In 2022, cyber attacks cost businesses and Internet users at least $6 trillion. Since 2018, at least 26% of internet users have used anonymity tools such as proxy and VPNs to enhance their browsing security.
Among the multiple proxy types, SOCKS, and HTTP proxies are two of the best options for getting one. SOCKS and HTTP proxies function as intermediaries, providing a safe route for transmitting requests. Both proxies connect clients with third-party websites in a similar way.
Despite the similarities, SOCKS and HTTP proxies have a few differences. Continue reading to discover more of their distinctions.
🔑Key Takeaways
- Proxies such as SOCKS and HTTPS have similar functions: enhance online anonymity and provide greater control over browsing activities.
- SOCKs ensure proper data delivery between a client and a web server.
- Apart from data delivery, users utilize SOCKS proxies for web scraping, enabling traffic-intensive transport, establishing remote connections for local networks, and bypassing internet restrictions.
- HTTP proxies add a layer of anonymity and control by acting as intermediaries between clients and web servers.
Differences Between SOCKS and HTTP
SOCKS and HTTP proxies work the same way. They both help enhance users’ online anonymity by masking their IP addresses.
However, unlike SOCKS proxies, HTTP proxies have a deeper understanding of network traffic. They can interpret and handle the traffic using the HTTP protocol specific to web communication.
The following sections will further discuss everything about HTTP vs. SOCKS proxy. Read on.
SOCKS
Socket Secure (SOCKS) proxies are a way to transfer data between a client (like your computer) and a web server. They use Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), which helps guarantee the data gets where it needs to go.
Once the connection is established, the SOCKS proxy sends and receives data between the client and the destination. This process may slow the data transfer but ensures the data is delivered correctly.
The two recent and most used versions of SOCKS proxies are SOCKS4 and SOCKS5.
In comparison, SOCKS4 and SOCKS5 differ significantly based on several factors, such as usage and process, protocols, rate of data transfer, and access to sites and other online resources.
A SOCKS5 proxy is an improved version of SOCKS4. The difference is that a SOCKS5 proxy adds encryption to network traffic using Secure Shell (SSH) tunneling. This encryption helps protect the data being transferred.
Below are the situations in which a SOCKS proxy is best used:
1. Web scraping
- Extracts valuable data from websites for analysis
- Utilizes automated programs (bots) for data extraction
- Enables scraping from any TCP or UDP transport
2. Traffic-intensive transport
- Ideal for peer-to-peer (P2P), gaming, and streaming
- Helps transfer large amounts of data quickly
- Enables web scraping from traffic-intensive sources like video or live streams
3. Remote connections for local networks
- Useful for businesses establishing secure remote connections
- Combining with authentication and encryption ensures security
4. Bypass internet restrictions
- Can bypass many firewalls but may get blocked by advanced ones
- Allows access to websites with geo-restrictions
- Helps circumvent government censorship
| 💡Did You Know? Everyone is vulnerable to cyberattacks. Given this dilemma, SOCKS helps protect your online identity by changing a data’s original IP address. It also allows simple troubleshooting, compatibility with other vendors’ products, and better data flow understanding. |
HTTP
HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) proxies act as intermediaries between clients and web servers, providing a layer of anonymity and control.
When a client wishes to access a website, it sends an HTTP request to the targeted website. The HTTP proxy then establishes a connection between the two. Once the HTTP proxy receives the request, it hides the real IP address of the client by giving them a different one.
The HTTP proxy connects with the web server. If the website accepts the connection request, the proxy gains access to the website. It retrieves the requested HTTP information and sends it back to the client.
Below are the situations in which an HTTP proxy can be utilized:
1. Filter content
- Filters incoming content, preventing unauthorized files from being stored
- Protects against malware, spyware, and ransomware attacks
2. Anonymize connections
- Hides the user’s actual IP address by letting them choose a proxy address
3. Promote security
- Examines HTTP headers to determine the content source for security
- Blocks websites known for questionable content
- Acts as a firewall to protect your computer
SOCKS vs HTTP Proxies: The Differences and Use Cases
SOCKS vs. HTTP
While SOCKS and HTTP proxies’ processes and purposes overlap, they differ in many ways. The table below highlights the disparities between the SOCKS and HTTP proxies:
| Criteria | SOCKS Proxy | HTTP Proxy |
| Performance | Offers incredible speeds It is ideal for downloading or transferring data. | Decent load speeds It is better suited for managing more requests per second. |
| Security | Provides a heightened level of security SOCKS proxies only send and receive data, not read it. | Debatable security It may compromise data integrity since it can read and record data. |
| Functionality | Doesn’t directly use the HTTP protocol It’s commonly used for content streaming, P2P methodologies, and file sharing. | Handles HTTP traffic It is frequently used for information retrieval through web browsers and can be set up for caching web data and content filtering. |
| Compatibility | Compatible with any traffic | Compatible with HTTP traffic only |
| Integration | Connects with more limited tools | Connects with virtually any tool |
| Encryption | It does not provide data encryption | Encrypts data |
| Authentication | It does not have an authentication mechanism | Supports multiple authentication mechanisms |
| 📝Note: There are various types of proxies depending on the purpose. Each proxy differs in privacy level, access control, content filtering, and ability to bypass geolocation. Proxy servers differ in ease of use, features, performance, price, and support. We have curated a comprehensive guide about the market’s most trusted and tested ones. |
Benefits And Drawbacks Of Using SOCKS And HTTP
Like any other tool on the web, proxies have positive and negative qualities. A SOCKS proxy offers several advantages and disadvantages.
Check out the table below to learn more about what they are:
| SOCKS Proxies | |
| Pros | Cons |
| Bypass internet restrictions | Lack of encryption during transmission, leading to vulnerability to hacking |
| Improved connection speed and stability | Intrusive ads and pop-ups that may carry viruses |
| Doesn’t rewrite data packets, meaning fewer errors in the process | May expose your identity to unknown parties |
| Faster downloads since data packets are much smaller | |
Likewise, an HTTP proxy also has its benefits and detriments. Here’s a table summarizing them:
| HTTP Proxies | |
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers flexibility and can work with different protocols and networks | Read your data, compromising its integrity |
| Compatible with various third-party tools | Slower than SOCKS proxies because it only supports TCP |
| Excellent performance and faster page loading due to caching | |
| Provides secure encryption and protects your data | |
| Interpret and filter data so it’s suitable for web scraping | |
Bottom Line
When comparing SOCKS and HTTP proxies, it is crucial to understand their dissimilarities and use cases.
A SOCKS proxy offers broader application compatibility and better support for protocols. Meanwhile, an HTTP proxy provides more granular control over web traffic.
Choose the proxy type based on your needs for optimal performance and security. Get a SOCKS proxy if you’re looking for comprehensive coverage. If you want a proxy for specific online activities, then an HTTP proxy is the right choice.
FAQs
Can proxies track you?
Yes. While a proxy can change your IP address, it doesn’t hide it completely. The proxy server retains information about your original IP address plus the IP addresses of the websites you access.
Is SOCKS better than a VPN for torrenting?
A SOCKS5 proxy is often better for torrenting due to its faster speeds, but lacks encryption. Torrenting sites may contain harmful content; only a VPN can provide secure connectivity.
What port is an HTTP proxy?
Port 80 proxies are commonly used for HTTP communications. The alternatives to this are 8080 and 8008.
Timeline Of The Article
By Harsha Kiran
Harsha Kiran is the founder and innovator of Techjury.net. He started it as a personal passion project in 2019 to share expertise in internet marketing and experiences with gadgets and it soon turned into a full-scale tech blog with specialization in security, privacy, web dev, and cloud computing.