Proxy

A proxy server ✕ A server is a powerful computer that provides data or services to other devices — for example serving a website or storing your cloud files. More in the glossary → sits between your device and the internet: your requests go through the proxy, so the destination site sees its IP instead of yours. This helps mask your location or get around blocks. The key difference from a VPN ✕ A VPN routes your internet traffic through an encrypted external server. This hides your real IP address and stops third parties — like your provider or public Wi-Fi — from seeing what you do. More in the glossary → : a proxy usually only reroutes individual apps and typically doesn't encrypt traffic ✕ Traffic is the amount of data your website transfers, determined by visitor numbers and page size. Some hosting plans cap monthly traffic. More in the glossary → , whereas a VPN protects the whole system and encrypts everything. For real privacy, a VPN is the better choice. More in the best VPN comparison.