‘Avoid free proxies at any cost!’ – that’s what most guides and blog posts from paid providers will tell you. But sometimes you just don’t have the budget, and the tasks are temporary and undemanding. Going with a free proxy seems like a simple solution to a costly problem.
I’m not here to argue that free proxies are better than paid ones. They aren’t. However, if you are still willing to go that route, there are a few things that will help you avoid most security hazards. Let’s start by looking into what they are exactly.
Understanding risks
Proxy servers are a double-edged sword when it comes to privacy and security. On the one hand, having an intermediary between you and the web guards you against possible intrusions. Without your IP address, it’s almost impossible for hackers to attack your network. Web servers are also unable to track your activity.
Unfortunately, an untrustworthy proxy server can do more harm than good. Since a proxy device routes all of your data, the owner of the setup can snoop around all of your requests. It’s especially important if you are planning to make bank payments or enter important passwords with a proxy server.
A low-quality service might also be simply ineffective, telling every web server that it is a proxy server or, even worse, sending your IP address with requests. There’s also a possibility of a proxy server infesting your device with malware by attaching additional files that are sent back. These are rare cases, but the possibility exists nonetheless.
All of these risks are much more likely if you are using a free proxy. A paid provider has a name to look after. Otherwise, they can get out of business. They are also bound legally to not intrude on your privacy. A free proxy provider doesn’t have any transparency, so you can’t know what is happening with your data.
Free proxy types to avoid
Not all free proxies are equally bad. We can measure the risk by the amount of information available about a free proxy server. If you know who the provider is and what type of proxies you are getting, the risk is low. If you don’t know anything about the connection you will make, the risk is high.
That’s why it’s wise to avoid free web proxies. These are web pages where you can enter a target URL, and a proxy server will be used to access it in your browser. Some such free services even provide a selection of locations.
Conveniently for them, you cannot access any websites that would allow you to check if those locations are correct. But you cannot check anything else as well – what kind of proxy is used, how your data is overseen, and whether the websites you visit know you are using a proxy.
Not to mention, web proxies are terribly slow, and you cannot use them for anything else other than slow web browsing. Most likely, they are set up as a phishing tool in hopes that someone will enter passwords or bank account details there.
The same can be said about other places where you can find free proxy credentials – forums, social media channels, chat groups, and anywhere else. It’s a common scam to simply give away proxy servers and then trick people into entering something that can be stolen.
Free trials and free proxy lists
Free trials and free proxy lists from established providers are the only free proxy types that can be trusted. The only downside of such proxies is the performance – you will be asked to pay for a better-performing proxy after the free trial ends.
The security risks are almost non-existent. No respectable proxy provider will infest you with malware or spy on your activities while you are using a free trial proxy server. After all, free proxy trials are a major way for the company to make sales and gather good reviews about its services.
Although I do not recommend using free proxy lists from unknown sources, sometimes free proxy lists are offered by respectable proxy providers. There are even free residential proxy lists that will give IPs that cost hundreds per year.
The drawback to this approach is that free proxy lists from providers, although safe, are likely to work slowly or be banned on popular websites. If they weren’t, they would have a hefty price tag. Still, it is the most legitimate method for using proxies longer than for a free trial.
What proxy types are safest?
Some free proxy lists will not provide you with any information about proxies. Usually, it’s a red flag as it means that the source doesn’t know what it’s giving away. You can use a proxy checker software to understand more, but in most cases, it’s not worth it. You’ll need to check hundreds of proxy credentials to find one working for your needs.
It’s much more time-efficient to find a proxy list that provides at least some basic information about the proxy type and protocol used.
Proxy type: Look for residential proxies. Most free proxies are datacenter proxies, which are the cheapest proxy type. Datacenter proxies are created virtually in bulk and run on commercial servers. They are less reliable than residential proxies that originate from households.
Proxy protocol: The best option is the SOCKS5 protocol. It’s the newest and most versatile protocol that will work with almost any software and allow large amounts of data to be transferred quickly.
Unfortunately, SOCKS5 is rarely given away for free. The second best option is HTTPS proxies. They work on the common Hypertext Transfer Protocol, but the ‘S’ in the end means that they are encrypted.
Conclusion
This guide uncovered how to minimize them by avoiding web proxies, unknown sources of proxy lists, and choosing the right proxy type. Paid proxies are still the best option, but if you are vigilant enough, you can find free options too.
