Proxies can be very useful for computers and laptops running Windows. Before we go into the benefits of proxies for Microsoft Windows and how to choose the best one for your device, let’s learn more about this OS and proxy servers.
Microsoft Windows is the dominating operating system for computers and laptops worldwide. Released in 1985 by Microsoft, the first version of this OS had a simple GUI (graphical user interface). It worked as an extension of MS-DOS – Microsoft’s proprietary command-based disk operating system.
Many versions of Microsoft Windows are available today, the most recent one being Windows 11. While older versions get updated for years after the latest one hits the stores, Microsoft always recommends staying up-to-date to keep your device running smoothly and more securely.
Windows OS often comes pre-installed on most new computers and laptops, which is one of the reasons for its wide usage. This OS is used in offices around the world because it allows you to use productivity tools such as word processors, calendars, and spreadsheets.
Proxy servers are third-party servers that sit between your device and other servers on the web. They handle all requests you send to the internet and all responses you get from website servers, apps, and services.
While sending requests and receiving responses on your behalf, the proxy server uses its own IP address, which is different from yours. This allows you to keep your real IP address and location hidden from servers on the net and everyone else interested in your IP, including hackers. That’s how proxy servers provide you with online anonymity, privacy, and security.
Each device has a unique IP address when connected to the internet. Unfortunately, it’s visible to everyone on the net, including advertisers, websites, ISPs, governments, and hackers. This can lead to various problems considering your online privacy, security, and access to geo-blocked content. Here’s how using a proxy with your Windows device can help you avoid these problems:
Accessing geo-restricted content
Website servers can use your IP to track you and block you from region-locked content. In other words, you may not be able to access certain websites or censored content because of your geographical location that’s exposed by your IP.
A proxy server helps you get around this problem by hiding your IP address and giving you a brand new one from a different location. You can even choose the location other servers will see as your own. This way, you can use an IP address from a country or region where the blocked content is available, tricking the server into thinking that you’re really trying to access it from that location. It’s the most efficient way to avoid geo-restrictions and access geo-blocked or censored content from your Windows device.
Browsing the net anonymously and safely
The government, ISP, advertisers, and search engines can monitor your online activity by using your IP address and browser fingerprint. While this is bad for reasons such as geo-restrictions and targeted ads, the fact that hackers can also track your IP address is even worse. They may use it to find out your location and identity, as well as access your device and data, especially if you use free and unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
However, by routing your internet connection through a proxy server, you can increase your online security. That’s because you connect to other servers using a different IP address and location. This is how the proxy establishes a private and secure connection that lets you surf the web anonymously and safely.
You can use residential, datacenter, or mobile proxy servers for Windows devices, depending on the purpose of use. For example, residential and mobile proxies are great for unblocking geo-restricted websites, instant messaging, sneakers copping, and streaming because they’re coming from other internet users with ISP-provided IP addresses. In other words, there’s no way to differentiate this type of proxy from other regular traffic.
On the other hand, data center proxies are perfect for social media automation, web scraping, and gaming because they are fast and come from cloud servers across the globe.
The most important thing when choosing a proxy for Windows is to avoid free proxies and use only premium ones from a trustworthy source. IPRoyal is a reliable provider of premium datacenter, mobile, and residential proxies for Windows and other operating systems.
