All You Need to Know About SOCKS5

Certain websites, apps, and online services may be prohibited in some countries but not others. An excellent example of such restrictions are social networks, torrents, and communication apps. If you have ever seen the words, “This content is not available in your country,” then you know what we’re talking about. This automated response is often frustrating and dumbfounding to users.

Thankfully, there’s a viable solution to help you navigate the net legally, securely, and anonymously – SOCKS5! SOCKS5 is a communication protocol that you can use to surf the net and use everything it offers without restrictions. If you don’t already know about SOCKS5, then this article is for you.

What Is SOCKS5 and What Can It Do for You

Before things get complicated, let’s first clarify a couple of terms:

• Proxy server

A proxy server is a computer that connects you to the server by providing a gateway between your local network and the internet. This computer intercepts connections between the sender and receiver by transferring the incoming data from the entry port and into the network.

Another significant role that proxy servers play is providing security by concealing a user’s real-time IP address. This means that your IP address can show that you’re in Los Angeles while actually in Japan.

• Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

TCP is a transportation protocol used to transfer data from the entry point to the designated recipient and in the correct order.

• User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

Like TCP, the UDP protocol is also used to transfer data to the designated recipient without a specific order. In some cases, the data may not even get to its destination. It is a connectionless protocol preferred for its speed in data delivery.

SOCKS, short for Socket Secure, is an internet protocol used to link users to servers via a proxy. This connection is made by routing network traffic through a firewall while concealing your actual IP address.

Although there are several SOCKS versions , SOCKS5 is the latest and the most popular. Users prefer this latest version since it doesn’t require a high-security level. This means that although SOCKS5 will hide your real IP, it will not encrypt your traffic.

SOCKS5 Proxy vs. Other Proxies

To better understand SOCKS5, you’ll first need to compare it against other proxies to see how well it performs. This way, you can figure out whether it’s a good fit for you.

• SOCKS5 Proxy Versus HTTP Proxy

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is the most common protocol on the internet, with HTTPS serving as its secure extension. Read this blog on HTTP vs HTTPS proxy to understand the difference. An HTTP proxy works in conjunction with the HTTP protocol to send data via the internet. Although HTTP proxies are great for unblocking some geo-restricted content, they don’t necessarily work well with other protocols. On the other hand, SOCKS5 proxies work well with different protocols without interpreting the traffic between a device and the server.

• SOCKS5 Proxy Versus VPN

VPN (Virtual Private Network) provides you with safe internet connections. This means that the VPN technology encrypts your data before transmitting it to the net. A VPN also alters your IP address and creates a secure channel between your device and the VPN server. As a result, your data is safe from hackers, your connection remains secure, while your IP address remains anonymous. Although SOCKS5 is generally faster than VPN and also alters your IP address, it does not encrypt your data.

Benefits of Using SOCKS5 Proxies

Not all businesses use SOCKS5 - some are satisfied with HTTPS proxies. H owever, if your need to transfer traffic-intensive data (like streaming music and videos), then SOCKS5 proxy will do the job. Below are some of the perks your business will enjoy by using SOCKS5 proxies.

• It hides your location

Your IP address remains hidden since the input data passes through a proxy server before reaching its destination. This means that your address will seem to be originating from the SOCKS5 proxy server.

• It improves security over other proxies

Although certain IT gurus consider SOCKS5 unreliable, it is still more secure than most proxies.

• It can bypass geo-blocking and restricted content

Most people have come across sites or apps prohibited in some areas. The best solution in such a case is using a SOCKS5 proxy, which will adopt a different location and server where your desired content is available. For instance, you can enjoy Telegram in a country where it is banned.

• It allows you to control the affected apps

SOCKS5 proxy is perfect for users who want to use it on specific apps rather than all their traffic. It allows you to select the programs that you’d like to protect.

• Setup is only required once per app

Another great thing about SOCKS5 is that you won’t need to remember to start it every time you launch the app. Once you configure the proxy to your desired apps, SOCKS5 will automatically connect you to the proxy server.

IPRoyal – Your Ultimate Proxy Solution

At IPRoyal, we provide private and secure proxies at prices that are suitable for all businesses. All our private proxies allow SOCKS5 connections, meaning that your business transactions will stay safe and anonymous. For more information, get in touch with our team today!