Does NordVPN Offer SOCKS5 Proxy? (Updated 2021)
SOCKS5 proxy offers a way out for people who don’t want their IP address exposed on a public connection. While it supports authentication, unlike a VPN, it doesn’t encrypt your data and is not impenetrable. A VPN offers more in terms of privacy and security. Using it together with a SOCKS5 proxy gives you an added security and privacy layer.
What Is SOCKS5 Proxy?
Generally, a proxy is basically something/someone that can act as a substitute for another. When we move to computer networks, a proxy server is a computer system that acts as a middleman between your local network and a public network (usually the internet). Among other things, proxy servers usually act as security measures to avoid having computers on your internal network exposed to the internet, so they mask your IP address with theirs. It can also act as a firewall with functions such as traffic forwarding and filtering.
SOCKS, which represents Socket Secure, is a protocol that proxy servers use to move network traffic between a client computer and a server. Unlike some proxies, SOCKS works with any type of network traffic. You can use it for email, Peer-To-Peer (P2P) sharing, web browsing, and file transfers, among other things. There are two versions of SOCKS: SOCKS4 and SOCKS5. SOCK5 proxy is an improved version of the earlier SOCKS4.
The main difference between the two is that SOCKS5 supports authentication (it has three different authentication methods) and UDP proxies. In other words, it is more secure as it can set up a full TCP connection with authentication and relays traffic with the aid of the Secure Shell protocol (SSH).
Get NordVPN with SOCKS5 proxy servers
Benefits of Using SOCKS5 Proxy
There are different benefits of using SOCKS5 proxies. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
1. Bypass Restrictions
One of the most popular reasons why people use proxy servers is to mask their IP address. This provides a way to maintain their anonymity on the internet and bypass whatever restrictions their previous IP address could not. Geo-restrictions and IP blacklisting are the two major IP address restrictions that can affect anyone. Using a SOCKS5 proxy will easily allow you to access a website that previously blacklisted your IP address. Plus, since it has the ability to process different types of requests, it has become a popular choice. However, you are likely not to bypass national firewalls that use deep packet inspection to inspect internet traffic.
2. Faster Connections
Unlike SOCKS4 that can only use the TCP protocol, SOCKS5 proxy servers can utilize both TCP and UDP. The ability to use UDP allows a faster connection as it is not concerned with ensuring that packets arrive in the same order or arrive at all, unlike TCP.
3. Better Performance
Unlike other proxies, SOCKS5 proxies don’t rewrite data packet headers, reducing the chance for errors. Since errors ultimately affect performance, SOCKS5 proxies are likely to give you better performance than others but at the risk of your security and privacy. It also offers faster download speeds on Peer-To-Peer (P2P) activities, which is why users prefer it for P2P activities, especially torrenting.
Why Do You Need a VPN for SOCKS5 Proxy?
Although SOCKS5 offers better performance than a regular proxy, it does not encrypt traffic. Its principal function is to mask your original IP address from the websites that you visit. A Virtual Private Network, on the other hand, offers several security features, including encryption. It creates a secure tunnel between a user’s device and its server network traffic so that users can browse the internet without any fear of unwanted network penetration.
When you use a VPN in combination with a SOCKS5 Proxy, it encrypts the data that moves from your device to the proxy server, ensuring that no one, even your ISP, can monitor your internet traffic. However, when you use these two security solutions together, your speed might take a hit. You can always stick to using either of the two, a VPN being the preferable option. You can use only a SOCKS5 proxy if you’re comfortable with just IP masking without any concern for privacy and security.
Does NordVPN Offer SOCKS5 Proxy?
NordVPN is one of the premium VPNs that allows its users to connect to a SOCKS5 proxy server. However, if you check the NordVPN website, you will find little information about the SOCKS5 servers they have and their locations. It is better you reach out to NordVPN support if you need to find out more about their proxy servers, as they can give you a list of SOCKS5 proxy servers you can use.
Using NordVPN’s proxy servers does not come at an extra cost. You can use it if you are already a NordVPN subscriber. Using NordVPN’s SOCK5 proxy servers allows some flexibility. You can choose between maximum security or maximum speed, and if you don’t want to sacrifice one for the other, you can find a balance. Using NordVPN with SOCKS5 allows you to enjoy the added protection that comes with combining the two of them and offers some flexibility.
How To Set Up and Use SOCKS5 Proxy With NordVPN
In order to use the SOCKS5 proxy with NordVPN, you must configure it in a browser or torrent client. Since SOCKS5 proxies are pretty popular with P2P activities, we will look at setting it up on one of the most popular torrent clients–BitTorrent. Let’s take a look at the configuration process.
1. The first step is to launch your BitTorrent application.
2. Next, at the top of the window, select “Options, ” then “Preferences, ” or you can just use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+P. ”
3. Select “Connection” on the sidebar to the left.
4. Under the “Proxy Server” section, pick “SOCKS5” in the “Type” field.
5. Input the following server addresses in the “Proxy” field:
6. In the “Port” field, input “1080” as the port number.
7. Tick the following boxes in their respective fields:
Authentication
Use proxy for hostname lookups
Use proxy for peer-to-peer connections
Disable all local DNS lookups
Disable features that leak identifying information
Disable connections unsupported by the proxy
8. In the “Username” and “Password” fields, input your NordVPN service username and password. Go to your Nord Account dashboard if you don’t know your service credentials.
You can see the process is simple and easy. The next thing you need to do is confirm that the SOCKS5 proxy is working.
How to Verify That the SOCKS5 Proxy Is Working
Here’s what you need to do to ascertain the SOCKS5 proxy is configured properly:
1. Head over to the ipMagnet site and click on “Magnet link” (don’t quit the website).
2. A small window will pop up so you can choose an application to open the magnet link. Select your torrent client (BitTorrent) and click the “OK” button.
3. BitTorrent will launch after. Choose where to save the torrent file and click the “OK” button.
4. You will see an “ipMagnet Tracking Link” file synchronizing, then connecting to peers.
5. Go back to the ipMagnet site, and you will see your new IP address on the page. You have now verified that your torrent client (BitTorrent) downloads files through NordVPN’s SOCKS5 proxy servers.
Why Use NordVPN With SOCKS5 Proxy?
There are several benefits to using NordVPN with SOCKS5 Proxy. Let’s take a look at some of them.
1. Privacy and Security
SOCKS5 proxy servers offer some privacy and security, but it is not enough to prevent malicious hackers from penetrating your network. NordVPN boasts of safety and reliability. The AES-256 encryption cipher it uses makes your connection impenetrable; not even your ISPs can see what is going on in the encryption tunnel. It also uses secure protocols like OpenVPN.
NordVPN’s kill switch ensures that whenever your VPN connection cuts, your internet connection is also restricted to avoid IP address leaks. DNS/WebRTC leak protection also contributes to preventing IP address exposure. Other features include Double VPN, Tor over VPN, and Split Tunneling. Using NordVPN with SOCKS proxy gives you an added protection layer over a public network like the internet.
2. Server Network
NordVPN’s server network allows you to bypass whatever restriction you need a SOCKS5 proxy server for. Its more than 5000 servers are spread across 59 countries in different regions worldwide. You can connect to its specialty servers to help you with particular situations like streaming, torrenting, and bypassing restrictions in areas with heavy censorship. It also has servers you can use for SOCKS5 proxy connections.
Conclusion
SOCKS5 proxies and VPNs both have benefits and drawbacks, but using them together allows you to take advantage of their benefits and reduce their drawbacks. If you are hellbent on using a SOCKS5 proxy, it is better to be on the safe side and take advantage of NordVPN’s robust security and privacy features.
NordVPN is removing its HTTP proxies
What is a Proxy?
A proxy is a server you can route your internet traffic through, hiding your IP address. The proxy server acts as a middleman between a specific application — your web browser, for example — and the website you want to visit.
With the proxy in play, your internet service provider (ISP) won’t be able to see what pages you’re accessing in real-time. In this way, using a proxy can help you bypass some primitive geographic internet restrictions, and conceal your IP address. That can be useful, but it has its limitations.
Proxies are sometimes confused with VPNs, but they’re markedly different. While a VPN offers protection from cybercriminals and stops your ISP selling your data, a proxy does not.
There are multiple different variants when it comes to proxies, but the one we’re focusing on here is the HTTP proxy.
What is an HTTP Proxy?
HTTP proxies are used mainly for accessing geo-restricted websites and limiting the extent to which an ISP can track online activity. It does not offer any protection against hackers, however, and usually only works with one application at a time.
Previously, NordVPN maintained a number of HTTP proxy servers, although we’ve always recommended that our users upgrade their security with a full VPN. Now, we’re ending that practice.
Why are we discontinuing our HTTP proxies?
NordVPN’s HTTP proxy servers are being removed for two reasons. Firstly, HTTP proxies are often abused, which can have a negative impact on the experience of our other legitimate users. That’s not something we want to facilitate.
Secondly, we have a better, safer alternative: a NordVPN proxy extension that you can install on your browser of choice. Not only is our proxy extension much easier to use than the old HTTP proxies, but it also encrypts your data.
Find out how to install the NordVPN extension on Chrome and other browsers today.
Is our proxy extension better than an HTTP proxy?
Yes! An HTTP proxy might let you bypass geo-restrictions and hide your IP address, but it provides very few benefits beyond that. Your data isn’t encrypted, so your activity will be completely visible to any criminals or hackers intercepting it.
Adding our proxy extension to your browser will shield your personal information in layers of encryption, while still providing the same IP-related benefits as a regular proxy.
Our proxy extension boasts an accessible user-friendly interface and a range of helpful features, including CyberSec and WebRTC-blocking. Better internet speed, stability, and security are only a click away.
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Malcolm Higgins
Verified author
Malcolm is a content writer specializing in cybersecurity and tech news. With a background in journalism and a passion for digital privacy, he hopes his work will empower people to control their own data.
What is the difference between a VPN and a proxy? – Panda Security
As you dig into the networking settings on your computer or smartphone, you’ll often see options labelled “VPN” or “Proxy”. Although they do similar jobs, they are also very different. This article will help you understand what the difference is, and when you might want to use one.
What is a proxy?
Normally when you browse the web, your computer connects to a website directly and begins downloading the pages for you to read. This process is simple and direct.
When you use a proxy server, your computer sends all web traffic to the proxy first. The proxy forwards your request to the target website, downloads the relevant information, and then passes it back to you.
Why would you do this? There’s a couple of reasons:
You want to browse a website anonymously – all traffic appears to come from the proxy server, not your computer.
You need to bypass a content restriction. Famously, your UK Netflix subscription won’t work in the USA. But if you connect to a UK proxy server it looks like you are watching TV from the UK and everything works as expected.
Although they work very well, there’s also a few problems with proxies:
All of the web traffic that passes through a proxy can be seen by the server owner. Do you know the proxy owner? Can they be trusted?
Web traffic between your computer and proxy, and proxy and website is unencrypted, so a skilled hacked can intercept sensitive data in transit and steal it.
What is a VPN?
A VPN is quite similar to a proxy. Your computer is configured to connect to another server, and it may be that your route web traffic through that server. But where a proxy server can only redirect web requests, a VPN connection is capable of routing and anonymising all of your network traffic.
But there is one significant advantage of the VPN – all traffic is encrypted. This means that hackers cannot intercept data between your computer and the VPN server, so your sensitive personal information cannot be compromised.
VPNs are the most secure choice
By encrypting and routing all of your network traffic, the VPN has a distinct advantage over a proxy server. And more than simply anonymising your web activities, a proxy server offers additional functionality too.
Take the Panda Dome VPN service. Not only does it anonymise your internet traffic and help you circumvent geographic filters, but traffic is also carefully inspected and filtered. Our VPN servers check every request and block anything that is known to be dangerous, like websites that host malware.
Routing your web traffic through an advanced VPN helps you avoid malware infections, phishing scams and fake websites. And because Panda’s servers are constantly updated, you are protected around the clock from sophisticated cybercrime attacks.
You can get started with the Panda VPN now – for free – here. And for more help and advice about staying safe online, take a look at the practical tips in the Panda Security blog.
technologytipsVPN
Panda Security specializes in the development of endpoint security products and is part of the WatchGuard portfolio of IT security solutions. Initially focused on the development of antivirus software, the company has since expanded its line of business to advanced cyber-security services with technology for preventing cyber-crime.
Frequently Asked Questions about nordvpn proxy type
Does NordVPN have proxies?
From February 15th, NordVPN will no longer be offering HTTP Proxies. We want to make our infrastructure as safe and efficient as possible: read on to find out how discontinuing our HTTP proxies helps us do that.Jan 22, 2021
What proxy type is a VPN?
A VPN is quite similar to a proxy. Your computer is configured to connect to another server, and it may be that your route web traffic through that server. But where a proxy server can only redirect web requests, a VPN connection is capable of routing and anonymising all of your network traffic.Dec 12, 2018
What are the different types of proxy servers?
There are two types of proxies: forward proxies (or tunnel, or gateway) and reverse proxies (used to control and protect access to a server for load-balancing, authentication, decryption or caching).Aug 13, 2021