What is SOCKS, and How is it Used to Protect your Internet Security?
November 2nd, 2019 by admin
SOCKS stands for Secure Over Credential-Based Kerberos Services, which is also known as SOCKets and is one of the earliest network protocol systems ever used. This protocol allows users to employ client-based applications and web servers transparently using firewalls. With its potential to route packets between software through a proxy server, this is a method known by many engineers and professionals as a quick, dependable, and secure way of managing complex computer networks.
The SOCKS protocol acts like a proxy server, or a buffer between your networks and computer, providing added anonymity by generating a randomized IP address before it reaches the destination server. Often mistaken as a form of VPN, SOCKS does not encrypt traffic, which means that your data may not be safe on public or shared networks. However, there are benefits to the lack of encryption, such as speed, known to be faster than VPN.
Security has recently become an integral aspect of modern SOCKS protocol, with the level of protection depending on the version that is operated. The current version, SOCKS5, offers enhanced capabilities to protect users from attack vectors such as government surveillance, shared WI-FI, breaches, and more. Protection methods include these authentication techniques:
- Allowing no authentication needed for connecting to a proxy. This procedure is otherwise known as null authentication. Requires login with a username or password to connect to a proxy.
- Requires verification of identity through authentication methods at the operating system-level using GSS-API authentication.
Are you wondering how a SOCKS proxy can benefit your operations? Utilizing a SOCKS proxy can ensure reliable and fast internet speeds with improved performance due to its use of the UDP communications protocol. SOCKS also enables you to authorize only certain users to have access to a server.
At ATS, we offer network cybersecurity solutions with SOCKS5 protocol capabilities. Operate under a protected server and out of view from hackers. Learn more about our cybersecurity services.