In some of our previous articles, we have defined a proxy server and explained its basic functions. If you want to find out what is a proxy server and how it works, read What Are Those “Residential Proxies?” and Main Purpose of a Proxy Server. This article is dedicated to advantages and disadvantages of proxy servers. It will explain in detail what are its advantages and disadvantages and thoroughly prepare you for the moment when you start carefully considering the option of getting one of these for your own network.
Have you ever downloaded a file off the internet? You know what I’m talking about. When you have the “run” and “install” pop-ups and the 5 million page terms and conditions that none of us EVER read.[1] Well… if you’re downloading these kind of apps on your work computer and then doing QA or checking geo-targeted ads and content, then you may be giving completely inaccurate information to your clients. No. You are definitely giving completely inaccurate information to your clients.
So… what exactly am I talking about?
I don’t know if you’ve hear of this little bastard, but I’m talking about ad injectors. Ad injectors insert ads into others’ sites, without permission from those sites and without payment to those sites.[2]
Alright, let’s get something straight.
Think you’re getting a good deal when you’re using that “free” proxy server? (Note: that was sarcasm) Let me tell you something. For a proxy to provide unblocked internet access, a server needs a ton of bandwith to send information back and forth to the user. The thing is that bandwith costs a lot of money (and I mean A LOT)—and they need A LOT of bandwith. Plus, they need to hire maintenance, security, operations, and so forth. So why would they be spending all this money to create a FREE service? Because it’s not free.
If you are in the market for a strong, professional proxy service, you have probably narrowed your choices down to industry leaders GeoSurf and Foxy Proxy. Here are some points to consider:
Locations: In the online advertising world, a wide selection of important locations is critical. If you sign up with Foxy Proxy’s 35 locations, you will be missing out. GeoSurf offers more than 50 locations more than FoxyProxy. To accurately test your content and advertising all over the globe, you need access to high value proxy locations.
Equally importantly, within the mighty United States market, web content and advertising is often targeted on a DMA (Demographic Market Area), or city level.
Beyond the GeoSurf Toolbar for Internet browsers, GeoSurf also offers a fast, secure, and transparent VPN connection to its many proxy servers around the globe. CyberGhost VPN also offers a similar service. When we examine both VPNs head to head, we discovered the following:
- Locations:
- CyberGhost offers connections only servers in 14 locations (Germany, US, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Spain, Finland, France, UK, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, and Romania).
Many sophisticated online advertisers and publishers are coming across private proxy servers and need some insight about what they are and how to use them. Below are the most common questions about private proxy servers and their answers. If you have further questions about private proxy servers, ask GeoSurf!
Q: What is a private proxy server?
A: Simply put, it is a computer which is physically situated in another geographic location. For example, if your office is in New York, you could have a private proxy in Brazil or Australia or San Francisco.
Q: Why do people in the online advertising world use private proxy servers?
The GeoSurf product suite – browser toolbars, VPN connections, proxy for mobile solution, PS3 proxy, and Direct Connect proxy API – are now available with our newest location: residential proxy from Toronto, Ontario, Canada! Almost 6 million people reside in the Toronto metro area, and if your website, internet advertising, online application, mobile media, or playstation game is not geotargeting to them, you are missing out!
DO YOU TARGET YOUR WEBSITE CONTENT OR ADVERTISING TO USERS FROM MALAYSIA?
NO?
If not, you should! Malaysia has 21.93M Internet users and studies show that users who view relevant content and advertising are much more likely to engage, click, and buy!
YES?
If you already do geo-target to Malaysian users, you already know that.
