Are SOCKS5 Proxies Secure Enough for Your Business Needs?
SOCKS5 has been popular lately due to their working, and like any other internet protocol, it sends packets of information between the user and the server. This information goes through the proxy server, which changes its IP and gives it a new random one before it reaches the destination.
SOCKS5 proxies are also one of the latest versions that perform user datagram protocol and transmission control protocol, which means that it changes your IP entirely so that the website won’t find you. However, the system lacks security, and there are some situations where you shouldn’t use these proxies. VPN, on the other hand, provides better protection by encrypting your traffic. Still, in some cases, they seem to fall short.
But the question here is, are SOCKS5 proxies secure enough for your business needs? Or are they secure to be used in general? If not, then what would be better?
Luckily, we will explain all that in this article so you can browse the internet more securely.
What Are Socks5 Proxies — How Are They Used?
Just as we mentioned above, SOCKS5 proxies connect the user to any website or server that’s protected by a firewall and send packets of information from the user to the client with arbitrary IPs. These grant absolute security against those tracking your IP, but it does not encrypt your traffic like VPNs or other proxies.
Whenever a TCP connection is prohibited, and you have to access the data through UDP, SOCKS5 proxies are used. Since they can perform that action well, they are the best choice for that. However, for most reasons, these connections are used for illegal reasons, like torrent download or streaming. But SOCKS5 is a legal tool, and they are mainly used for providing a different reliable connection.
Moreover, the opposite side also takes advantage. The different companies use these SOCKS5 proxies to keep track of copyright infringements made by illegal sources. As a result, streaming content remains legal online.
There are many more uses of SOCKS5, and many IT enthusiasts use this in different ways to find more benefits of it. It’s a unique system and can be ideal once the security issue is solved.
Benefits of SOCKS5 Proxies
Although there is a security issue, they are still efficient enough to be compared to other proxies and VPNs. So, here are some benefits which SOCKS5 proxies provide.
· No Internet Blocks
Since the proxy server acts as the relay and handles the information you send to the target server, you can bypass any internet blocks. You get an arbitrary IP in your data, which labels it as info coming from another place, and you remain safely hidden.
· Go Over Traffic Limitations
HTTP proxies only work with HTTP, and can’t work with HTTPS, because of their protocol and secured connection. However, dedicated proxy is not bound by those limitations and can work against any program or protocol. You won’t get limited to any online traffic and can do better than with the proxies.
· Faster Speed
Before, SOCKS5 had only the TCP protocol, which made sure that all the information sent is in order, and the packets are received the same way they are sent. However, now it uses the UDP protocol, which does not focus on that objective. This means that the packets of information don’t need to be sent in order and are sent faster. The connection also remains reliable throughout the process.
· Better Performance
Other proxies rewrite the packet headers containing your info, which means there is a lot less chance of errors such as misrouting or mislabeling. SOCKS5, on the other hand, does not rewrite info packet headers, meaning the data is sent fast and with the least amount of errors possible. There is a downside to this point, which we will discuss in a bit.
Is It Safe for Your Business Needs?
It can be safe and a better option depending on your needs. For example, if you want to have a connection where there won’t be anyone sniffing on you or the information you deal with is sensitive, you will be better with SOCKS5. However, if the data being handled is sensitive, and there might be a risk of someone snooping, you should look for other options.
Since SOCKS5 proxies can’t protect against those risks, it has fallen short compared to others, but it is a better option if you don’t indulge in illegal things or handle personal information. These proxies don’t encrypt your online traffic, and it becomes easy for your personal information to get leaked. But it was never intended to be used for those things. It’s ideal use is for people who just want to bypass regional and protocol limitations with a faster connection.
Moreover, the information is always sensitive in businesses, whether it’s a customer’s info or your company’s data. So, it might not be the best choice to use SOCKS5 for those things. In such a case, there can be another alternative, which is as following.
Using SOCKS5 And Proxy Together
This double layer of security and anonymity can be generous for your business needs. As one is not limited to protocol or traffic, while the other encrypts your online traffic, it can also be considered a power duo. The connection may be slower, but the security is impressive, and it’s sometimes a better option for people. SOCKS5 comes with a few downsides, but the benefits are too great to ignore, which is why VPN can be used as an extra layer to fill those downsides and make it much better and reliable.
Conclusion
It’s easy to tell that SOCKS5 proxies were never intended to be used for business needs by looking at the benefits. They don’t protect sensitive information, but they provide other services better than any other. So, it might not be suitable to use them; however, if you are using it for other things, SOCKS5 is an ideal choice. If you still want to use these, then there is an option of using VPN with SOCKS5, though it might get complicated. It’s always a choice and may prove to be great for your needs.
