Proxy Basic

The proxy basics worth knowing, from what a proxy server really is to IP reputation, blacklisting, anonymity levels, ports, and the HTTP, HTTPS and SOCKS5 protocols.

What Is MTU and MSS Clamping in Proxy Connections

Small requests work, large ones hang forever? Learn MTU vs MSS, PMTUD black holes, and how MSS clamping fixes stalled proxy and tunnel connections.

SparkProxy·Aug 23, 2026Proxy Basic

The HTTP CONNECT Method Explained

The HTTP CONNECT method at wire level: authority-form request lines, 200 Connection Established, 407 and 502 debugging, and why HTTPS resists inspection.

SparkProxy·Aug 22, 2026Proxy Basic

How Proxy Caching Works: Forward Proxy Cache Explained

How proxy caching works: Cache-Control and ETag revalidation, why an HTTPS CONNECT tunnel cannot be cached, and how a stale hit corrupts scraped data.

SparkProxy·Aug 22, 2026Proxy Basic

BGP and RIR IP Allocations: Why Proxy IP Origin Matters

An RIR IP allocation says who holds a proxy IP, BGP says where it is routed. Learn to audit both with RDAP, RPKI and geofeeds before you buy proxies.

SparkProxy·Aug 21, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is a P2P Proxy Network?

A P2P proxy network routes traffic through real consumer devices that opt in to share bandwidth. See how it differs from datacenter and ISP proxies, and vet it.

SparkProxy·Aug 6, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is an Upstream Proxy? Parent Proxy Explained

An upstream proxy is a proxy that forwards traffic to another proxy. Learn how upstream and parent proxies work, Squid and mitmproxy config, and real use cases.

SparkProxy·Aug 5, 2026Proxy Basic

What Are WebRTC Leaks and How to Prevent Them

A WebRTC leak reveals your real IP through STUN and ICE candidates even behind a proxy or VPN. Learn how it happens, how to test for a leak, and how to stop it.

SparkProxy·Aug 4, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is a PAC File? Proxy Auto-Config Explained

A PAC file is a JavaScript FindProxyForURL function that tells a browser which proxy to use per URL. Learn PAC syntax, helper functions, WPAD, and security.

SparkProxy·Aug 4, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is a Datacenter ASN and Why It Matters for Proxies

A datacenter ASN is the network ID that marks an IP as hosting infrastructure, and anti-bot systems use it to flag proxies. Learn how ASN classification works.

SparkProxy·Aug 2, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is a Rotating Proxy API and How It Works

A rotating proxy API gives you one endpoint that serves a fresh IP per request or sticky sessions, so you never manage a proxy list. Here is how it works.

SparkProxy·Jul 31, 2026Proxy Basic

Proxy Error Codes Explained (407, 502, 429, and More)

Proxy error codes like 407, 403, 429, 502, and 504 each point to one specific fix. Learn what each means, how to diagnose it, and how to retry safely.

SparkProxy·Jul 29, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is a Proxy Gateway (Super Proxy)? How It Works

A proxy gateway is one endpoint that fans out to a whole IP pool and rotates it for you. Learn how a proxy gateway works, session control, auth, and setup.

SparkProxy·Jul 28, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is Proxy Chaining and When to Use It

Proxy chaining routes your traffic through two or more proxies in sequence for layered anonymity. Learn how it works, the tradeoffs, and when to use it.

SparkProxy·Jul 26, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is CGNAT and How Does It Affect Proxies?

CGNAT, or carrier-grade NAT, makes many users share one public IP. Learn how it works, why it powers hard-to-ban mobile proxies, and how to detect it yourself.

SparkProxy·Jul 25, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is a Shared Datacenter Proxy? Cost and Risks

A shared datacenter proxy splits one pool of datacenter IPs across many users. Learn how sharing works, the bad-neighbor risk, and when it's good enough.

SparkProxy·Jul 22, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is a Dedicated Datacenter Proxy?

A dedicated datacenter proxy is a datacenter IP assigned to one user. Learn how exclusivity works, its reputation and pricing benefits, and when to use one.

SparkProxy·Jul 21, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is an Exit Node in a Proxy Network?

An exit node proxy is the last hop whose IP the target site sees. Learn how exit nodes work, why exit IP quality drives block rates, and how rotation works.

SparkProxy·Jul 20, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is a Backconnect Proxy? Gateway Rotation Explained

A backconnect proxy gives you one gateway endpoint that rotates your exit IP on every request. Learn how it works, its limits, and when to use one.

SparkProxy·Jul 20, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is a Mobile Proxy? A Plain Definition

A mobile proxy routes traffic through real 4G/5G carrier IPs, so sites see a phone user, not a bot. Learn why CGNAT makes them hard to block, plus costs.

SparkProxy·Jul 19, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is a Sticky Session Proxy? A Practical Guide

A sticky session proxy keeps your requests on the same exit IP for an entire session. Learn how it works, configure session TTL, and when to use it.

SparkProxy·Jul 19, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is a Distorting Proxy? Anonymity Levels Explained

A distorting proxy hides your real IP by substituting a false one in request headers. Learn how it compares to elite proxies and when to use each level.

SparkProxy·Jul 18, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is a SOCKS Proxy? SOCKS4 vs SOCKS5 Explained

A SOCKS proxy routes any TCP or UDP traffic at the session layer, not just HTTP. Learn how SOCKS4, SOCKS4a, and SOCKS5 differ, and when to use each.

SparkProxy·Jul 17, 2026Proxy Basic

What Is an HTTP Tunnel? How HTTP CONNECT Works

An HTTP tunnel uses the CONNECT method to relay any TCP traffic through an HTTP proxy. Learn how it works, when to use it, and its security implications.

SparkProxy·Jul 17, 2026Proxy Basic

What Does Geo-Targeting Mean in Proxies? A Practical Guide

Geo-targeting in proxies means routing requests through IPs in a specific country, city, or ASN. Learn how it works, how accurate it is, and when you need it.

SparkProxy·Jul 16, 2026Proxy Basic