The Internet of Things, or IoT has, really changed the way we perceive the world around us. Situational data can be collected and processed in real-time with the help of sensors and IoT devices. At the same time, clusters of IoT devices form smart networks, and these smart networks are now used to access more data from around the world.
Smart networks in different parts of the world provide access to public data by leveraging millions of IoT devices as proxies. These proxies have fallen under the radar for too long; but the latest Proxy Market Research has revealed some interesting facts about smart networks and how open data aggregators work. If you want to find more information, Proxyway published a listing of best proxy service providers.
Smart Proxy Networks in Action
First, we have to understand how smart proxy networks are formed. IoT devices require a connection to a network, both local and wide-area, to work properly. They send data and interact with users in different ways, but they always rely on internet connectivity.
This is the foundation of residential proxy networks. When IoT devices connect directly to the internet over a local wireless or wired network, they get IP addresses and are treated as individual devices. The IPv4 crisis we face today? Yes, IoT devices are the cause of that crisis.
As millions of devices connect to the internet, there are millions of new IP addresses being recognized as unique and private. These IP addresses – and the devices behind them – are pooled to form residential proxy networks.
Residential proxy networks are what we now know as smart proxy networks. They allow redirected traffic to appear as if it comes from residential devices rather than proxy servers. They allow for better anonymity while providing access to unique parts of the internet.
Numbers Say It All
Keep in mind that the majority of smart proxy networks are actually formed legally and with the consent of IoT device users. Users agree to terms and conditions when they first activate their smart devices. Those terms include points about using the IoT device for data aggregation and other purposes.
Granted, there are proxy networks formed illegally, such as malicious botnets. But OEMs are making real efforts to strengthen the security of their IoT devices and prevent botnets from exploiting them.
Proxy providers with smart proxy networks around the world have different claims about how many devices they have inside their network. Some advertise 500,000 to 1 million proxies. Others go as high as offering 70 million proxies to their users.
Which numbers are accurate? In reality, the size of a smart proxy network varies and can change frequently. IoT devices connect and disconnect from the same network several times a day, so it is only natural that the smart proxy networks fluctuate in size, too.
What’s clear is that there are many providers on the market. Luminati, Oxylabs, and Smartproxy may be the more popular ones, but they are far from the only ones offering access to IP pools. The best ones to use are the ones offering stable connectivity and anonymity – we will get to this in a bit.
Why Use Smart Proxy Networks?
So, why use smart proxy networks at all? There are several compelling reasons, starting with the fact that anonymizing traffic is the best way to collect unbiased and contextual data. Data research programs are starting to use smart proxy networks for legitimate purposes, and it allows them to collect in-depth data from public sources without the usual limitations.
Smart proxy networks also offer better anonymity. For those who are concerned about security and privacy, routing traffic through proxies is a fantastic option to consider. On top of that, smart proxies can help bypass unnecessary restrictions that are commonly found on the internet.
For developers, smart proxies are handy for conducting tests and checking certain features. When testing geolocation features, for instance, using proxies from different parts of a country (or the world) are how you get accurate results. The sheer number of proxies available today makes smart proxy networks suitable for stress testing, as well.
The Best in the Business
At the end of the day, smart proxies are being offered as a service, and there are some notable providers to consider. Oxylabs has been at the top of that list for a while thanks to its big pool of proxies and extensive filtering options. You can fine-tune the way you use proxies to the last detail.
Smartproxy is another name to consider, especially if you want a service that is not only reliable but also affordable. Similar toOxylabs, Smartproxy boasts a huge proxy pool as one of its unique selling points.
Geosurf is the option to go for if you need reliable concurrent connections. The size of Geosurf’s proxy pool is a testament of how effective its network is and how useful having residential proxies can be in some situations.
Other names are just as interesting. Storm Proxies, for instance, optimizes their services for speed. RSocks, on the other hand, is for users who need a lot of help with their use of proxies. Each of these providers has services for everyone.
With proxy pools growing in size and quantity, expect to see more online activities being directed through smart proxies in the near future.
