Forward Proxy Protocols

This section introduces various proxy types used to route web traffic through intermediate servers for purposes such as security, anonymity, or access control.

Proxy Type

Description

Use Case

HTTP Proxy

Intercepts and forwards HTTP requests between clients and servers. Supports caching and content filtering.

Web traffic routing and access control.

HTTPS Proxy

Similar to HTTP proxy but supports encrypted traffic (via CONNECT method). Ensures secure proxying for HTTPS traffic.

Encrypted web access and secure inspection.

SOCKS5 Proxy

General-purpose proxy that operates at Layer 5. Supports TCP/UDP and authentication.

Torrenting, gaming, or bypassing restrictions.

FTP Proxy

Proxies FTP control and data commands to manage authentication and access. Relays FTP sessions with command filtering and user controls.

Controlled FTP access and logging.

CGI Proxy

Web‑based proxy that fetches content via HTTP forms without configuring client settings. Enables proxying through constrained environments.

Quick access on restrictive networks; anonymization via browser.

Transparent Proxy

Intercepts traffic without requiring client configuration. Ideal for network-wide caching, filtering, or monitoring.

Enterprise or ISP-level traffic optimization and policy enforcement.

Anonymous Proxy

Reveals it’s a proxy but hides the client’s IP address. Provides moderate anonymity without complete obfuscation.

Privacy-conscious browsing and limited tracing.

Distorting Proxy

Identifies as a proxy and supplies a fake client IP. Misleads destination servers about the user’s origin.

Circumventing IP-based blocks with obfuscation.

High Anonymity (Elite) Proxy

Neither reveals that it’s a proxy nor discloses client IP. Offers maximum anonymity—appears as a direct request.

Maximum privacy browsing with minimal detection.

RFC: Based on HTTP/1.1 (RFC 7230)

Main Features:

  • Forwards only HTTP traffic

  • Supports caching, content filtering, and access control

  • Easy to configure for web clients

Use Cases:

  • Caching and logging web access

  • Restricting access to specific websites

Alternative Proxies:

  • HTTPS – For secure connections

  • SOCKS5 – For general-purpose proxying

Let us learn more about HTTP Proxy:

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RFC: Uses HTTP CONNECT method (RFC 2817)

Main Features:

  • Proxies encrypted HTTPS traffic

  • Enables SSL/TLS tunneling

  • Useful for secure inspection in enterprises

Use Cases:

  • Secure browsing with access control

  • Logging encrypted sessions in corporate networks

Alternative Proxies:

  • HTTP – For plain web traffic

  • SOCKS5 – For more flexible tunneling

Let us learn more about HTTPS Proxy:

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RFC: RFC 1928

Main Features:

  • Layer 5 proxy that supports both TCP and UDP

  • Authentication and flexible protocol support

  • No protocol-specific logic (unlike HTTP)

Use Cases:

  • Torrenting, gaming, bypassing geo-blocks

  • Generic proxy support in many applications

Alternative Proxies:

  • HTTP/HTTPS – Simpler for browsers

  • VPN – Encrypts and tunnels all traffic

Let us learn more about SOCKS5 Proxy:

Jump to “SOCKS5 Proxy”

Concept: Application-level FTP relay proxy (application-layer gateway) :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Main Features:

  • Relays FTP control and data sessions, enabling policy enforcement and authentication :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

  • Filters FTP commands (e.g., restricts put, get) and logs operations for auditing :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

  • Manages NAT traversal for FTP by rewriting control/data channel addresses :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Use Cases:

  • Controlled FTP access in corporate or academic environments

  • Enforcing file transfer security and logging activity

  • Handling FTP sessions through NAT/firewalls transparently

Alternative Proxies:

  • SOCKS5 – Wider application support but lacks FTP‑specific command awareness

  • HTTP – Limited support via CONNECT, not native to FTP

Let us learn more about FTP Proxy:

Jump to “FTP Proxy”

Concept: Web-based proxy accessed via a simple CGI interface :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Main Features:

  • Users enter a URL via a web form; the server fetches and returns content

  • No client-side configuration needed

  • Good for bypassing proxy restrictions and enabling anonymity

Use Cases:

  • Accessing blocked sites from restrictive networks

  • Quick proxying when client settings cannot be changed

Alternative Proxies:

  • HTTP Proxy – Requires client configuration

  • VPN – Higher overhead for cross-network tunneling

Let us learn more about CGI Proxy:

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Definition: Intercepts client traffic without needing client configuration :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Main Features:

  • Operates invisibly on the network (no setup on client)

  • Enables caching, content filtering, or monitoring at scale

  • Often implemented at layer 3/4 or via inline network appliances

Use Cases:

  • ISP or enterprise-level traffic optimization

  • Policy enforcement and content caching at the gateway

Alternative Proxies:

  • HTTP Proxy – Requires explicit client configuration

  • Reverse Proxy – Serves content from back-end servers

Let us learn more about Transparent Proxy:

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Definition: Identifies as a proxy but hides the client’s IP :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Main Features:

  • Masks user’s IP while revealing proxy use

  • Useful when some anonymity is needed but proxies are allowed

Use Cases:

  • Privacy protection in restricted networks

  • Moderate anonymity for browsing and testing

Alternative Proxies:

  • Distorting Proxy – Adds false client IPs for obfuscation

  • High Anonymity Proxy – Removes all proxy footprints

Let us learn more about Anonymous Proxy:

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Definition: Identifies as a proxy and supplies a fake client IP :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Main Features:

  • Adds misleading client IP in requests

  • Masks real origin creatively

Use Cases:

  • Evading basic IP filters or geo-blocks

  • False origin attribution in moderate anonymity setups

Alternative Proxies:

  • Anonymous Proxy – Masks, but does not mislead

  • High Anonymity Proxy – No proxy trace at all

Let us learn more about Distorting Proxy:

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Definition: Hides the proxy’s existence and user’s IP :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Main Features:

  • Appears as a direct client request

  • Provides maximum anonymity and resists detection

Use Cases:

  • Privacy-sensitive browsing situations

  • Avoiding detection by target servers or surveillance

Alternative Proxies:

  • Anonymous Proxy – Discloses proxy identity only

  • VPN – Encrypts but may reveal proxy endpoint

Let us learn more about High Anonymity Proxy:

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