Proxy applications are a convenient tool for bypassing blockades and preserving anonymity, but they are far from being a panacea. Despite their popularity, many users are faced with the fact that their favorite sites do not open, payment systems do not work, and streaming services insistently ask to “come out of the shadows”. Why does this happen? Let’s figure it out.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at what limitations of proxy applications exist, what services most often detect the presence of proxies and block access, as well as why free or browser-based solutions do not work the way we would like them to. We will pay special attention to the subtleties of working with electronic payments and media sites, which are especially sensitive to IP address changes.
What sites most often detect and block proxies?
Many modern Internet services have learned to recognize proxy traffic and put barriers. This is done for the sake of security, anti-fraud and geopolitical requirements. Here are the services that block proxies most often:
Streaming platforms (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+): easily calculate unstable or shared IP addresses and prevent you from watching content outside the allowed region. This is where the popular question – why Netflix doesn’t work via proxy – comes from.
Payment systems (PayPal, Stripe, cryptocurrency exchanges): when changing IP, they are particularly suspicious of login attempts and block the account until identity confirmation.
Social networks and marketplaces (Instagram, Facebook, Amazon): detect mass connections from a single address and may temporarily restrict access or require re-authorization.
You can also add sites with unique geotargeting to the answer to the question of which sites block proxies: for example, local news platforms or services available only in specific regions.
Limitations and disadvantages of proxy applications
Modern proxy applications help you bypass blocking and hide your location, but they do not work perfectly. Technical vulnerabilities, incompatibility with popular services and instability can hide behind the supposed anonymity. Below we will analyze the key problems with proxy applications that users experience.
Unstable connection and IP leaks
Most users note that the connection through proxy applications can “float”: sites take longer to load, the connection is dropped, and sometimes the real IP leaks out. This is especially characteristic of free solutions, where there are no guarantees of stable operation.
Problems with authorization and access to sensitive data
Often proxies do not work with banking applications, crypto exchanges and any services related to money. They really dislike suspicious connections. A proxy connection can lead to a temporary ban, mandatory two-factor verification or a full account lockout until all circumstances are clarified. Here you should understand how to recognize and deal with an IP ban.
Disadvantages of free and browser proxies
Browser extensions that promise “one-click security” often work superficially: they do not close all traffic, but only spoof the IP inside the browser. This means that any activities outside the browser (mail, messengers, payments) continue to go directly – without protection. In addition, the disadvantages of these types of proxy applications are that they are overloaded most of the time.They are also easily tracked and are often blacklisted by services.
Limitations of mobile proxies
Despite the fact that mobile proxies are considered one of the most anonymous, even they are not immune to blocking. In certain regions, mobile traffic can be unstable, ISPs change IPs too often, which causes mobile proxy limitations. Besides, buying mobile proxies with good geography and speed is not an easy task, especially for those who want a reliable connection 24/7.
Why problems with proxy applications arise
At first glance, it seems that proxy is a universal solution for confidential and secure connection. However, in practice, many people face the fact that some sites and services easily “recognize” the substitution and block access. Let’s consider what the reason for such vulnerability is and what technologies make it possible to detect a user even behind a proxy.
User-Agent and WebRTC detection
Even if a proxy masks your IP address, it doesn’t mean that the system is completely protected. Many sites analyze additional data – for example, your User-Agent (browser and device information) or behavior via WebRTC (a technology for transmitting media data directly). If this data does not match the claimed geolocation, it is suspected that a proxy blocking bypass is being used.
DNS-leaks and other vulnerabilities
Another reason why proxies are “scorched” is DNS leaks. Your request to the site may not be processed through a secure channel, but directly by your ISP. This creates a vulnerability: the site can see who you are and where you are from. Other vulnerabilities include stored cookies, local storage, and browser fingerprints, which do not change even if you change your IP.
Limitations of the applications themselves
Some applications (e.g. Discord, Zoom, mobile banking or banking clients) simply don’t support proxy, especially if you use free or browser-based solutions. Applications require a direct connection, or automatically drop the connection if tampering is suspected.
Bypassing blocking: how to achieve stable work through proxies
Even the most expensive and “smart” proxy will not give the desired result if you do not take into account the nuances of working with blocking. To bypass protection and avoid getting under filters, IP replacement alone is not enough. It is important to act comprehensively – use the right tools, choose a strategy and mask not only the address, but also the behavior in the network.
Anti-detection browsers and IP rotation
To work anonymously and safely on the Internet, antidetect browsers – special solutions that mask not only the IP, but also the digital “fingerprint” of the user – are increasingly used. In conjunction with IP address rotation, this gives high stability when bypassing blocking. Especially relevant for targeted advertising, data parsing and work in sensitive systems.
Using mobile proxies
Let’s consider what a mobile proxy is: principle of operation, advantages. Mobile proxies are proxying through IP addresses allocated by cellular operators. Their main advantage is a high degree of trust on the part of sites: a mobile IP is less likely to be blocked, because the system considers that it is an ordinary user from a smartphone. This approach is suitable for working with social networks, automation and even entry to banking, if the proxy is stable. The main thing is to correctly buy a mobile proxy with the right geolocation and ensure IP updates.
How to check if a proxy works and if it is not spoiled
Before using a proxy in a responsible task, check its anonymity:
- Go to sites like whoer.net or ipleak.net.
- Compare IP, DNS and geolocation: if they diverge, there’s a leak.
- Check for WebRTC leaks.
- Test the site in “incognito mode” and through different browsers.
If the site still doesn’t work, it may detect activity by other parameters (cookies, fingerprint), or the IP has been banned. You can find out by comparing access from another device and another connection.
Conclusion: What to consider when choosing a proxy application
The choice of proxy application depends on your tasks. For viewing content and bypassing local restrictions, a simple solution will do. But if you work with personal data or automation, you need a more serious approach, for example, proxies for electronic payments or similar services.
Why you can’t use popular proxy and VPN services for work – they are often overloaded, easily recognized and poorly protected. It is better to use mobile proxies or anti-detection solutions with proper setup (including – proxy setup on iPhone or Android).
If you don’t want the site to calculate your location, your payment to hang and your account to be banned, you will have to study the topic a little deeper. And choose not just a “proxy application”, but a working tool with an understanding of the principles of its operation.
