, proxy servers are presented by relevant categories. If you have doubts, it is better to consult with customer support.
What to do if I can't connect to the proxy server?
If you encounter difficulties connecting to a proxy server in an anti-detect browser, you can check our connection guides. If they do not help, support is ready to help solve your problem.
