Backconnect Proxy: Explanation & Comparison To Other Proxies
Scaling up your web scraping project is not an easy task. Adding proxies is one of the first actions you will need to take. You will need to manage a healthy proxy pool to avoid bans. There are a lot of proxy services/providers, each having a whole host of different types of proxies. In this blog post, you are going to learn how backconnect proxies work and when you should use them.
The web scraping proxy landscape
Before we get into the details of backconnect proxies it’s important to understand the different types of proxies. Here’s a summary:
IP address
So, first of all, we can refer to proxies based on the IP address type:
DatacenterResidentialMobile
A backconnect proxy network can be a set of any of these or even a combination of these.
Knowing what kind of address you need for your web scraping project is important. You can read more about IP address types in our web scraping proxy guide!
Proxy quality
We can also group proxies together based on their quality:
Public/open: free proxiesShared: multiple users use the same proxy, shared resourcesDedicated: only accessible to you
Public proxies are free and can be used by anyone. Hence, the quality is poor and you probably can’t use them to scale your web scraping. Dedicated proxies are the best for web scraping. Only you can access them and you have all the control over them.
Proxy management
Finally, we can define proxies based on if they are managed proxies or not:
Regular proxy: a single proxy that you can use to access a website, not managedBackconnect proxy: a managed proxy network (or pool) with features helping you scrape websites
Now let’s see the difference between these two types.
How regular proxies work
The way a regular proxy server works is pretty simple. You send your request through one proxy and hope that you will get a successful response back. If the IP address is banned you will need to try it with another proxy. Here’s an illustration:
Using regular proxies is not a scalable solution unless you implement your proxy management solution. Main challenges of proxy management: identify bans, rotate proxies, user agent management, add delays, and geo-targeting.
How backconnect proxies work
Backconnect proxies are an easy way to handle multiple requests. You can think of it as a pool of IP addresses, from the list above, plus proxy management. Unlike regular proxies where you need to send your requests through different proxies manually, with backconnect proxies you need to send all your requests through one proxy network only. Which then assigns a working IP address for you. If it gets banned you automatically get another IP address, then another, and so on. As a user, it’s hassle-free.
If you use a backconnect proxy for scraping, you don’t directly access proxies one-by-one. Instead, you access a pool of proxies and you will instantly get a proxy that can reach the target website with relative ease. As an example, let’s see how our backconnect proxy, Zyte Smart Proxy Manager (formerly Crawlera) works:
Using backconnect proxies with automatic ban detection, you can scale up your web scraping projects to millions of requests per day. As you don’t directly access the proxies, but through a network, your original IP address will be untraceable.
Features to look for when choosing a backconnect proxy provider:
Geographically distributedIntelligent netloc specific proxy rotation logicBrowser profile managementThrottling algorithmsBuilt-In session management
Be respectful
It’s also important to be respectful when crawling websites. This means, do not harm the website by sending too many requests. If necessary, limit the number of concurrent requests or wait between requests. Read our web scraping best practices guide for more information.
Why would you choose Zyte Smart Proxy Manager as your backconnect proxy provider?
Performance
Having a quality proxy pool at your fingertips is already a huge advantage over regular proxies but our managed backconnect proxy network has much more features to combat blocks. Features like automatic proxy rotation, geolocation, custom user agents, configurable browser profiles, and cookies. With these, you will be able to achieve your desired requests per minute (RPM) or throughput with a minimum of fuss.
Cost
Zyte Smart Proxy Manager’s quality proxy pool combined with intelligent proxy rotation and automatic ban avoidance capabilities allows you to leverage datacenter proxies to the greatest possible degree. Using residential proxies optimally, therefore keeping the costs down.
If you want to experience what Zyte Smart Proxy Manager is capable of, TRY IT FOR FREE!
What is a backconnect proxy? – Blog | Oxylabs
Web scraping allows you to collect public information from websites for price comparison, carrying out market research, performing ad verification, etc. The required public data is usually extracted in large quantities, but the extraction can prove problematic when you encounter blockades. The blockade can either be IP blocking (the request’s IP address is blocked because it is from a forbidden location, forbidden type of IP, etc. ) or a rate-blocking (the IP address is blocked because it has made multiple requests).
This article explains how backconnect proxies can be a great solution to deal with these issues.
Navigation:Backconnect proxies: what are they? How do backconnect proxies work? Pros and cons of backconnect proxiesConclusion
Backconnect proxies: what are they?
A backconnect proxy is defined as a server containing a set of regular proxies that are engaged every time a request is made. Proxies are regularly and automatically shuffled so that on each request, a different IP address is sent to the website to collect the public information requested. Your masked IP address passes through a different proxy on every request. In this case, it is harder for a target website to detect your web scraping activity.
How do backconnect proxies work?
Simply put, a backconnect proxy works by removing most of the difficulties encountered when browsing the web. This occurs via a process that can be described as follows:
You send a request via a masked IP addressThe request goes through one of the many proxies in the pool of proxiesThe request gets to the target website The website provides the requested public information which returns to you via the same proxyThen you make another requestThe new request is passed through a new and different proxy, so it also gets to the website Again, the website provides the requested public information.
This process above is repeated every time a request to the target website is made. Backconnect proxies can help you make millions of successful requests every day.
Backconnect proxies can help you make a huge amount of successful requests daily
Pros and cons of backconnect proxies
To fully understand what a backconnect proxy is, you need to know what its advantages and disadvantages are as well.
Pros
They save time
This could be the number one reason why backconnect proxies are a very popular solution for web scraping. The backconnect proxy network uses a rotation system that rotates proxies and assigns them different requests. The fact that you can make multiple requests per minute goes a long way to save you time. You also do not need to maintain proxy rotation as it is done automatically.
They eliminate limits on requests
Backconnect proxies are used for web scraping because they eliminate rate limits. Rate limits are limits on how many requests can be made to a target website. Websites limit how many times a proxy can access their information and bans that proxy once that limit is exceeded. Backconnect proxies help to overcome this challenge by rotating your IP address to different proxies on each request made.
They increase anonymity
You would need to maintain a significantly high anonymity level when scraping the web if you intend to do it successfully. Many websites are usually designed to ban unmasked IP addresses, so anonymity is necessary to prevent getting banned. A backconnect proxy can do all that while still maintaining the overall power of your scraping software.
They increase the security of IP addresses
The security risk is a significant concern while scraping the web. There is always a risk of being targeted with malicious content. If your IP address is targeted and infiltrated successfully, the consequences can range from a major but temporary setback to a complete end of your web scraping career. Since the backconnect proxy stands between you and the website server, one of its functions is to ensure that information containing malicious content does not get to you. It protects you and your IP address from malicious activities.
It is important to understand the pros and cons of backconnect proxies
Cons
They increase overall cost
Backconnect proxies offer better security and anonymity, multiple requests with no limits, and reduced extraction time. Of course, all of these benefits come with an extra cost, so this is the reason why backconnect proxies are usually more expensive than other proxy types. However, if you search for a reliable and effective solution for web scraping, residential backconnect proxies are one of the best choices you can make.
They can sometimes have speed challenges
You may notice that the proxy does not deliver the request or return information to your server fast enough. This can be problematic and affect your overall productivity. However, this disadvantage only arises when you use a backconnect proxy network that is far enough from your scraping server or target server. For example, imagine that your scraping server is in Germany, the backconnect proxy server is in the USA, and your target server is in Russia. Your request goes from Germany to the USA, then to Russia, then back to the USA, and finally reaches your scraping server in Germany. Because of this long and challenging process, speed issues are not that surprising. The way to fix it – choose the backconnect proxy server as nearest as possible to you or your target location.
Conclusion
Web scraping is useful for several reasons and can be very successful and lucrative when done correctly. You can improve your web scraping process with a backconnect proxy. In this case, you will not need to deal with IP blocks, rate limits, and other issues. Choosing a reliable proxy service provider is essential because only then you can take full advantage of proxies without any problems.
If you are interested in other types of proxies, such as Next-Gen Residential Proxies or how to build a web scraper, we suggest you check our other blog posts.
Iveta Vistorskyte is a Content Manager at Oxylabs. Growing up as a writer and a challenge seeker, she decided to welcome herself to the tech-side, and instantly became interested in this field. When she is not at work, you’ll probably find her just chillin’ while listening to her favorite music or playing board games with friends.
All information on Oxylabs Blog is provided on an “as is” basis and for informational purposes only. We make no representation and disclaim all liability with respect to your use of any information contained on Oxylabs Blog or any third-party websites that may be linked therein. Before engaging in scraping activities of any kind you should consult your legal advisors and carefully read the particular website’s terms of service or receive a scraping license.
What Is a Backconnect Proxy | GeoSurf
07 Dec
If you have read our blog, you probably know what a regular proxy is and how useful it can be.
There are many ways to use proxies and the number of them increases daily. From sneaker proxies to proxies for SEO, people find more and more purposes to utilize this very convenient way to overcome some of the most difficult barriers when browsing the web.
Regular residential proxies can come in handy in all these situations. However, as useful as they are to a majority of proxy users, there are some situations when they are simply not good enough.
This is the moment when more advanced types of proxies enter the stage. One of these advanced proxy types is a backconnect proxy.
What Are Backconnect Proxies?
A backconnect proxy is a server that uses a pool of residential proxies. It regularly switches between them after a short period of time, thus providing much more anonymity and significantly better security.
It is, in fact, a residential proxy that is upgraded and offers better opportunities than a basic residential proxy.
However, to reassure you right away, it is equally user-friendly and convenient as a regular residential proxy.
Regular Residential Proxies
Now, to know whether you need a residential or a backconnect proxy, you need to know the exact difference between them.
As you already know, a residential proxy is a server that masks your IP address and thus allows you to access practically any website you want.
It acts as an intermediary between your IP address and your target website in order to prevent the website from detecting your true IP.
Still, a residential proxy is a single server machine and this can somewhat limit your browsing possibilities.
Think of it in the following way:
If you want a raise but you can’t ask your CEO directly, you are going to ask one of your friends/colleagues at a higher level to ask the CEO for you.
However, if this colleague asks the CEO repeatedly, the CEO will see this as suspicious and tell your colleague not to ask again.
That’s what happens when you use a regular residential IP.
When you send a request, it goes through one proxy server and reaches your target website. When the website sends you the information you need, it goes through the same proxy to reach you.
If you do this repeatedly, after some time the website’s server will recognize that you are using the same proxy server and prevent you from accessing it.
In a nutshell, that is how a regular residential proxy works. Still, it offers some amazing opportunities to people who make simple browsing requests.
Residential Backconnect Proxies
On the other hand, if you want to use proxies for some more advanced requests, you will need better connection and security, as well as more anonymity.
Now let’s return to our story. If you ask several of your colleagues to ask your CEO about your raise, the CEO will not think this is suspicious as they will take turns.
Consequently, none of them will bore the CEO and you will stand a much better chance to get a raise.
This is how a backconnect proxy works. Each time you make a request, it will be processed through a different IP and thus protect your security and anonymity.
When you repeatedly make similar or identical requests, your target website will not recognize them as a suspicious activity since they will come from many different servers.
In addition, you will be more protected due to the fact that it is highly unlikely that you become a target of a malware attack since your real IP will be covered by many different servers at different times.
With this in mind, it is obvious why it is much more efficient to buy backconnect proxies if you want to make some more advanced requests, such as web scraping and crawling.
Backconnect vs. Rotating vs. Reverse Proxies
There is some confusion associated with these three terms.
To know what you need, you need to know what there is and how it differs from the rest. We want to clarify any misconceptions by explaining different proxy concepts.
You will heave a sigh of relief when we tell you that rotating proxies are basically the same thing as backconnect proxies.
The thing is that some providers and users call them backconnect rotating proxies or residential rotating proxies because they rotate after a period of time or when you make a request.
However, reverse backconnect proxies work in a different way. They are not used for web browsing, but instead by websites.
Reverse proxies are used by websites as a means of protection from malicious traffic and various types of connections, etc. In other words, they are used as filters or firewalls.
Reverse backconnect proxies are recognized by browsers as a web server, while the website hides behind the proxy. This way, the website remains safe.
Pros and Cons of Backconnect Proxies
You should be well aware of all the advantages and disadvantages of a product before buying it.
Here is the list of pros and cons of residential backconnect proxies.
Pros
There are many advantages to using this type of proxies, and most of them are made possible precisely by the fact that it uses proxy rotation.
Here are the pros:
– Great Speed
The first and probably the most important advantage of backconnect proxies is that they provide better speed.
The fact that they constantly rotate in order to achieve better connection and security also contributes to their speed. And greatly so.
Due to the fact that residential rotating proxies use a rotation method, you will be able to make a greater number of requests per minute. You won’t have to wait before your next request or be careful as with regular proxy servers.
Therefore, you will be able to get more information in the same or a shorter time period.
– No Rate Limit
If you want to scrape or crawl the web, then a backconnect proxy is a perfect solution for you.
A great number of rotating IPs means that there is no need to worry about rate limits if you are using scraping software.
Also, the overall power of the software will not be reduced, enabling you to do the scraping successfully and very effectively.
– Better Anonymity
Again, thanks to many rotating servers, your true IP will be practically invisible.
Anonymity is a great concern of many people who use proxies. Regular residential proxies provide a decent level of anonymity to an average user.
However, if you want to make some more advanced requests, you need to increase your anonymity.
When you use backconnect proxies, your IP address will stay unknown to the server of your target website because it will be hidden behind many different servers which rotate.
– Better Security
When you buy backconnect proxies, you will be able to make requests through servers located in many different countries.
This will greatly increase your safety and security when browsing the web, as all of them will stand between you and malicious content.
However, you need to make sure to use proxies in countries that are not frowned upon by your target website’s server.
Cons
As great as residential backconnect proxies are, they still have certain disadvantages.
It is only fair to warn you about these before you decide if you want to buy them.
Here are the cons:
– Cost
When you buy this type of proxy, you get a pool of high-quality residential proxy servers with different locations and along with it an almost guaranteed possibility to remain safe, fast and anonymous.
This is a great feature, but it implies that this service will be more expensive than a regular proxy.
That is why we advise you to use regular proxies if you want to browse the web for your personal needs, as it will definitely be enough.
However, if you are a business and need to have a pool of first-rate rotating proxies, you should opt for residential backconnect proxies.
– Speed issues
Yes, it’s true that a backconnect proxy is generally faster, but you still might face some speed issues.
The trouble with backconnect rotating proxies is that some of them can be incompatible with your server. This is the only reason why the problem with speed might occur.
However, if you choose a reliable provider, you definitely won’t have to deal with this. Still, we wanted to warn you just in case.
Buy Backconnect Proxies
If you really need high-end proxies for advanced online activities, such as web scraping, crawling, using SEO software or creating accounts, your best bet is to buy backconnect proxies.
The offer is huge and there are many providers who sell backconnect proxies. However, not all proxies are created equal.
It is up to you to determine how important the quality of residential backconnect proxies is for your business and to decide whether you want to take risks or not.
Our advice is, of course, not to take risks and check for a trial of this service.
There are millions of cheap residential proxies online, but they are usually not so high-quality. Many providers sell them without being aware of putting their business at stake.
On the other hand, you can still find many reliable options.
For example, ProxyBandit was a great option for high-quality proxies. They had great service and numerous satisfied customers. Unfortunately, they stopped working some time ago.
However, the online offer of great backconnect proxies is still wide. You just need to make sure that you opt for a high-quality service.
When you purchase backconnect proxies which are reliable, fast and secure, you will see that this is the best choice for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions about backconnect proxy
What is a Backconnect proxy?
A backconnect proxy is defined as a server containing a set of regular proxies that are engaged every time a request is made. Proxies are regularly and automatically shuffled so that on each request, a different IP address is sent to the website to collect the public information requested.Jan 28, 2021
What is Backconnect?
A backconnect proxy is a server that uses a pool of residential proxies. It regularly switches between them after a short period of time, thus providing much more anonymity and significantly better security.Jul 2, 2019
What is generic proxy?
Generic proxy: unlike dedicated proxies, a generic proxy server isn’t specialized and is used for multiple communication protocols.Jul 14, 2016