Сравнение VPN и прокси-серверов: что лучше для безопасности и конфиденц иальности

VPN: entity and functionality

VPN — an abbreviation of Virtual Private Network. Within this network, by default, all traffic (incoming and outgoing) is encrypted. Therefore, all information transmitted and received by the user is protected and private only for them. This applies to personal, financial, and technical information. When encrypted information is intercepted, malicious actors will not be able to use it. Additionally, encryption is carried out for all applications connected to the Internet through the VPN, even background ones, since the VPN includes the device itself connected to the Internet in the private network, not just its individual programs and applications. Consequently, the entire connection is protected, operating at the system level, routing all online traffic through itself without exception.
VPN successfully conceals the user's real IP address, making it impossible to track the user's geographical location not only for malicious actors aiming to intercept traffic but also for the Internet provider and any regulatory authorities. VPN also allows bypassing geo-restrictions, enabling access to websites and applications that do not operate without it in certain countries.

Proxy Server: entity and functionality

While a proxy server can also hide the user's real IP address, it has several differences from VPN. The difference between proxy and VPN is as follows:

• Connection to a proxy server is made by a specific application or program (most often a browser), while other programs continue to operate under the visible, real IP of the user's device;
• Only basic IP masking is performed, but there is no traffic encryption, which reduces security, but increases data transfer speed, which can be important for large volumes of traffic;
• Proxy servers can filter content and individual websites, blocking access to, for example, dangerous sites.

Comparing proxy server and VPN

Of course, any application connecting to the Internet can technically be configured to use a proxy server, but in practice, such setup takes a long time, and some background processes and services will not use the proxy. Therefore, if a user wants to maximize data security and their work online, choosing a VPN is recommended. Note that VPNs operate slower than proxies because of their encryption function for all traffic. However, this function provides a higher level of security comparable to a proxy server.
As for connection stability, VPN also has the advantage in this regard, as it experiences few or no disconnections. Proxies, on the other hand, are susceptible to connection drops and periodic server blocks, which can temporarily make them inaccessible for connection.
If you use public Wi-Fi networks, it is highly recommended to run a VPN on your device, as these networks are known to be particularly vulnerable. Such networks are frequently targeted by fraudsters to steal data, especially financial information.
Summary: a proxy server is an intermediary that takes data from you and delivers it to the recipient, hiding your original IP. VPN is a private encrypted network that encrypts all incoming and outgoing information. If you need a high level of security, your choice should be a VPN.