SOCKS Proxy Explained: What it is and How to use

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What Are SOCKS and SOCKS Proxies?

What Is SOCKS?

SOCKS, which stands for Socket Secure, is a way to transfer data between your computer and a server on the internet. Think of it as a middleman that routes your internet traffic through a proxy server before reaching its final destination. This helps you get around firewalls and keeps your real IP address hidden, giving you more privacy.

One of the main features of SOCKS is that it uses the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) to connect to the destination server. Once connected, it helps send and receive data packets between you and the server. A big advantage of SOCKS is its versatility: it can handle many types of internet traffic created by different software and protocols. This makes it great for heavy-duty tasks like streaming videos and peer-to-peer sharing.

SOCKS is classified as a layer 5 protocol in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. This means it can manage protocols that work at layer 5 and above, like HTTP, HTTPS, POP3, SMTP, and FTP. Because of its position in the OSI model, SOCKS can effectively handle these requests, providing secure and anonymous connections for many different applications.

What Is a SOCKS proxy?

When you use a SOCKS proxy, your internet traffic is sent through a third-party server. This hides your real IP address and gives you a new one, making it harder for websites to determine your actual location.

SOCKS operates on Layer 5 of the OSI model, which is a technical way of saying it helps manage the connection between your computer and the internet. The newest version, SOCKS5, supports both UDP and TCP connections, offering more options and better security compared to the older version, SOCKS4.

SOCKS4 Proxy vs. SOCKS5 Proxy

SOCKS4 Proxy

SOCKS4 is an older type of SOCKS protocol. It mainly supports TCP connections, which are used for reliable data transfer over the internet. The main job of a SOCKS4 proxy is to route your internet traffic through a proxy server to hide your real IP address. 

However, SOCKS4 proxies have some limitations. It does not support UDP proxies, which are used for activities like video streaming and online games. Also, SOCKS4 does not have a way to check who you are with a username and password.

SOCKS5 Proxy

SOCKS5 is the newer version of the SOCKS protocol and has more features than SOCKS4. It supports both TCP and UDP connections, making it more versatile for different types of internet activities. 

SOCKS5 also allows you to use a username and password to verify your identity, which makes it more secure. Additionally, SOCKS5 can handle both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, which makes it more adaptable to new internet technologies.

HTTP Proxy vs. SOCKS Proxy

Understanding the differences between HTTP proxies and SOCKS proxies is crucial for making the right choice based on your needs. Here, we summarize the main distinctions in terms of security, functionality, performance, speed, compatibility, and operability.

Security

  • HTTP Proxy: Operates at a higher security level, adds a layer of protection, can detect and block suspicious data, and understands data transferred between client and server.
  • SOCKS Proxy: SOCKS5 offers encrypted SSH tunneling for data privacy without interpreting the data. SOCKS4 is less secure.

Functionality

  • HTTP Proxy: Handles only HTTP(S) traffic, can cache responses, and spot repeated requests, making it suitable for web-related tasks.
  • SOCKS Proxy: Handles various network protocols without interpreting the data, suitable for a wider range of applications, including those requiring firewall access.

Performance

  • HTTP Proxy: Enhances performance by caching web pages and filtering data. Speed varies by type (public, shared, private), with private proxies being the fastest.
  • SOCKS Proxy: Generally faster due to less computational overhead. SOCKS5 uses the UDP protocol for even faster processing.

Speed

  • HTTP Proxy: Speed depends on type; public proxies are slower, shares are faster, and private proxies offer maximum speed.
  • SOCKS Proxy: Typically faster due to less code execution. SOCKS5 is even faster with the UDP protocol.

Compatibility

  • HTTP Proxy: Works exclusively with HTTP protocol, supports ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS), and connects with various third-party tools.
  • SOCKS Proxy: Operates in varied environments, handles different traffic types, supports ports 1080 and 1081, and can use any port.

Operability

  • HTTP Proxy: Limited to one protocol but has numerous use cases, detects inconsistencies in cache requests and responses.
  • SOCKS Proxy: Simpler to use, works with many protocols, flexible, and grants access even behind a firewall.

Which Choice Is the Best for You?

Choosing between HTTP and SOCKS proxies depends on what you need them for. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand which one might be best for you.

HTTP proxies are best suited for web browsing and handling web traffic (HTTP/HTTPS). They offer high-level security and can improve performance by saving copies of web pages (caching) and filtering data. This makes them ideal for applications requiring detailed data analysis and filtering, such as protecting email and gathering web data (web scraping). If your main goal is to ensure secure and efficient web browsing while being able to analyze and filter data in detail, an HTTP proxy is a good choice.

On the other hand, SOCKS proxies are more versatile and can handle a variety of internet traffic types, not just web traffic. They generally offer simpler and faster operations, making them suitable for high-speed data transfers and applications where bypassing firewalls is essential. SOCKS proxies are preferred when flexibility and speed are prioritized over detailed data filtering. If you need a proxy that can quickly transfer data and work around firewalls, a SOCKS proxy is the better option.

Many proxy service providers support both HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 connections, allowing users to switch between them based on their specific requirements. This flexibility ensures that users can choose the most appropriate proxy type to meet their goals, whether it be for security, functionality, or performance. By understanding these differences, you can make a better choice that fits your needs.

Set Up SOCKS Proxies in GeeLark

To set up SOCKS proxies in GeeLark, follow these simple steps. 

1. Choose Proxy Type: Select “Socks5” from the list.

2.Enter SOCKS5 Proxy Information and “Check Proxy”. You can check the proxy to see the IP address along with its country and ISP details.

Once everything is set, just hit OK to finalize the settings, and you’re ready to start using your cloud phones!

What Is GeeLark？

GeeLark is changing how you manage multiple accounts with its new antidetect technology. Unlike regular antidetect browsers, GeeLark offers you entire Android environments, not just browsers. This means you can create many cloud phone profiles, each with its own unique digital fingerprint.

So, if you need to handle multiple Telegram, Facebook, TikTok, or mobile game accounts without worrying about bans, GeeLark is perfect for you.

One cool feature of GeeLark is the ability to set up and manage separate cloud phone profiles. Each profile has its own unique IP address (from your configured HTTP/HTTPS or SOCKS proxy),  phone number, MAC address, and Bluetooth address. This keeps each profile separate, so what you do in one profile doesn’t mix with another. This helps protect your privacy and keeps you from being tracked.

GeeLark also offers automation tools that help you avoid boring, repetitive tasks. These tools make your work smoother and more efficient without losing security and privacy. Right now, there are automation templates for TikTok and Facebook. These templates let you log in, edit profiles, publish videos and image collections, warm up accounts, and post content easily.

Ready to streamline your online account management? 

Try GeeLark for free 

FAQ

1. Is it safe to use a SOCKS proxy?

The safety of using a SOCKS proxy depends on where you get it from, how it’s set up, and what other security steps you take. Some paid services, like BrightData and Oxylabs, say they are safe no matter what type of proxy you use.

2. Which is better: TCP or UDP?

TCP, or Transmission Control Protocol, is better when you need to make sure all data gets there in the right order. UDP, or User Datagram Protocol, is better when you need speed and can handle some data loss, like in online games or video calls. It depends on whether you need reliability or speed more.

3. Which is better: SOCKS5 or HTTPS?

You can’t say one is always better than the other because they serve different purposes. SOCKS5 is used to route network connections through a proxy, while HTTPS is used to keep web browsing secure. The choice depends on what you need to do.

4. What is Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)?

Transmission Control Protocol, or TCP, is a set of rules for how to start and keep a conversation between computers so they can share data. It works with the Internet Protocol (IP), which helps computers send data to each other.