CometVPN Blog

VPN Guides & Tutorials

5 min read

Decentralized VPN: Explained and Compared

The internet is at risk of being merged into small clusters owned by a few individuals. So, many turn to decentralization as a remedy.

You get more privacy when one provider can't control the means of your communication, web hosting, social media access, or other services. A decentralized VPN tests this idea for a secure internet connection.

Unlike traditional centralized VPNs, there is no single entity controlling the servers. Instead, requests are routed through multiple devices. Does this approach work with VPNs, or do you risk exposing your data even more?

Guoda Šulcaitė

VPN Guides & Tutorials

4 min read

Residential Proxy vs VPN: Which Is Right for You?

Key takeaways:

  • A residential proxy provides a householdIP address to conceal your identity, whereas residential VPN does the same but it adds an additional layer of encryption to all your traffic.
  • Residential proxy can be configured to adjust its applicability and also provide better speed, but VPN is easier to use and ensures a higher level of security.
  • Residential VPN is easier to use, therefore, it is better for privacy, streaming, and public Wi-Fi protection, while residential proxy fits best for automation, scraping, and geo-targeting.
  • Choosing between a residential proxy and a VPN might seem like a headache. But it doesn’t have to be. Knowing their key differences and use cases will bring out the optimal choice for your needs.

    Although both residential proxies and VPNs help to hide your IP address which results in the ability to bypass restrictions, such as unblocking your IP or accessing geo-restricted content, they are meant to achieve slightly different goals.

    Aligning your needs with those goals is what will help you make your pick.

    Rasa Sosnovskytė

    Networking & Internet Basics

    5 min read

    What is a Residential Proxy? How It Works & Use Cases

    Key takeaways:

  • Residential proxies work by rerouting your online traffic through a residential IP address assigned to physical devices owned in different households.
  • Residential proxies provide a big pool of IP addresses, a high level of legitimacy and privacy, along with a deep anonymization of your identity.
  • There can be rotating or dedicated residential proxies and they are best used for web scraping, SEO monitoring, account management, and ad verification.
  • A residential proxy is a type of intermediary server that uses household IP addresses to mask your identity online. Unlike other similar servers that use cloud-hosted IPs, this proxy employs IP addresses that are assigned to physical devices in different residential areas by Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

    When you send a request online while using this proxy, your request comes from one of the residential IP addresses assigned to a particular device owned by an actual person.

    It seems like the request was sent from that device because your traffic is routed through a residential proxy as a middleman that uses this IP address.

    Traffic becomes significantly less susceptible to tracking or figuring out your identity, which makes your web activities not linked to your physical location or other private data.

    Guoda Šulcaitė

    Networking & Internet Basics

    5 min read

    What Is a Residential IP Address? Explained Simply

    Key takeaways:

  • A residential IP address is assigned by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to a home internet connection to a residential location and device.
  • Compared to datacenter addresses, Residential IPs excel at privacy-focused tasks, like anonymous browsing and various web automation projects.
  • Residential VPNs are easier to set up than residential proxies and encrypt your data.
  • CometVPN offers affordable, ethically sourced, global coverage, dedicated or rotating residential IPs.
  • The best online privacy measures allow you to blend in with the crowd. Residential IP addresses are some of the best options for achieving exactly that. The legitimacy of residential Internet Service Providers (ISPs), paired with superior location targeting, makes residential IPs some of the best privacy and security tools.

    Residential proxies have long been the main source for purchasing residential IP addresses, but VPNs often provide a more user-friendly experience. As with most products, it's important to understand what is residential IP address before settling for one.

    Guoda Šulcaitė

    VPN Guides & Tutorials

    6 min read

    Why Use a VPN? Essential Tips for Protecting Your Privacy

    There were 1802 total data compromises in 2022 which translates into ~422M total victims. 1774 of those compromises were data breaches that could’ve been prevented at some level.

    One of the most effective ways to enhance your online security, privacy, and accessibility is a virtual private network, better known as a VPN.

    In this article you will understand what is a VPN, why use a VPN, and how it works to protect your online privacy.

    Guoda Šulcaitė