A VPN network creates a protected connection over a unrestricted network such as a public telecommunication infrastructure, that is, the internet being one of the most important necessities of our daily lives. The encryption for such a connection is provided by using algorithms for having security and the establishment of a reliable connection which is not possible in the case of a proxy server.
The purpose is to maintain the security of data transmission in and out of the intranet while maintaining cost effectiveness, this connection is made easy d by a process called ‘tunneling’.
VPN is further divided into two, independent physical networks and a client who is usually connected through an organization network, however, the connection could work over a public or a private network depending on how it’s used while any interference from a third part is avoided. The connection could work over two distinct geographic boundaries while a VPN setup is a priority by quite a number of manufacturers for the devices they produce. Unlike the proxy server, it’s not only encrypted and secure but allows connection though what can be called as a wide area network for maintaining security of any confidential date, hence, a VPN is always recommended over a proxy server.
It is a server that acts as a connecting location and allows network service to connect to other services in the network cloud. It could be responsible for processing your request to connect to a file, webpage or any other service while the proxy server itself could be located anywhere in the world.
Similarly, the recipient would be oblivious of the source of the request as the only thing visible would be the request coming from the proxy server, therefore, it’s origin would be unknown. In a nutshell it allows for an indirect connection to be established between other network services. It is where the client connects to a proxy server from where a connection is requested to a different server. However, these types of connections are not at all secure and could be seen by a third party with date being vulnerable to theft. This is why a VPN network is known to be more trusted because of its encryption.
Anonymous proxy servers help maintain the privacy and security of the computer behind them and help at staying away from geographic restrictions, eventually; the user’s web browsing is anonymised. However, as mentioned above the problem of insecurity erupts and there is a bit of encryption only or usually none present what so ever, hence, the data being transferred can be deciphered though an SSL proxy could provide better grounds.
On the other hand, free proxy servers have slow connections which hinder data transfer on time and while most such servers have been renowned as spam sources, destination websites often block them. The problem occurs when proxy servers claim to be VPN’s and eventually the difference between the two should be understood well.
In order to have a secure and flawless or rather leak proof connection it is the best advice to have a VPN network as opposed to using a proxy server that does not guarantee reliability and integrity in terms of data sharing due to which confidential data could be put at risk.
Bruno Lewin - MSFT edited Revision 1. Comment: Removing links that are in violation of TOUs