What Is a SOCKS Proxy – Complete Guide

Do you yearn to be rid of those “Big Brother” advertisers online? Or perhaps, you are tired of getting frustrated by sites that lock you out of content because of where you are browsing from? If yes, it sounds like you need to beef up your online anonymity.

When talking about online security and anonymity, chances are proxies would surface eventually. These tools offer internet browsing privacy by acting as intermediaries, exchanging data and disguising your device’s identity (IP address) from websites you visit. Being one of the main proxy types available today, SOCKS proxies stand out for their extraordinary versatility and speed.

In this guide, you will learn all there is to know about SOCKS proxies, their advantages and the various types that exist. By the end of the article, you should be able to decide whether a SOCKS proxy is really what you need for your online privacy.

What exactly is a SOCKS proxy?

Continuing the proxy/intermediary analogy, a SOCKS proxy hides your device’s IP and exchanges data with the website using the Socket Secure (SOCKS) internet protocol. The SOCKS protocol supports a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol) connection or both that it uses when communicating with a website for a device.

Supporting multiple protocol connections like TCP and UDP (among others) grants SOCKS its versatility, as it means it can handle several types of data including web traffic, video streaming, email and more. This is unlike HTTP proxies that are specifically designed for only HTTP protocol (web traffic).

Another notable characteristic of SOCKS proxies is the “blind transfer” feature. Unlike other proxy types, SOCKS does not interpret or inspect data, it just acts as a medium, letting data flow through it while making data transfers comparatively faster.

How a SOCKS proxy works

When trying to access a website online, your device or browser first sends a request to the site before receiving a response that grants you entry. With a proxy, or in this case, a SOCKS proxy, the process is changed.

1. 1. Establishing a connection: Like all proxies, a SOCKS proxy plays the role of a middle-man, exchanging data between your device and a website or online service. Instead of sending a request directly to the site, your device or browser (client) sends the request to the SOCKS proxy browser.

• Proxy authentication: Sometimes, using a SOCKS proxy might require a form of authentication, such as a password. Fulfilling the authentication requirements allows you to use the proxy services.

• IP masking: Upon receiving the client’s request, the proxy replaces the IP address of the client with its own address, disguising the device’s identity.

• Traffic forwarding: After receiving the request from the client and establishing a connection with the destination website, the SOCKS proxy forwards the request to the website. This exchange of network traffic through the SOCKS proxy happens without the proxy inspecting or modifying the data. Because it supports various types of protocols, a SOCKS proxy can handle any type of internet data.

Types of SOCKS proxy

There are two main types of SOCKS proxy – SOCKS4 and SOCKS5. Both are generally the same, with the latter being a more advanced version with more features.

SOCKS4

A SOCKS4 proxy uses an older protocol version with only basic features. It supports only SOCKS and TCP protocols and lacks authentication features.

There was also a lesser-known extension of this version called SOCKS4a. This was introduced to solve an issue with SOCKS4 that required users to know the IP address of web servers they are visiting – with the fix, they could use the destination domain name instead.

SOCKS5

A superior version to the SOCKS4, this proxy supports way more protocols than its predecessor, including TCP, UDP, and IPv6, providing an even higher level of flexibility and versatility than other options.

It can also work with a robust selection of authentication methods (username/password, public key cryptography, etc.).

Finally, SOCKS5 proxies can be easily integrated with Secure Shell (SSH) – a type of protocol that performs security roles. The SSH creates an encrypted connection between the client device and the destination server, allowing data to be sent securely; the data sent becomes hidden to anyone snooping around.  SSH adds an extra layer of security to the SOCKS proxies.

Below is a table that compares both versions of SOCKS:

TCP supportUDP supportSSH supportAuthentication FeatureSOCKS4YesNoNoNoSOCKS5YesYesYesYes

Benefits of Using a SOCKS Proxy

SOCKS proxies offer certain advantages due to their unique features. Let’s discuss some of those benefits below.

• Masking your identity online. A SOCKS proxy replaces your IP address with its own when accessing web hosts, preventing them from knowing your device’s identity and location. As a result, you gain protection from those pesky advertisers and websites tracking your online activities. This benefit also extends towards privacy, as you can choose to hide what websites you visit from your internet service provider or any other entity monitoring you.

• Versatility. SOCKS proxies can handle all sorts of internet data since they are unrestricted in the protocols they support (termed “protocol agnostic”), even more so, SOCKS5. This quality makes them incredibly flexible in their use as they can handle anything, be it emails, video streaming, P2P file sharing or online gaming.

• Faster speeds and reliable connection. SOCKS proxies have several features that contribute to their speed. First, the “blind transfer” eliminates the need for interpreting and modifying data, translating to faster speeds. With the introduction of UDP support in SOCKS5, SOCKS proxies became able to send data in small internet packets. This leads to faster transfer speeds and more reliable connections, which is why SOCKS proxies are usually recommended for real-time applications like video-conferencing or online gaming. You can get even better speeds if you use a proxy server close to your location.

• Better performance. SOCKS proxies hold the performance edge over other proxy types since they leave the data unmodified. Unlike HTTP proxies that modify data packets, SOCKS proxies simply pass the data along. Hence, it becomes unlikely for errors like misinterpreting data or routing it incorrectly.

How to Use a SOCKS Proxy

Before you can use a SOCKS proxy, you’ll need the services of a proxy provider. After selecting a service plan, you can proceed with the following steps.

Setting up SOCKS proxy on different operating systems

Setting up a proxy on Windows, MacOS and other operating systems has different processes. We specify how you can complete the process depending on your type of device below.

Windows (8 – 11) OS

1. Navigate to your Windows settings page.
2. On Windows 8, click Settings > Network Proxy. On Windows 10 and 11, click Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
3. Under manual proxy setup, select “set up” to use a proxy server.
4. Toggle the option on and input your proxy port address and port. The details can be found on your proxy provider’s dashboard. Configure the settings to your preferences.
5. Finalize the process by clicking save.

MacOS

1. Navigate to System preferences. From there click through Network > Advanced > Proxies. Your network type would likely be Wi-Fi unless it’s different.
2. On the protocol menu, select the “SOCKS proxy” option. Enter the required proxy details.
3. Click “OK” to save your settings.

Android

1. From your device’s Settings, navigate to Network & Internet or a similar option.
2. If you aren’t already connected, turn on your WiFi and connect to your preferred network.
3. Once connected, hold the WiFi name till an option to Modify/Manage network settings comes up, then select it. In more recent Android versions, tap the network name, then tap the edit icon.
4. Find and select Advanced Options.
5. Change the proxy settings from “None” to “Manual.”
6. Fill in the details of your SOCKS5 proxy.
7. Save your settings.

iOS

1. From your phone settings, open WiFi.
2. Connect to a WiFi network and tap the information sign beside the network name.
3. Scroll down and select the Configure Proxy option.
4. Change the proxy option to manual and fill in the required details provided by your proxy provider.
5. Save your settings.

Setting up SOCKS proxy on different browsers

Alternatively, you can set up a SOCKS proxy from your PC browser. Use this method by following these steps.

Google Chrome

1. Click the browser menu button (three dots) in the top-right corner of your screen. Navigate to and select the Settings option.
2. Click “Open your computer’s proxy settings”.
3. Refer to step 3 in Setting up your SOCKS proxy on Windows, and follow to the end.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click the browser menu (three lines) at the top-right corner of your screen.
2. Select Settings and scroll down to Network settings. Click the Settings bar.
3. On the window that pops up, switch to Manual proxy configuration.
4. Input the required information and click “OK” to save your settings.

Before starting with any of the steps, check your device’s IP address. After setting up your SOCKS proxy, check your IP again to confirm it worked.  

Should You Use a Free SOCKS Proxy?

While free proxies can be an attractive option, it’s important to be aware of the potential drawbacks they come with. These can include security risks like malware or privacy violations. Below are some issues commonly associated with free proxies.

• Cookie theft: Internet cookies are small data files that contain information about your login details, browsing history and preferences. These cookies help websites tailor your experience and remember things like passwords, so you don’t have to repeat the login process every time. When you accept cookies on a website, you agree to reveal the sensitive data they contain. Since the majority of free proxy services don’t use encryptions, malicious providers can easily see the cookie data to either use or sell them.

• Ads and malware: Free proxy providers have to raise money somehow and if it’s not from you, it could be from a third party through ads. These unwanted ads can be injected into websites you visit, cluttering your screen and slowing down your connection. Even worse, these ads could contain harmful malware.

• Poor performance: Free proxy services also have performance issues since they are usually overwhelmed by users. So many simultaneous users put a significant strain on the proxy servers leading to slow connection speeds – even some commercial providers face this problem. Moreso, many of these free proxy servers get blocked and blacklisted frequently, so users often have to switch servers constantly to avoid the problem.

Considering the security risks that come with a free SOCKS5 proxy provider, your safest bet is using a premium proxy service like Proxy-Cheap.

FAQs

What does a SOCKS proxy do?

Like all proxies, a SOCKS proxy disguises your device’s IP address to mask your identity online or grant you access to content. What sets SOCKS apart from other proxies like HTTP SOCKS4, is that it is not limited in the type of data it can handle and it supports authentication, respectively.

Do SOCKS proxies hide your IP address?

Yes, a SOCKS proxy hides your IP address. It does so by replacing your device’s IP address with that of the proxy server, so web hosts see the proxy server’s address rather than your real one.

How do I set up a SOCKS proxy?

The first step to setting up a SOCKS proxy is getting a proxy service provider like Proxy-Cheap. On Windows 11, navigate through Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy, click “set up” under manual proxy setup, input the details given by your provider and save your settings. We discuss how to set up a SOCKS proxy for other operating systems and browsers in the guide above.

Is a SOCKS proxy secure?

It depends on the variation of SOCKS you use. The more recent and advanced SOCKS supports authentication (passwords, cryptography, etc.) and it is also compatible with which helps encrypt transferred data for an additional layer of security.

Conclusion

The internet offers a vast and constantly evolving landscape of information and entertainment. But with this great freedom comes a responsibility to protect your privacy and security. With SOCKS proxies, you can address those security concerns and navigate the webscape on your own terms.

Apart from offering the general benefits of a proxy, SOCKS proxies stand out for their speed and versatility, making them a common choice among both individuals and businesses. Remember, a free proxy is usually not worth it, with its potential security risks and performance issues.

Using a reputable SOCKS proxy provider like Proxy-Cheap can grant you peace of mind as you sail the potentially perilous seas of the online world. Proxy-Cheap offers affordable premium proxy services designed for safety and reliability that can meet the most demanding use cases.