HTTP, HTTPS and SOCKS are internet protocols that allow your proxies to connect (to the website or server you define.) All secure websites use the HTTPS protocol by default, like this website. Some websites just use HTTP, which are considered insecure.
SOCKS is an equivalent protocol, which is different in some ways. One example is that SOCKS does not send HTTP/HTTPS headers that contain information about the proxy IP.
Choosing a proxy protocol to use
It’s important to note that if you’re using third-party software, the protocol may be selected automatically as you use the proxies. If you’re using a command-line utility, the protocol will likely need to be defined. With cURL, for example, “-x” is a recommended parameter for the HTTP/HTTPS protocol.
First, analyze the URL you are connecting to. If it starts with “http://” you’re connecting using the HTTP protocol. If the URL begins with “https://“, you’re connecting using the secure HTTPS protocol.
If you’re unsure about which protocol is required for your software, be sure to consult your applications documentation or developer for the most accurate information.
RotatingProxies’ proxies currently support the following protocols:
- HTTP
- HTTPS