It is possible to use the Internet in many protocols, but you need to learn how secure, how fast and how stable these protocols are. While SOCKS proxies have the advantage of being faster than HTTP, they do not provide absolute security because they do not transmit and control the data directly. In this article, we will explain SOCKS4, SOCKS5 and SOCKS communication protocol in general.
What is SOCKS?
A SOCKS proxy is a type of server that acts as an intermediary when exchanging data over the Internet. It acts as a bridge between the client and the target server and passes the content accessed by the client over the internet through the SOCKS proxy before providing direct access to the target server. This method increases anonymity by hiding the client’s real IP address and at the same time makes it possible to bypass network restrictions such as firewalls or filters.
SOCKS proxies do not process data packets at the application layer, i.e. they do not examine or modify the data. Instead, it only transfers data from one point to another using TCP or UDP protocols. Thanks to these features, SOCKS proxies are often preferred as a suitable solution for applications that work with different protocols.
There are two main versions: SOCKS4 and SOCKS5. SOCKS5 builds on SOCKS4 with several improvements, providing additional features such as user authentication and broader protocol support.
What is the old protocol SOCKS4?
SOCKS4 is a proxy protocol used to route network traffic on the internet. This protocol allows users to hide their real IP address when connecting to various servers or services on the internet. SOCKS4 preceded its more advanced version, SOCKS5, and was designed to meet basic internet traffic needs. Here are some basic information about SOCKS4:
Key Features:
- TCP Connections: SOCKS4 only supports the TCP protocol, making it suitable for accessing web pages, sending e-mail and other TCP-based operations with receiving servers.
- Supports IPv4: SOCKS4 proxies support only the IPv4 ip type, compared to 5.
- IP Address Hiding: Allows users to browse the internet anonymously. The real IP addresses of the users are replaced by the IP address of the SOCKS4 proxy server.
- Simple Structure: SOCKS4 does not offer extra features such as user authentication, making it relatively simple to install and use.
- DNS Resolution: SOCKS4 does not support DNS resolution, which means that the client must know in advance the IP address of the server to which it wants to connect. The client is obliged to resolve the IP address of the destination before the connection is established. SOCKS4 was generally used in games in the past, but since DNS servers are now used in the developing game industry, the use of SOCKS4 has become very difficult, we can say that there are almost no games using SOCKS4. People who prefer proxy for games usually use SOCKS5 proxy.
Usage Scenarios:
- Overcoming Network Restrictions: In environments with restricted Internet access, users can use the SOCKS4 proxy to bypass these restrictions and access blocked content.
- Ensuring Privacy: Users can use SOCKS4 proxy to hide their activities on the Internet from third parties.
Although SOCKS4 is an older technology, it is still preferable in some situations as it provides a simple and effective method. However, those looking for a more secure and flexible solution often turn to the SOCKS5 proxy.
What is SOCKS5 proxy?
SOCKS5, like SOCKS4, is a proxy protocol for routing internet traffic. Following on from SOCKS4, this version offers more features and flexibility, better adapting to modern internet needs. SOCKS5 can be used for a wide range of applications, supporting both TCP and UDP protocols. Here are some important information about the SOCKS5 proxy:
Key Features:
- Protocol Support: SOCKS5 supports TCP and UDP protocols, making it suitable for various Internet applications such as web traffic, email, file transfers, VoIP and video streaming.
- User Authentication: Provides optional user authentication so that only authorized users can send internet traffic through the proxy. This feature increases the level of security.
- IPv6 Support: Supports both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, making SOCKS5 compatible with modern network structures.
- Advanced DNS Resolution: SOCKS5 allows DNS querying through the proxy server, so users only need to know the domain name of the target, not the IP address.
Advantages
- Enhanced Security: User authentication and better protocol support make SOCKS5 superior to SOCKS4 in terms of security.
- Better Performance: UDP support makes it ideal for applications requiring low latency.
- Flexibility: Compatibility with various network configurations and applications makes SOCKS5 a versatile solution.
SOCKS5 offers a more secure and flexible proxy solution for modern internet usage. However, the installation and management process can be more complex, so it may require technical knowledge. Users can choose this type of proxy according to their security and anonymity needs.
What are the differences between SOCKS4 and SOCKS5?
SOCKS4 and SOCKS5 are types of proxy servers for exchanging data over the internet and there are some important differences between them. Here are the main differences between these two versions:
Authentication:
- SOCKS4: Does not support user authentication. It is therefore considered weaker in terms of security.
- SOCKS5: Offers optional user authentication. This ensures that traffic passing through the proxy is more secure against unauthorized access.
IPv6 Support:
- SOCKS4: Supports IPv4 addresses only.
- SOCKS5: Supports both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. This offers compatibility with more modern network structures.
DNS Support:
- SOCKS4: Performs DNS resolution on the client side, i.e. the client has to know the IP address of the server it wants to connect to.
- SOCKS5: Can perform DNS resolution on the proxy server. This means that the client only needs to know the domain name of the destination, which makes network traffic more anonymous.
Supported protocols:
- SOCKS4: Only supports the TCP protocol, so it is used for TCP-based applications.
- SOCKS5: Supports both TCP and UDP protocols. This makes it suitable for applications such as email, FTP transfers, VoIP, as well as UDP-based applications such as video streaming and games.
In terms of performance, SOCKS5 offers an overall more secure and performant solution thanks to its advanced features and flexibility, while SOCKS4 represents more limited and older technology. As mentioned above, SOCKS4 is almost no longer used by anyone. Few people use SOCKS4 because it is insecure and does not support most new technologies.
All our proxy services generally support the SOCKS protocol. The SOCKS protocol is generally preferred for proxies used in the gaming industry, but it is also frequently used in sectors such as program-based data scraping, finance, and search engine optimization. SOCKS5 supporting You can find information about our proxy services by clicking here, and you can also click here to determine the right proxy type and protocol for your intended use. you can always contact one of our sales representatives.
