Using VPN (Virtual Private Network) software you will be able to prevent websites or software from knowing and obtaining information about your computer, by giving the software the information of a different computer, therefore not allowing anyone to view or capture your data. This is done by installing VPN software, which then intercepts the information your computer sends to these internet-based services. The software then connects to a VPN and instead sends the web-based program the information of the VPN server such as the IP and the location of the server, and not your computer's actual information. Using a VPN service is the only definitive way of knowing that your information is secure.
A proxy, on the other hand, is software that is run on a web browser such as Google Chrome or Firefox and requires no downloading or installing therefore it is not a local program. This means that it only intercepts the information your computer is giving to the web browser, and makes the browser send false information to the sites that you visit. A proxy can only change information sent to websites visited through that web browser and cannot intercept information sent from your computer directly to any separate internet based program, such as an e-mail client.
The main difference between a VPN and a proxy is what information can be intercepted, and thus what they can secure. By installing VPN software, you can be assured that all of your personal information is secure as it will have been intercepted and encrypted prior to it being sent from your computer to any web based software. Whereas a proxy can only intercept and secure information sent to a specific web browser. This means that a proxy, whilst being less difficult to use (in that no installation is required), leaves your computer more vulnerable and open to theft of your information.
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