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 What used to be associated with black hat practice has, in recent years, become common for every day people. VPNs and private proxies became a tool for the masses.

Few of those masses actually had the technical understanding to operate either platforms, which means developers have been hard at work to create interfaces that are easy to understand and quick to use.

 

 For those most part, this has worked, especially for VPNs.

 

 However, it doesn’t mean that the number of people actually using VPNs or private proxies have a real grasp on how they work.

 

 You just might, because you’re here, having trolled the web for detailed information on the differences between private proxies and VPNs, which one you need, and, more specifically, how to use both of them in conjunction.

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                                                                   What is a VPN?

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 A VPN service provider (otherwise known as a Virtual Private Network) encrypts all of your traffic, replacing your ISP and routing all traffic through the VPN server, including programs and applications you might be using on your laptop or smartphone.

 

 A VPN will work with all internet-based services. Everything is routed through that server when connected, so all of your web traffic and device use is 100% protected when using VPN services.

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                              What is a Proxy?

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Think of a proxy as a web filter. The web service proxy settings are applied to your internet browser whether you're using Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or any other web browser.

When browsing the internet through a proxy server, all security, speed, and option to choose geographic location are enhanced - but only when browsing the internet. Even the best proxy service will only secure traffic via an internet browser using the proxy server settings. There is no way to automatically configure use for your other smartphone apps or computer programs.

A proxy server is completely browser-based. It is not as compatible with certain web pages that use non-browser technology. It also does not protect you or offer any additional benefits when using apps or desktop/laptop clients.

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               Using Private Proxies and a VPN                                             Simultaneously

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 With some clarity on these differences the purpose for using both a VPN and multiple private proxies at the same time is hopefully becoming clear.

 

 Basically, you can perform different actions with each service, and therefore a person who downloads a lot of questionable material, utilizes scrapers heavily, and dabbles in the deep world of internet usage will need both.

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 Doing this can have its complexities, but overall is simpler than you might think.

 

                Turning Everything On and Off

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 There is no rule that says once you have paid for a VPN or private proxy that you have to use it. Both services have on and off switches (literally, in the case of most VPNs).

To use private proxies you typically enter them into your browser settings, computer network settings, or a third-party application like ScrapeBox. You can disable the use of the proxies at any time — just remember that once you do, your browsing will be from your own ISP IP.

 

 VPNs are typically bundled together with software. You download the software, sign up with your login information, and run the VPN service from that application. There is usually a large “on/off” switch in the VPN, and then many more specific settings for how and when you want the service to run.

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 The most basic version of utilizing both VPNs and private proxies is to switch them on and off when you’re doing different functions.

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 This may sound silly in a way, but it’s really not. One of the issues with VPNs is that it can seriously slow down your speed. The amount of time it takes to encrypt your information, send it to a separate service, send it out to the internet, encrypt that information, and proceed to move the information back to you is not an immediate journey.

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 This slow down is unacceptable for some users, especially at peak hour times when lots of customers are using the VPN’s servers.

 

 For example, you’d probably want to turn off your VPN service when you are running ScrapeBox. There’s no need for ScrapeBox to have each of your proxies pushed through a VPN service as well. The proxies themselves are anonymous enough for ScrapeBox actions, and a VPN will just slow you down.

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 On the flip side, say you’re downloading a torrent for KickAss Torrents. Typically you have your browser set up to use a proxy. But, because you don’t want the torrent file associated with you (even though it alone isn’t damaging), you can turn on your VPN and turn off your proxy. This will make sure that data is still untraceable, and this time encrypted, so there will never be a record of you having downloaded it.

 

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                                                                Being Selective

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 Each platform suits a different kind of purpose.

If you’re torrenting, make sure your VPN is turned on and rolling before opening uTorrent.

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 This way all your data is encrypted and secure, and you won’t get a copyright notice a few weeks (or months, or years) from now.

 

 If you’re creating tons of email accounts or spamming comments for your new blog (not a practice I recommend in general), do not use your VPN. You’ll want to use private proxies, because you need a separate IP address for many of those creations and comments.

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 Because a VPN only gives you one IP address, you also don’t want it associated with any of those overused, spammy practices. Sure, you will be protected because the data is encrypted, but the IP address is still one your VPN owns. They will have to continually change your IP address if you get it banned too frequently, and most VPNs don’t want to deal with that.

 

 Running a Private Proxy and VPN Simultaneously

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 The final option is to turn on both your private proxies and VPN at the same time.

What exactly will this do?

 

 It will increase the overall security of actions online, which is helpful for a lot of people. But it’ll also slow down you connection speed, because of the time it takes to go through both protocols and encryption.

 

 Some VPN services sell proxies with their platform, and in the case it’s easy to use both, and there are instructions or help desks you can reach out to.

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 If you have proxies that are separate from a VPN, you can still use both.

 

 It’s most common in a scenario where you’re using an application, like ScrapeBox. Turn on  your VPN, set up ScrapeBox will all your proxies, and start running. If for some reason a proxy goes bad, isn’t fully anonymous, or is traced back to you in some other way, instead of seeing your actual IP address the VPN’s IP address will show up.

 

 The scenario can change depending on what action you’re performing, but it always adds that extra layer of security.

 

 If you’re really concerned about privacy and the mechanics of linking proxies and VPNs together, look into creating a ProxyChain, which will allow you to structure the routes that these packets of data go through.

 

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                                                                          Need Both?

 

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 It’s a good question, and one that only you can determine.

 

 I’d say that for most users, no, you don’t need both. But if you do need both, you might as well run both at the same time for increased protection, as long as it’s not streaming video or something that requires a quick connection.

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 This all comes back to whether or not you can afford them. If you can, go for it.

 

 

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