Proxy technology is developing rapidly as the world is getting more and more aware of all the intricacies of cybersecurity. Among the many proxy types that have been developed throughout the years, SOCKS5 proxies stand out due to their security features.

As they are gaining traction in the proxy market, in this article we will look into why people buy proxy SOCKS5 server IPs and how such proxies differ from other options. The first question, however, is of course, where do SOCKS5 proxies come from?

SOCKS protocol and SOCKS5 proxies

Socket Secure (SOCKS) protocol is an internet protocol that defines how network packets are routed between the client, the proxy server, and the end server. David Koblas designed the protocol and made it public in 1992. 

Made specifically for routing traffic through proxies, SOCKS has been developed constantly to improve it throughout those early years of the public internet. Until in 1996, a group of authors including Koblas refined and described the current fifth version of the protocol – SOCKS5.

This version of the protocol has introduced new authentication features, making it the most secure SOCKS protocol to date. SOCKS5 proxies are proxy services based on this protocol.

Like all proxy servers, SOCKS5 proxies hide the IP address of the client by assigning it a proxy IP with which the network is accessed. Let’s look at what SOCKS5 proxies are usually used for.

Where can SOCKS5 proxies be used?

Users buy proxy SOCKS5 servers for the considerable value they can derive from them in various cases. Here are the purposes for which SOCKS5 proxies are commonly used.

1. Anonymous browsing. SOCKS5 proxies provide all the anonymity one can expect from any networking technology.
2. P2P sharing. Due to this anonymity and the fast download speeds it can provide a SOCKS5 proxy is great for peer-to-peer sharing.
3. Bypassing geo-restrictions. Geographic content restrictions can be very annoying for private users and harmful to businesses. These users and businesses are happy to buy proxy SOCKS5 server IPs to efficiently unblock content.
4. Unblocking websites. If you get your IP blocked on a website for one reason or another, a proxy server can lend you a helping hand. Getting a SOCKS5 proxy IP will let you access the content once more.
5. Online gaming. Due to the low latency of these proxies, it is great for activities that require stable connection such as live gaming online.
6. Accessing content behind firewalls. Firewalls are necessary network security tools. However, one needs a way to allow authorized users to remotely access services behind firewalls without jeopardizing the entire network’s security. SOCKS proxies are made for this purpose.

These and other use cases make proxies a popular choice among netizens bent on having free and broad internet access.

Main benefits of SOCKS5 proxies

All types of proxies mostly share cases in which they can be used. Thus, one can naturally ask why should they buy proxy SOCKS5 server access and not some other proxy IP. The answer lies in the way this type of proxy improves on previous versions of SOCKS proxies.

The advantages of SOCKS5 proxies include the following main features.

• Additional layers of authentication are available. SOCKS5 proxies come with versatile verification options including username and password authentication.
• They are faster than many other proxy or VPN services. SOCKS5 proxies demonstrate better performance than previous SOCKS proxy versions. And without the need to additionally encrypt data, they provide faster connection than virtual private networks (VPNs). 
• SOCKS5 proxies are compatible with most programs and devices. Some other proxies, especially legacy versions might not work with newer technology. SOCKS5 proxies give you full control over what apps you want to protect.
• Fewer errors than in previous versions. SOCKS5 proxies are developed to improve on earlier versions. Thus, they are less prone to error when routing traffic and less likely to break down.
• Handles versatile traffic. Previous SOCKS proxy versions supported only Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). SOCKS5, along with TCP, also supports User Datagram Protocol (UDP). Basically, this tech jargon simply means that SOCKS5 proxies can handle more kinds of traffic.

Thus, there are good reasons to buy proxy SOCKS5 servers when in need of a good proxy service. However, before deciding one should look at alternative proxy protocols.

What is the alternative for SOCKS5 proxies?

In terms of what proxy protocol is used, the main alternative to SOCKS5 proxy servers is HTTP proxy.

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a foundational part of the Internet and the basis of all data sharing across it. HTTP proxies are proxy servers that route data using this protocol.

Both SOCKS5 and HTTP proxies have their stronger and weaker sides in comparison to one another. The main differences can be summarized in two points:

1. SOCKS5 proxies are more versatile as HTTP proxies can only handle requests from HTTP and HTTPS applications. Meanwhile, SOCKS5 proxies work fine with any programming language and all types of connections.
2. As HTTP protocol is specifically for handling HTTP connections, it can interpret web data. SOCKS5 proxies can fetch but not interpret it for you.

Thus, HTTP proxies might be faster when gathering data from the web on a large scale as they can interpret and categorize data for you. Meanwhile, SOCKS5 proxies are more flexible and thus applicable for more varied use cases. Additionally, companies and private users buy proxy SOCKS5 servers for their increased security measures.

How do you know if the SOCKS5 proxy is for you?

Determining which proxy protocol is right for you might be challenging. One key factor to consider is whether you will only be dealing with applications that HTTP protocol can handle.

If you are not sure, SOCKS5 is the safer choice. Additionally, this type of proxy is great when firewalls are involved. Thus, if you need secure access to content behind firewalls, the SOCKS protocol is right for you.

Finally, when in doubt, consult your proxy provider. A trustworthy provider will have no problem answering your questions and honestly suggesting the most optimal solutions.