To gain insight into the usage and value of IPv4 proxies, it is necessary to gain an understanding of both IPv4 and proxy servers. To begin with, let us explore what they are and how they operate.
What Is IPv4?
Breaking down the term IPv4, we can see that IP stands for Internet Protocol, which is a set of standards and requirements for transmitting data packets across networks. The ‘v4’ part stands for version 4, signifying that it is the fourth version of the Internet Protocol. IPv4 is the original protocol used to build the internet and has been used to route internet traffic since 1982 when it was introduced by the IETF. This IP version is characterized by its 32-bit address space expressed in dotted-decimal notation, containing both the network prefix and host number. Despite the limitations of its 32-bit address space, IPv4 is still the most widely used IP version, with nearly 4.3 billion IPv4 addresses available. Unfortunately, due to the growing number of connected devices, the IPv4 address space was exhausted in 2011. To combat this issue, IPv6 was introduced in 2012, and the internet has been transitioning to this IP version ever since.
What Is a Proxy?
A proxy or proxy server is an online tool that works as an intermediary between you and the internet. It takes your requests intended for other servers and either forwards, redirects, rejects, or fulfills them based on a variety of criteria. These criteria involve what is being requested, the proxy server’s capabilities, the location of the request, the information included in the request, the sender, and the intended destination. In simpler terms, the proxy interacts with other servers on the internet on your behalf. During the entire process, the proxy uses its own IP address from any location in the world, providing you with privacy and anonymity when browsing the web.
Nowadays, people use proxies for a range of reasons, such as improving network security, bypassing geo-restrictions, and optimizing network traffic.
Reasons to Use IPv4 Proxies
Using IPv4 proxies for everything from social networking and security to gaming, copping sneakers, and web scraping is a great idea because they work with all websites. Reasons to use them include avoiding geo-restrictions, ensuring anonymity, providing protection, and allowing for faster load times. When using an IPv4 proxy, you can access websites and services that are not available in your region or country due to licensing restrictions and similar issues. It also helps to hide your IP address, so hackers cannot access your device or track you. Moreover, it can protect your system from malicious websites by facing threats before they ever reach your device. Additionally, proxies can cache data locally, which allows for faster loading of previously accessed web pages.
Best IPv4 Proxies
For optimal online security and anonymity, the best option is to use a paid IPv4 proxy. ProxyCompass offers both rotating and datacenter proxies for a more secure and reliable connection. Rotating proxies provide a new IPv4 address for each request or connection, while datacenter proxies offer faster speeds. With ProxyCompass, you can rest assured that your data is safe and secure, and you won’t be at risk of IP bans.