Forward Proxy

A forward proxy represents the client side of a connection. It stands between your devices and the wider internet: when you request a resource, the proxy fetches it and passes it back, so the destination sees the proxy rather than you. This is the everyday meaning of proxy — the kind used for privacy, access control and scraping. It is the mirror image of a reverse proxy, which represents the server side and sits in front of web servers to receive incoming requests.

Traffic flows outward: client to forward proxy to destination, and back. The proxy substitutes its own exit IP for your origin IP, can enforce which sites are reachable, and may cache popular resources. Depending on how it handles headers it is transparent, anonymous or elite. Both HTTP and SOCKS5 proxies are forward proxies.

Authenticated SOCKS5 (1080) and HTTP (3128) use the configured endpoint. Proxy credentials remain required when you choose another available exit. s4m has selectable public exit configurations. Use the endpoint or profile issued for the protocol and location selected in your account. An outbound exit address does not by itself open inbound ports to your device. That requires separate supported routing and firewall configuration. Related topics: SOCKS5, HTTP, dedicated IP, reverse-proxy, proxy plans, public list.