What’s SOCKS5 and How Do You Use It? (Video Summary Included)

Proxy servers can exist in various forms. SOCKS5 proxies are the most modern example. But what’s SOCKS5, and how do you use it? This piece goes over the technology behind this proxy type and the various applications for which it’s suitable.

Recently, proxy servers have become some of the most widely used tools in computer networking. That’s because they assist millions of users in anonymously connecting their local networks to a larger one, like the internet.

Furthermore, a typical proxy has ports that you can use to intercept client/server connections. Data comes in through one of the ports and gets rerouted through another in a process called traffic/IP forwarding. These days, you can also use proxies for caching and encryption purposes. 

What’s a SOCKS Proxy?

SOCKS stands for Socket Secure. It’s a network protocol that transmits communication data to a server in place of a client computer. 

By intercepting and forwarding network traffic on behalf of the client, SOCKS proxies can get past any server firewalls. They do that by setting up a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) behind the firewall to which the client computer can send its UDP (User Datagram Protocol) session. 

SOCKS has the design to forward and route all data types and protocols. We have two SOCKS versions: SOCKS4 and SOCKS5. Below are some of the main differences between both proxy versions:

Authentication

SOCKS4 and SOCKS5 handle authentication differently. The former doesn’t support it entirely, while SOCKS5 has a series of authentication methods it can initiate.

UDP Support

Clients may need to send their UDP (User Datagram Protocol) sessions to a server. UDP proxies can be useful if the server does not authorize a direct transmission. But the SOCKS4 proxy version doesn’t support UDP, while SOCKS5 supports it.

Channel Security 

SOCKS5 is comparatively better at establishing secure channels than SOCKS4. That’s because the former initiates an authorized TCP connection for its traffic relays. SOCKS5 may sometimes also utilize SSH (Secure Shell) encryption to set up an encrypted tunneling channel.

Also read: Top 5 Best SOCKS5 Proxies

How Do You Use SOCKS5?

For all that this proxy has to offer, it still has to work in a practical situation. These days, network security personnel often implement SOCKS5 proxies within their resource environment. But how does the proxy version work in such cases? More importantly, how can you set about using SOCKS5 yourself? Consider the following steps:

SOCKS5 Connection Setup 

The first thing you’d want to do with a SOCKS5 proxy in an IT environment is to establish a proxy connection. The admin first confirms if the client application supports the SOCKS5 protocol. Then, they’d run a SOCKS5 proxy server syntax on the local computer to authenticate the cluster’s Edge node.

If the client computer runs on Linux, the syntax will look like this:

$ ssh -D 30001 root@EdgeNodeSSHserverIP -C -f -N (password: xyz;

or 

$ ssh -i /path/to/private_key -D 30001 root@EdgeNodeSSHserverIP -C -f –N

Both commands initiate a SOCKS5 server creation on port 30001 on the user computer, then make the connection with the gateway node over the cloud-hosted gateway SSH tunnel. 

Endpoint Access 

You can use a SOCKS5 proxy to access backend services within a cluster once the connection is there. Typically, a cURL (command-line URL) command will suffice to request access, provided it supports the SOCKS5 protocol. Any other method—through a web browser, for example—will require special configurations.

Below is an example of a cURL access call for HTTP app endpoints on a port behind a firewall:

curl -x socks5h://localhost:30001 -v -k -X GET https://EdgeNodeSSHserverIP:8000

This command will push an HTTP GET request through the SSL tunnel and server on a localhost port 30001. The request gets passed around until a remote SSH server response is sent to the SOCKS5 proxy.

Afterward, you can test backend service connections using a utility. For instance,

ncat –proxy 127.0.0.1:30001 –proxy-type socks5 EdgeNodeSSHserverIP 8443 –nv

is a SOCKS5 TCP connection test carried out on the netcat utility for backend services on port 8443.

Also read: Exploring the Advanced Capabilities of SOCKS5 Proxies

Benefits of SOCKS5

Thanks to the SSH tunneling support that SOCKS5 proxies have, they’re much more versatile than their SOCKS4 counterparts. As such, here are some benefits of using it on a network.

Safer Backend Service Access

Sometimes, a server admin can host their backend resources on the cloud, behind a firewall. They’d do that to prevent security breaches and other vulnerabilities. However, this technique makes access difficult for a third party.

In such a case, the admin can grant the backend services public access, which affects the security. They can also whitelist the individual IP address from which the access request comes, but that wouldn’t work when the client’s IP keeps changing.

SOCKS5 provides an excellent alternative to these flawed options. You can use a SOCKS5 proxy to access backend services in a hosted cluster without exposing their ports or resorting to IP whitelisting. 

Backend service access behind a firewall may be necessary for several reasons: server administrators need it to debug and monitor network traffic from a public node. In the real world, people use SOCKS5 in a private or shared proxy arrangement to access APIs and UI instances stored in a Hadoop cluster, for example. Doing things any other way will leave a node in the cluster exposed.

Quicker Setup

SOCKS5 is also quite suitable when you need to access an edge node or cluster gateway without an added setup process. As a direct benefit, you won’t need a VPN (Virtual Private Network) when calling for access to backend resources behind a paywall.

Better Performance

SOCKS5 doesn’t have to rewrite its data packets like other application proxy versions. That means a lower likelihood of transmission errors, like you’re bound to get with free proxies based on HTTP. Hence, you’ll have better performance overall.

Also rea: Five Reasons to Never Use Free Proxies for Web Scraping

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is HTTP and SOCKS5 proxy?

HTTP and SOCKS5 proxies are both types of proxies used to route your internet traffic through another server, but they work differently based on the protocols they support.

HTTP proxies are designed specifically for handling HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) requests, which are typically used for web browsing. These proxies only work with HTTP and HTTPS traffic and are perfect for accessing websites. When you use an HTTP proxy, it routes your web requests to the target server and then sends the response back to you. This type of proxy is great for basic web browsing but doesn’t handle other types of internet traffic.

On the other hand, a SOCKS5 proxy is more versatile. It operates at a lower level of the Internet Protocol stack, meaning it can handle any type of traffic, including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and more. A SOCKS5 proxy works by simply forwarding the traffic from your device to the target server without caring about the specific protocol being used. This makes SOCKS5 useful for more complex tasks like gaming, streaming, or P2P sharing.

In summary:

• HTTP proxies are best for browsing websites.
• SOCKS5 proxies are more flexible, handling a wider range of traffic types.

Q2. What is the SOCKS5 proxy protocol?

The SOCKS5 proxy protocol is a versatile internet protocol that allows your traffic to be routed through a proxy server before reaching its destination. Unlike other proxies designed for specific types of traffic, SOCKS5 can handle a wide range of traffic, including web browsing, FTP, P2P, and even UDP-based applications.

One of the key advantages of SOCKS5 is that it supports various types of traffic, not just HTTP like typical web proxies. This makes it a go-to choice for users who need more flexibility, such as gamers, streaming enthusiasts, or those involved in more advanced network activities.

In simple terms, when you set up a SOCKS5 proxy, your data is forwarded to the proxy server, which then sends it to the final destination. This helps mask your original IP address and can also help bypass geo-restrictions or network firewalls. Whether you’re just doing some web browsing or engaging in more complex tasks, SOCKS5 provides a robust solution for secure and flexible internet use.

Q3. What is SOCKS5 authentication?

SOCKS5 authentication refers to the process that ensures only authorized users can access the SOCKS5 proxy. It offers different authentication methods to validate users before routing their data packets through the proxy.

There are typically two main authentication methods:

1. No Authentication Required: This is often found in free proxies, where anyone can connect without credentials. While convenient, it’s less secure and often slower due to heavy use.
2. Username and Password Authentication: This is a more secure method where users must provide valid credentials to access the proxy. It ensures that only authorized individuals can use the proxy, adding a layer of protection to your data and connection.

By employing these authentication methods, SOCKS5 guarantees that the proxy remains inaccessible to anyone on the internet, rendering it a favored option for individuals seeking a balance between security and functionality in their proxy configuration.

Also read: Shared Proxies and Their Benefits

Wrapping Up

So, what’s SOCKS5, and how do you use it? SOCKS5 proxies are a modern and versatile proxy version you can find today. They operate at layer 5 of the OSI model and utilize an SSH tunneling method. A SOCKS5 proxy is the best option to access HTTP or FTP services behind a firewall. 

Now you know what’s SOCKS5. Learn here more about how to choose the best SOCKS5 proxies.