I’m a complete networking noob here. Can anyone explain the difference between an VPN and a Proxy server. It seems to me that they serve similar functions.
Thanks
Whilst both of these technologies reroute your computers network internet connection and change your IP address they do work in slightly different ways and the products co-exist as customer compatibility with either or both may vary based on firewall security and/or ISP provisions.
Think of a proxy server as a kind of filter, in simple terms the proxy settings are applied to your chosen internet browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox etc). Then when browsing web pages they are routed to you via the proxy with all the benefits associated with the proxy server (i.e. security, speed, geographic location etc).
Unlike a proxy, which only secures the internet browser or software application with the proxy data entered into it, VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypted tunnelling encrypts all your internet access, effectively replacing your local ISP routing 100% for all applications with all the benefits associated with the VPN server (i.e. security, speed, geographic location etc). VPN can easily be connected or disconnected with a click on a desktop icon.
In conclusion a proxy is purely browser based and has less compatibility with certain websites that use non-browser technology (i.e. Zattoo, View TV, 4OD, Sky Player, FOX OD etc); whereas VPN will work with all internet based services but offers less choice on which applications you route through the external server; as with VPN everything is routed whilst you are connected to it.
a proxy server is used mainly for http/https. whereas a vpn can be used for any traffic. a vpn can also offer encryption as well.
You can say that they serve similar function but there are many differences between proxy server and VPN and have different pros and cons you can check out the article link here to understand more better about Proxy vs VPN
Can I get a confirmation or clarification about using a VPN; My home internet is quite slow and can really only support 1-2 devices before it slows to a halt.
When device 1 is connected to a VPN this effect still occurs where device 1 slows down once device 2 starts accessing data online. I’m just curious because you state that generally the VPN grants it’s benefits of speed to the user.
“Speed” is misleading, I think what he’s trying to say is, if your ISP traffic shapes with the most common being for instance, torrent filtering, you won’t be picked up under the same systems, so those specific activities can gain speed, but you’ll never be able to exceed the bandwidth that the pipe going out allows for. In the case of the home user, a VPN or Proxy will still be going through the internet, so you’ll still be limited to your home speed, but in the case of a dedicated VPN/Proxy line (think throwing a long Ethernet cable out your window), you can not only create security but also take advantage of a better connection speed a few blocks away or even to separate building several or even hundreds of miles away.
A VPN does not speed up your internet connection unless someone upstream of you is throttling your data when they detect certain kinds of traffic (torrents being an obvious one).
In fact, a VPN reduces your network bandwidth available by using some of that bandwidth to maintain the VPN and by increasing the size of your data through encryption overhead. If your network packets (the chunks of information being sent) tend to be small then the increased overhead of a VPN can significantly impact your network throughput.
In addition, encrypting traffic requires CPU time, and if that encryption is happening on your router it can lead to performance degradation there.