Proxy types · glossary

Proxy anonymity levels

Proxy anonymity levels describe what a proxy tells the destination about the client. A transparent proxy forwards the client's real IP in headers such as X-Forwarded-For; an anonymous proxy hides the real IP but announces itself through headers such as Via; an elite (high-anonymity) proxy adds no proxy headers at all, so the request looks like it came directly from the exit address. Commercial proxies meant for privacy or data collection are elite by design.

1 min read Also called transparent proxy, anonymous proxy, elite proxy, high-anonymity proxy Updated

Protocols All terms

The headers that give a proxy away#

HeaderWhat it leaksLevel that sends it
X-Forwarded-ForThe client's real IP addressTransparent
ViaThat a proxy is in the path, sometimes its softwareTransparent, anonymous
X-Proxy-ID, ForwardedProxy identity or the original clientTransparent, anonymous
noneNothingElite

How to check#

Request a header-echo service through the proxy and inspect the response. Any header naming a proxy or an address that is not the exit means the level is not elite. Do it for HTTP as well as HTTPS: with HTTPS the proxy cannot add headers inside the encrypted request, so plain HTTP is where leaks show.

How it works at ProxShift#

ProxShift gateways and dedicated addresses are elite: they strip incoming proxy headers, add none of their own and never terminate TLS.

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