SOCKS5 Proxy and its Benefits

Like many other internet protocols, SOCKS channelizes packets between a server and a client with the help of a proxy server. The packets of information are transferred through a proxy server that generates an arbitrary IP address before the information reaches its destination.

SOCKS5 is the latest version that uses proxy servers to form User Datagram Protocol (UDP) or Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) through arbitrary IP addresses.

For instance, for an IP address 1.2.3.4, the traffic will be routed through a SOCKS Proxy with IP address 5.6.7.8 and the destination, or the target website, will think that the request has come from the latter. The website will never come to know of the original IP address. This means the traffic transmission is anonymous, but at the same time, this protocol lacks security. VPNs, on the other hand, encrypt your traffic, and no one can snoop your activities.

You may also like: How to Configure HAProxy as a Proxy and Load Balancer.

SOCKS5 Proxy Authentication Methods

SOCKS 5 Proxy is the latest SOCKS protocol with enhanced security. It has three types of authentication methods:

• • Null authentication — which means no authentication is required to connect to a proxy.
  •  Username or password authentication- which means you need private login details to connect to a proxy.
  •  GSS-API authentication – Both you and the server use authentication methods at the operating system level to verify your identity.

Why Is SOCKS5 Preferred?

SOCKS5 proxies help you watch or download geographically restricted content and bypass any blocks posed by the ISP provider. Also, SOCKS5 gives an obscured connection from only one application on your PC.

Therefore, you can use multiple applications maintaining the same speed. For example, you can perform fast P2P downloads while using other services such as Google Maps. You’ll retain your normal download rate for any other browsing or streaming.

Advantages of Using SOCKS5 Proxy

Bypass Internet Blocks

As the proxy server is a relay between your device and the internet, you can easily bypass internet blocks with it. If a website blocks your IP address or your VPNs IP server is blocked by a website, you can use SOCKS5 proxy to overcome this block. However, it won’t help you to circumvent national firewalls, as most of them use deep packet inspection (DPI). This means that your traffic is blocked by your ISP before it reaches the website.

No Program, Protocol, or Traffic Limitations

There is no limitation with SOCKS5 proxies, unlike the HTTP proxies that can work with only HTTP and HTTPS. Not being specific and high level like the HTTP proxy is an advantage for SOCKS5, as it can work with any traffic and handle any program or protocol.

Faster and More Reliable Connections

In earlier versions of these proxies, TCP protocol was used. TCP requires a secure connection between client and server, making sure all data packets arrive in the same order on the other side too. SOCKS5 uses UDP protocol that doesn’t focus on packets reaching in the same order. As a result, the transfer is faster, and the connection is reliable.

Fewer Errors and Improved Performance

Other proxies, unlike the SOCKS5 proxy, rewrite data packet headers. Because of this, there are chances that data is misrouted or mislabelled. As SOCKS5 does not rewrite data packet headers, there are fewer errors, and the performance is better automatically. However, this also means that your data is not secure, as packet headers contain your personal information that can be identified.

Works Well With P2P Platforms

As SOCKS5 Proxy transfers smaller data packets, it is faster than other proxies. SOCKS5 is capable of offering faster download speeds and is popular among users to connect to P2P sharing websites and platforms.

Using SOCKS5 With a VPN

VPNs encrypt your traffic, while proxies just give you anonymity. Also, VPNs provide a more stable connection; proxy connections might drop often. These are fair reasons to use both together and secure your connection.

There are certain advantages of using a proxy over a VPN. Fast speed is the primary advantage; they are used for low-risk tasks quite often. Using both; a proxy and a VPN is advantageous. But using both at once is a question many people might have. Using both simultaneously gives increased privacy if it is supported by your VPN provider.

In case a VPN is connected already, there won’t be any speed increase. Instead, you will have enhanced safety. When you are using both VPN and proxy simultaneously, and your VPN cuts out and the kill-switch fails, SOCKS5 VPN proxy will still keep you protected and the reverse is true too. Using both creates an extra barrier to entry.

For most users, this extra barrier is far from essential. A properly configured VPN should pose little problem. However, if you’re doing something particularly sensitive a combination is a good option. For the best security, you should email your provider and make sure your SOCKS5 VPN proxy has no logs.

Difference Between Free Proxy and SOCKS5

Proxies are not very expensive, but there is a cost involved in keeping services high, unlike free proxies. Free proxies should be used with more caution or should be avoided for the following reasons:

• Performance issues: Free proxies do not offer much support and have a weak, slower infrastructure. This can make the proxy slow and less secure. Free proxy providers also reduce the speed or offer fewer features after a certain time to make you a paying customer. SOCKS5 proxies are faster, as data comes in small packets, and the transfer from A to B is quick.
• Privacy issues: Free proxies monitor user traffic and sell it to third parties. So, if you are seeing ads on websites you love, free proxies could be one of the reasons. On the other hand, SOCKS5 proxy keeps your data private.

SOCKS5 Proxy has many more advantages. You can use it in case you need to change your IP address. This also helps you bypass restrictions or access geographically blocked content.

SOCKS5 Proxy is a preferred choice by users who download torrents. Although, it is better to use a VPN while being connected to a P2P server. VPNs are safe in case you are downloading torrents from a country where torrenting is illegal.

The only disadvantage of using a SOCKS5 proxy is that it lacks encryption. It might be inconvenient for people dealing with online privacy and security matters.

Using SOCKS5 proxies is better than using nothing at all or using free anonymous proxies that offer even less protection. Using free proxies can also be open to hackers and have slow download speeds. Use a subscription-based proxy to bypass internet blocks and other mentioned advantages.

Standalone SOCKS5 proxy is highly-priced when compared to other services. Users can use VPN subscription or Private Internet Access and a VPN SOCKS5 proxy for the same monthly fee. By doing so, you get a solid VPN security, as well as a fast, less secure proxy for non-secured tasks.

Conclusion

Browsing the internet is not a completely secure affair these days. There are possibilities that your ISP or government is watching your activity. Protecting your online activity becomes even more important for a safer and better browsing. Alternatives like proxies and a fully secure SOCKS5 proxy for that matter play an important role in your online protection. Using good SOCKS5 proxy server providers like the Limeproxies will definitely make sure that you are in a safe browsing environment.

Further Reading

• Parallel TCP/IP Socket Server With Multithreading and Multiprocessing in C.
• TCP: Out of Memory — Consider Tuning TCP_Mem..