Proxy Server vs. Packet Filtering Firewall
Proxy servers and packet filtering firewalls both help organizations block and limit access to their networks. Both provide varying levels of protection against security threats and sit between devices and networks, but there is a distinct difference between a proxy server and a packet filtering firewall.
Aproxy serveris an intermediary that acts as a gateway between a user’s device and the public internet. It works by accepting and forwarding connection requests then returning the data requested. A proxy server uses an anonymous network rather than a device’s actualInternet Protocol (IP) address, essentially hiding the user's IP address from other users. The proxy server also providescaching, which stores users’ previously searched websites to lessen the load on the server and improve latency.
Apacket filteringfirewall is a piece of software that prevents unauthorized access. Thenetwork firewallsits between two networks and implements access control policies across both. Data packets flow into networks via the firewall, which checks whether they should be granted permission. A firewall operates at the network layer of theOpen Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, which usesencryption to secure databefore it is transmitted.
There is a range of features that distinguish a proxy server from a packet filtering firewall. A key proxy server vs. packet filtering firewall differentiator is that a proxy server connects devices to servers. It enables internet users to ensure anonymity and avoid regional content restrictions, such as watching streaming services from different countries. Packet filtering firewalls , on the other hand, monitor and filter network traffic and protect users againstmalwareand other forms of malicious traffic.
Furthermore, a proxy server is often considered part of a firewall, which prevents unauthorized access and connections. The proxy is more of a mediator that establishes connections between users and networks.
Another significant difference between a proxy server and a firewall is their location. A proxy server is located at the application layer, whereas the packet filtering firewall will sit at the network layer.
