With online security threats and malware on the rise, almost every business is tasked with an enormous responsibility of safeguarding its data. Most of this data usually contains sensitive information that can either be an employee's data or business-related data.

With that said, this article will tell you how you can protect your data using dedicated proxies. You will learn the basic concepts of dedicated and shared proxies, and which type can be suitable for your business.

What is a Proxy and How Does it Work?

A proxy server can be defined as the gateway between a person or a business and the internet. Whenever a person logs into the web either through a proxy server of his office or on a virtual private network, there is always internet traffic that flows through the proxy server.

The internet traffic is then directed towards the address that was requested. After which, the request then comes back through the same proxy where the data you asked for is forwarded.

Therefore, it is safe to say that a proxy server acts as an interim server used to separate end-users from the various websites they browse.

So how does proxy work?

Every computer is programmed to have a unique IP address which enables websites to send accurate data to the correct computer.

For example, when you want to search for something on the web, your request is processed and connected by your internet service provider. The ISP is usually at liberty to reveal your IP address. Remember, your IP address is like the physical address of your computer.

However, when you are using a proxy server, all your online requests are rerouted. Your requests go through the same process, but this time, the requests get sent to the proxy server, which masks your IP address. This guarantees you that the data requested cannot be traced back to your computer's IP address.

Why Should Businesses Start Using Proxies?

1. Controlled Internet Usage

By using a proxy server, a business can monitor how their employees use the company's internet connection. This greatly helps a business to know how its employees are spending most of their time. Is it by working or by browsing different web pages during working hours?

As a business entity, you can ensure that your employees are not neglecting their duties and accessing non-work-related websites by configuring the proxy servers, whereby employees are denied access to specific sites.

2. Masked IP Addresses

Most organizations and businesses use proxy servers to access the internet more privately. By doing so, you can keep your personal information secure as the web page you are browsing cannot be traced back to you.

3. Improved Internet Speeds

A good proxy server should be able to offer every business an improved general internet performance. Proxy servers can save copies of various websites locally. These saved pages are known as 'caches and can load much faster than non-cached web pages.

4. Access to Blocked Resources

Since proxy servers don't use the actual IP address, it can navigate through and bypass restricted content without being discovered. This gives any business the advantage of accessing even limited data.

This is especially helpful if your government has put restriction measures on some of the web pages. You simply need to use a proxy server, and voila, you can have access to the free and open internet.

5. Improved Security

The fact that a proxy server hides your identity is a sure way of ensuring your safety. Chances of online security threats and malware are significantly reduced. Configuring your proxy server to convert your web requests, can help keep prying eyes from accessing your dealings.

Do not forget that it is essential to find a reliable proxy service provider because using questionable proxies may cause security issues.

Comparing Dedicated and Shared Proxies

The main difference between dedicated and shared proxies is that dedicated proxies are usually given entirely to one particular user. On the other hand, shared proxies are generally shared by multiple users at the same time.

This is why when it comes to the topic of dedicated IP vs shared IP, it's generally better that companies opt for dedicated proxies.

Reasons Why a Dedicated Proxy is Suitable for Companies

Speed

Dedicated proxies usually have a very high internet speed. Every company craves to have a fast internet connection. This is, however, not the case with shared proxies.

They can be slow and, therefore, disappointing. The server's bandwidth can become overloaded, especially if multiple users are online all at the same time. With dedicated proxies, you can avoid all this and enjoy a fast internet connection.

Security

Another major reason for companies to use dedicated proxies is that they offer enhanced security for your data. This significantly lowers the potential for cybercrime.

Costs

Although dedicated proxies are more expensive than shared proxies, they are more worth investing in as they offer more features and exclusivity than shared proxies.

If you are looking for a proxy that will provide you with speed, reliability, security, and anonymity, you should settle for a dedicated proxy.

Conclusion

Businesses should no longer have to live in fear of losing their valuable data. Attacks from cybercrimes should be a thing of the past too. With dedicated proxies, you can browse the internet without the fear of risking your data while keeping your personal information private.