What Is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server is a computer that sits between your device and the internet, acting as an intermediary for your requests. The destination website sees the proxy's IP address instead of yours. Common types include HTTP proxies, SOCKS proxies, and transparent proxies.
Unlike a VPN, most proxies do not encrypt your traffic. Your ISP or anyone monitoring the connection can see all your data in plain text. Proxies change your apparent IP but provide no real security.
Proxy vs VPN: Key Differences
A VPN encrypts all traffic from your device at the system level. A proxy typically works at the application level, only routing traffic from the specific app configured to use it. Browser "VPN" extensions are usually proxies — they only protect browser traffic.
Why VPNWG Is Better Than a Proxy
VPNWG provides full system-level encryption with ChaCha20-Poly1305 — protecting all traffic from every application. Unlike a proxy, VPNWG includes DNS protection, IP leak prevention, and a kill switch. Learn about VPN vs proxy.