What Is an SSL (HTTPS) Proxy and How It Works

What Is an SSL (or HTTPS) Proxy Server?

An SSL proxy server is the type that encrypts traffic between your device and the proxy server using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or its modern version, TLS (Transport Layer Security). When using HTTPS proxies, your encrypted traffic is routed through the proxy server before being sent to the website or internet services you are trying to access. With SSL proxies, all your web traffic is sent over a secure connection using HTTPS protocols.  

How Does an SSL / HTTPS Proxy Work?

An SSL web proxy acts as an intermediary between the clients (your devices) and the Internet. When using one, your device traffic is first redirected to the proxy server. The proxy server then forwards it to the web servers you intend to connect to. In the process, your device IP address is replaced with the proxy’s IP address.. 

Example: HTTPS Proxy in a Typical Browser Session

If you are using a browser to access the web, you will have to input the proxy details (server IP and port) into the browsers proxy settings. Once these settings are configured, all the traffic from this browser will go through the proxy server before being sent to the target server you are trying to access. 

The main benefit with HTTPS proxy servers is that they implement encryption between the proxy server and your device. So, even when accessing a non-https website, at least you can be sure that the connection to the proxy server itself is secure, so no one in between, including your ISP or network admin can access your data. 

Benefits of Using SSL / HTTPS Proxies

Some of the reasons to use proxies include:

More Secured Connection with Enhanced Online Security and Privacy

HTTPs proxy servers ensure your traffic is encrypted, addressing most privacy and security concerns, including man-in-the-middle attacks. Proxies also hide your IP address and location, securing your connection by making it more anonymous. 

Safe Data Transmission and Encryption

As stated earlier, an SSL web proxy encrypts data as it is sent from your device to the proxy server. This is especially important when using websites that still rely on the old and less secure http protocols. 

Access to Restricted or Geo-Locked Websites

These proxies replace your IP address with the proxy’s IP address, allowing you to connect to websites and online services in any region even if they are geo-locked. ProxyWing gives you access to IPs in more than 190 countries. 

Reliable Protection for Businesses and Automation

For businesses doing automation tasks like data scraping, using proxies can help bypass IP bans. ProxyWing’s proxy pools offer clean IPs, allowing for dynamic IP switching, which can significantly minimize the chances of IP blocks. 

Main Types of SSL / HTTPS Proxies

Some of the common HTTPs proxy types include

Transparent SSL Proxies

These do not hide your location and IP address. They are normally used by organizations such as schools, businesses, and even ISPs to filter traffic using specific rules before forwarding it. However, they do not alter your device IP. Users don’t have control over these proxies. 

Anonymous and Elite SSL Proxies

Anonymous proxies hide your IP address, but still identify themselves as proxies to the sites you are using. Elite SSL proxies on the other hand hide both your IP address and the fact that you are using a proxy. 

Residential vs. Datacenter SSL Proxies

Residential proxy solutions route your encrypted traffic through IPs of real home devices, making them harder to detect. Datacenter proxies on the other hand route your connection through IP addresses of servers hosted in a datacenter. 

Dedicated vs. Shared HTTPS Proxies

With dedicated proxies, each user is assigned a unique IP, which makes them more secure and private. However, when using shared HTTP proxies, several users can share the same IP address, making your connection less private. 

Where and When to Use SSL / HTTPS Proxies

Some HTTP proxy use cases include: 

For Web Scraping and Data Collection

HTTPS proxies hide your real IP addresses, allowing for more anonymous data collection. They also allow you to switch between different IP addresses, which can be crucial for bypassing IP bans. 

For Secure Browsing and Account Management

HTTPS Proxies allow you to browse the web without revealing your real IP address and location. They also encrypt your internet traffic, adding an extra layer of security to your data. 

For Business Automation and Marketing Tools

Businesses can use them to view how their ads are displayed in different regions. They also help in SEO monitoring, allowing businesses to view the SERP ranking of their website for specific keywords in different regions. 

For Bypassing Filters and Firewalls

ProxyWing proxies give you access to clean IP addresses, making it easy to bypass firewalls and filters put in place to block traffic from certain regions or devices. 

SSL Proxy Servers vs. VPN: What’s the Difference?

Connection Scope and Encryption Level

SSL proxies only encrypt web traffic going through your browser or specific apps. VPNs on the other hand encrypt all the traffic leaving your device, providing you more privacy and security. 

Speed, Stability, and Use Cases

SSL proxies are usually faster, making them ideal for data scraping and accessing region-locked content. VPNs are the best choice for those who need maximum privacy. This makes VPNs a good choice for secure public Wi-Fi use. So, if you need to have all your device’s traffic encrypted, whether it is web or other traffic types, VPNs are the best choice.

When to Choose Proxy Over VPN

It is best to choose proxies if you need fast access to the internet with a good enough level of security and privacy. VPNs are only ideal if you want to have all your traffic encrypted, including non-http traffic. 

How to Set Up an HTTPS Proxy

On Desktop Browsers

After acquiring the proxy details (proxy server IP address and port, login details), input them into the browser proxy settings. We provide these details when you subscribe to any of our proxy plans. 

On Mobile Devices

On mobile, go to your Wi-Fi settings, tap your active network, open the proxy settings for that network, and enter the proxy details provided by ProxyWing.

Through Operating System Settings

To use proxies with PCs and Macs:

• On Windows: Go to Settings>Network & Internet>Proxy, then enter your proxy details.
• On macOS: Go to System Settings>WiFi>Network Details>Proxies, then add the proxy IP and port.

Final Thoughts

SSL proxies are a great choice for both individuals and business users who need to access the internet without exposing their location or device IP addresses. An additional benefit of SSL proxies over other types is that they encrypt the traffic between your device and the proxy server, making them particularly useful for accessing websites that only support HTTP traffic. 

Get started with ProxyWing’s proxies today from as low as $1.05. 

Common Questions About SSL / HTTPS Proxies

What’s the Default Port for HTTPS Proxy?

The default port for HTTPS proxies is 443. This is the default port for all secure web or HTTPS traffic. 

Can SSL Proxies Be Used for Social Media Automation?

Yes, they can be used for social media automation. HTTPS proxies hide your IP addresses, allowing you to bypass any region-based restrictions put in place by social media platforms. The ability to access and switch between several IP addresses also makes it easy to manage several accounts on one device without facing IP bans. 

Are Free SSL Proxies Safe to Use?

Free SSL proxies are not the safest choice. They usually give you access to IP addresses that are shared among users, making them less private and more likely to experience IP bans. 

What’s the Difference Between SSL and TCP Proxies?

SSL or HTTPS proxies encrypt the traffic between your device and the proxy server. On the other hand, TCP proxies send all the traffic unencrypted, making your connection less private. It is important to note that even when using TCP proxies, your traffic will still be encrypted if you visit HTTPS websites.