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Proxy Authentication

What Is Proxy Authentication?

Proxy authentication is the method a proxy service uses to verify your identity and grant access. Without authentication, anyone could use the proxy, which would degrade performance and create security issues. The two most common methods are username:password credentials and IP whitelisting.

How Proxy Authentication Works

With username:password authentication, you include your credentials in the proxy connection string. Your application sends them to the gateway, which validates them and allows traffic to flow. This method works from any location and is the most flexible option. Many providers also encode configuration options into the username, like country targeting or session type.

IP whitelisting takes a different approach. You register your server's IP address with the proxy provider. Any connection from that IP gets through without credentials. This is simpler to configure but only works from pre-registered IPs, which can be limiting if you work from multiple locations or use dynamic cloud servers.

Why Proxy Authentication Matters

Authentication protects your proxy access and controls how your traffic is routed. ScaleProxy supports both username:password and IP whitelist authentication. The username format also lets you set rotation type, target country, and session parameters, all without touching a dashboard. Your credentials are your configuration.

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