Proxy Server

A proxy server is an intermediary computer that sits between a client and the internet. Requests go to the proxy, which forwards them to the destination and passes the responses back, so the destination sees the proxy's IP address instead of the client's.

A forward proxy acts for clients: companies and schools use one to filter websites, cache content and hide internal addresses. A reverse proxy acts for servers: it sits in front of web servers to balance load, handle SSL, cache responses and protect the servers. Nginx and HAProxy are popular reverse proxies. Unlike a VPN, a basic proxy usually does not encrypt traffic.