Proxy Glossary A-Z: The Terms You Will Actually Meet
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This proxy glossary collects the terms you will run into when researching, buying and configuring proxies, each with a short plain-English explanation. Terms are grouped by topic: proxy types, protocols and connections, authentication and formats, IP addresses and networks, detection and leaks, and error codes and day-to-day operation. Where a concept needs more than a line, we link to a dedicated article. If you are completely new, read what is a proxy first and come back here as a reference.
Proxy types
VinaProxy currently sells private IPv4 (datacenter) proxies in 7 countries and static ISP proxies in Vietnam and the US; rotating residential and 4G proxies are not on sale. For comparisons, see ISP vs datacenter vs residential proxies and static vs rotating proxies.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Proxy server | An intermediary that sends your requests on your behalf, so websites see the proxy's IP |
| Datacenter proxy | An IP owned by a hosting or infrastructure company; fast, stable and inexpensive |
| Static ISP proxy | An IP registered to a consumer internet provider but hosted on servers, fixed for the rental |
| Residential proxy | An IP from a real home device, usually rotating |
| Mobile (4G) proxy | A mobile carrier IP, shared by many users through carrier NAT |
| Private or dedicated proxy | An IP assigned to one customer for the whole rental |
| Shared proxy | One IP used by several customers; cheaper, but its reputation depends on others |
| Static proxy | An IP that does not change between connections |
| Rotating proxy | An IP that changes per request or on a schedule |
| Free proxy | A public proxy that costs nothing, usually slow, short-lived and risky |
Protocols and connections
VinaProxy proxies use HTTP/HTTPS. The HTTP and SOCKS5 difference is explained in HTTP vs SOCKS5 proxy, and forward versus reverse in forward proxy vs reverse proxy.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| HTTP proxy | A proxy that speaks the web protocol; built into browsers and most tools |
| HTTPS proxy, CONNECT tunnel | An HTTP proxy using CONNECT to tunnel to https sites; content stays encrypted between browser and site |
| SOCKS5 | A lower-level proxy protocol that relays many kinds of connections beyond the web |
| Forward proxy | Sits on the user's side and sends requests out to the internet; the kind you buy |
| Reverse proxy | Sits in front of a web server for load balancing, caching and protection |
| Port | The service number on the proxy server, paired with its IP |
| Latency, ping | Round-trip time of a packet, in milliseconds |
| Bandwidth | Data passing through the proxy; VinaProxy proxies have unlimited bandwidth |
Authentication and formats
VinaProxy proxies authenticate with username and password. See the ip:port:user:pass format and the proxy format converter.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Username and password authentication | Each connection sends the proxy's login and password |
| IP whitelist authentication | The proxy accepts connections only from registered IPs, no password |
| ip:port:user:pass | A one-line proxy format common when importing into tools |
| Proxy URL | The http://user:pass@ip:port form used in code and command lines |
| HTTP_PROXY, HTTPS_PROXY | Environment variables many programs read to use a proxy automatically |
IP addresses and networks
Go deeper with what is an ASN, IP subnets and multiple accounts and why IP geolocation is wrong.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| IPv4 address | An address in four number groups, such as 203.0.113.10 |
| IPv6 address | The newer, longer address format written in hexadecimal |
| Static vs dynamic IP | An IP that stays fixed or one that changes over time |
| Public vs private IP | An address visible on the internet versus one used only inside a local network |
| Subnet | A block of neighbouring IPs, such as one /24 |
| ASN | Autonomous System Number, the network ID of the provider that owns an IP range |
| IP geolocation | A database estimate of an IP's country and city; approximate only |
| DNS | The system that turns domain names into IP addresses |
Detection, leaks and accounts
No proxy is perfectly anonymous or ban-proof; the IP is one signal among many. Test your setup with the WebRTC leak test and read how websites detect proxies.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| WebRTC leak | The browser exposes your real IP through WebRTC despite the proxy |
| DNS leak | Domain lookups bypass the proxy and reveal your real provider |
| Browser fingerprint | Details about browser, device, fonts and screen used to recognise a device |
| Antidetect browser | A browser running many isolated profiles, each with its own fingerprint and proxy |
| IP blacklist | A list of IPs flagged for spam or abuse |
| Anonymity level | A classification of proxies by whether headers reveal the real IP or proxy use |
| CAPTCHA | A human-or-bot test shown when traffic looks suspicious |
| Checkpoint | Facebook's account verification step after unusual activity |
Errors and operations
When something breaks, see error 407, error 502 or proxy timeout. VinaProxy proxies are renewed from the dashboard to keep the IP; see renew a proxy and keep the same IP.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 407 Proxy Authentication Required | The proxy needs credentials and did not receive valid ones |
| 502 Bad Gateway | The proxy could not get a valid response from the target site |
| 429 Too Many Requests | The site refuses because too many requests arrived too quickly |
| Timeout | The connection did not respond in the allowed time |
| Rate limit | The maximum requests a site allows within a time window |
| Proxy pool | A managed set of proxies distributed across tasks |
| Sticky session | Keeping one IP for a period on a rotating proxy |
| Renewal | Paying for the next period to keep the same IP |
Frequently asked questions
Are a proxy and a VPN the same thing?
No. A proxy relays traffic for the apps configured to use it and adds no encryption; a VPN builds an encrypted tunnel for the whole device. See our proxy vs VPN comparison.
What is the difference between a private and a static proxy?
Private is about users: only one customer. Static is about the IP: it does not change. VinaProxy proxies are both, dedicated and fixed for the rental.
Is an ISP proxy a residential proxy?
Not exactly. An ISP proxy uses an IP registered to a consumer provider but runs on servers and stays fixed; a residential proxy goes through real home devices and usually rotates.
What format do VinaProxy proxies come in?
ip:port:user:pass, over HTTP/HTTPS, with username and password authentication.
Which terms matter most for beginners?
Five: private proxy, static IP, username and password authentication, the ip:port:user:pass format, and WebRTC leaks. That is enough to buy, set up and test a proxy properly.
Know the terms? Try a real proxy
Private IPv4 in 7 countries and static ISP in Vietnam and the US. HTTP/HTTPS, username and password, fixed IPs, automatic activation.
See pricing