Are you wondering what you should use to protect yourself online, a proxy or a VPN? As per Cisco’s 2019 survey, 84% of internet users said they valued their data and privacy, and 80% were ready to take action to safeguard them.
US proxy servers and VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are potential solutions as they can help you surf the web securely and bypass IP and data tracking by governments and companies.
Here, we will debunk common myths about proxies and VPNs to help you select the best option for enhancing your online safety and privacy.
Myths Debunked: US Proxy Servers vs VPNs
What is a VPN?
A VPN functions as a private network and encrypts the data you send and receive from the web. It enables you to use your apps and access the websites you want privately and securely.
You can compare a VPN to a safe courier as it takes data from websites and delivers it to your device in a secure manner. It also conceals your IP address and changes your locations to help you access geo-blocked content.
Thus, you can access US Netflix shows from any country. With an office IP, you can access your firm’s file system from remote locations.
What is a US Proxy Server?
A US proxy server is a public server that you can access via a desktop or web app. It gives you access to web pages anonymously and securely. The right proxy server gives you a masked IP address for your computer and browser so that you can surf safely while protecting your data from unscrupulous parties.
With US proxy servers, you can also access geo-restricted entertainment and content from any location.
Debunking the Myths around US Proxy Server vs. VPNs
Now, let’s look at some common myths about US proxy servers and VPNs and verify if they are valid are not.
o VPNs are too expensive
In the US, competition is limited in the broadband sector, which means users have to shell out more while getting lower speeds. In fact, connections are faster in cities like Paris, Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong compared to the US.
These issues mean that US consumers are wary of subscribing to an additional service like a VPN.
But competition is stiff in the VPN market. Hence, providers are looking to keep down their subscription costs to attract more customers.
You can get a reliable VPN connection for as little as $5 per month in the US. Free VPN services like CyberGhost VPN are also available.
o VPN providers keep logs that destroy privacy
VPN services do maintain logs so that they can troubleshoot issues and offer customer support. So, don’t forget to conduct some research on how each provider uses these logs.
Scrutinize the length of time they maintain the records and the detail level. To ensure your privacy and security, select a service that maintains minimum logs for only a short time. You can consider reading here a review of dashlane VPN for your security needs.
o VPN networks cannot be trusted to protect data
Free VPN services may use shared servers and their customers’ bandwidth. In contrast, premium providers have their routers and servers. Some services may sell your personal data to third parties to make money.
Paid services are preferable as they are more likely to have greater control over their servers and facilitate fast and secure data transmission. However, VPNs are not like firewalls as they do not offer protection from online threats like viruses and malware.
So, you need to be careful while downloading content through your VPN.
o Connections are always slow with VPN
VPN providers encrypt the transmitted data for security, making their connections slower than regular web connections. Plus, they may access distant servers, which could slow down the speed of data transfer.
However, premium VPN providers have a limited number of user connections per server, making their services fast and reliable. They may offer thousands of server locations, which means you can connect to a nearby server and enjoy fast browsing speeds.
o VPNs are illegal
Some countries that implement online surveillance and internet censorship have banned VPNs. There’s also a myth that only criminals and hackers favor VPNs as they help them perform their crimes without worrying about the law.
The truth is VPNs are perfect if you want to protect your online data, research sensitive subjects, and browse the web privately and safely. For example, there are recommended VPNs for the UK by VPNOnline.com.
VPN vs. US Proxy Server – The Difference
| Factors | US Proxy Server | VPN |
| Security | Free proxy services offer questionable security, so you should ideally look for a quality paid provider. | Commercial VPN services are entirely secure as they encrypt your data. Even your ISP will not know your browsing activities. |
| Privacy | It functions as an intermediary and cloaks your IP from the websites you visit. | VPNs completely encrypt your transmitted data, making it safe from online spies and hackers. You can even use public Wi-Fi networks without worrying about malicious hackers intercepting your sensitive data. |
| Cookies | It can trick websites into storing their cookies with a separate IP address than your real one. | It considers the IP address of the VPN as your own. This can shield you from digital monitoring techniques like fingerprinting and others. |
| Cost | Free proxy services are available, but for better quality, you should opt for a paid subscription. | VPN services are also available free of cost. If you opt for premium services, the charges start from as little as $5 per month. |
| Connection Speed | A public proxy is relatively slow, and you may not get even 1 Mbps speed. | Premium VPNs are much faster and can give you 50 Mbps speeds or higher. |
However, even with proxies and VPNs, you can still be targeted by unscrupulous advertisers who might use device fingerprinting to show you relevant ads. But as proxies and VPNs mask your IP address, companies will find it harder to identify you and your browsing and buying behaviors.
Also, it is advisable to remove all the cookies from your computer before you start leveraging VPN or US Proxy server, else they may impact your privacy.
Final Words
To summarize, an encrypted premium VPN offers better privacy and security compared to a public US proxy server. You need to pay some money for the VPN subscription, but you can enjoy better connection speed and reliability, among other benefits.
Which of these would you prefer to use? Do let us know!
