What Are SSL Proxies?

There’s a lot of talk about security and privacy these days. In this connected world, there are real concerns about data breaches, hacking, and guarding of private information. Even more so now, when everyone must practice social distancing, protecting yourself online is a paramount concern. In this article, we’ll talk about how SSL proxies make a fantastic option for protecting your anonymity and any personal data you transmit online.

The Protective Shell of SSL

In your efforts to stay safe online, you may have heard about something called SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer. SSL is a protocol that uses encryption to protect data during transmission. When connecting to a server using SSL, the first thing that happens is called the SSL handshake. This part of the connection is the most important. If the handshake fails, the link terminates, and the two computers will refuse to talk to each other. During the handshake, both the client and the server will communicate with each other to verify identities*.* The client will request the server to identify itself, and the server will send over an SSL certificate. This certificate will contain the server’s identity and a signature that should be from a verified certificate authority. The client will check this certificate against a database of known and trusted certificate authorities to confirm its validity. If everything checks out, the client will respond with a unique and temporary session key, which will be acknowledged by the server. At this point, an encrypted communication session will begin. This process happens behind-the-scenes instantaneously when you connect to a secure website such as an online retailer or a bank. Your web browser will typically show an icon to indicate a secure connection: a green padlock or a checkmark, for example. When you see this mark, it means the data you share is encrypted. You can typically click or tap on this icon to view details and the server’s certificate.

SSL Proxies, the Next Step in Anonymity

As the name suggests, an SSL proxy is an intermediary between your computer and the rest of the internet. By making use of the same high-grade SSL encryption described above, SSL proxies go the extra step of encrypting everything between your computer and the outside world. In the case of an SSL proxy, it doesn’t matter if the server on the other end supports encryption or not, because you are not connecting directly to that machine. The SSL proxy, acting as the mediator or “middle-man,” encrypts anything you send and receive. This mediator protects your information from prying eyes, against basic things that we may not even think about, such as internet searches or forum posts. Such data is not always encrypted by default but can contain surprisingly personal details.

Your Personal Identity Should Remain Personal

Another benefit of an SSL proxy is the protection of your online identity. Besides encrypting your communication data itself, SSL proxies can also modify the “headers” of your internet browsing to anonymize your identity. Although you may not see it, every time you browse the internet, so-called headers are sent along with each request. These headers contain information that can personally identify and track you. Less-scrupulous websites and internet providers can use these headers to restrict certain information from you, which has been the subject of considerable debate for years. SSL proxies can strip away the personal data from these headers so that you can anonymously browse the internet without being traceable. This anonymity is beneficial for security and also gaining access to information that may not otherwise be available.

Choose Your Proxy Wisely

Because an SSL proxy will act as an intermediary handling all of your data, you should use caution about which provider you choose. You should select a trusted SSL proxy provider with a good reputation and track record of privacy and security practices. IPRoyal offers high-quality and high-reliability proxies for both WiFi and mobile 4G data connections. With 99% up-time and optional private proxies for your individual use, you can be sure there are no cracks in your shield.

Location, Location, Location

As with most things in life, location matters! With SSL proxies, location can have a significant impact on overall performance. If your proxy is far away, the data needs to travel a long way and introduce a delay. Along with lag, a proxy’s location may be a factor in accessing certain websites or data sources. For example, you may want to use an SSL proxy in another country to access some blocked or protected television shows. There are plenty of reasons for different locations, and each scenario is different. IPRoyal offers proxies in various locations worldwide, along with pricing plans for multiple proxies of your choosing. You can even “chain” several proxies together for nested security if you wish.

Use Proxies Each Day and Keep Hackers at Bay

With so much of our modern lives on the internet, securing your data is essential. IPRoyal can secure your digital data and keep your identity safe without compromising speed and performance. With so many plans available for as low as 1$ per proxy, protecting yourself has never been simpler or more affordable!