VPN and proxy glossary
Clear, honest definitions of the VPN and proxy terms you will meet across s4m and the wider industry. Bookmark this page as a quick reference while you set up a tunnel or route traffic through a proxy.
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Every term with its own in-depth page — browse the full list page by page.
GeoIP
GeoIP maps an IP address to an approximate physical location. Learn how accurate it is, why sites use it, and how a proxy changes your apparent country.
Read →HTTP CONNECT
HTTP CONNECT is the method that lets an HTTP proxy tunnel encrypted HTTPS traffic. Learn how it works and how s4m's HTTP proxy uses it on port 3128.
Read →HTTP Proxy
An HTTP proxy relays web traffic and can tunnel HTTPS with the CONNECT method. Learn how it works and how s4m runs an HTTP proxy on port 3128.
Read →HTTP/2
HTTP/2 speeds up the web by multiplexing many requests over one connection. Learn what it improves over HTTP/1.1 and how it affects fingerprinting.
Read →HTTP/3
HTTP/3 runs HTTP over QUIC and UDP to eliminate head-of-line blocking. Learn what it improves and why some HTTP proxies cannot carry it at all.
Read →HTTPS Proxy
An HTTPS proxy encrypts the connection between you and the proxy itself, adding privacy on untrusted networks. Learn how it differs from an HTTP proxy.
Read →IKEv2
IKEv2 is a fast VPN protocol paired with IPsec, prized for reconnecting quickly on mobile. Learn how it compares to the WireGuard and OpenVPN s4m offers.
Read →IP Reputation
IP reputation is a score sites assign an address based on its history and network. Learn what raises or lowers it and how a dedicated IP helps.
Read →IP Whitelisting
IP whitelisting restricts a service so only approved addresses can connect. Learn how it pairs with a dedicated IP for proxy access and security.
Read →IPv6 Leak
An IPv6 leak exposes your real address when IPv6 traffic bypasses an IPv4-only tunnel. Learn how it happens and how to prevent the exposure.
Read →ISP Proxy
An ISP proxy combines a residential ISP identity with datacenter hosting for speed. Learn how it works and how it differs from s4m's datacenter proxies.
Read →JA3 Fingerprint
JA3 is a widely used method of fingerprinting TLS clients from their ClientHello. Learn how the hash is built and why servers match it against clients.
Read →JA4 Fingerprint
JA4 is a modern, more robust successor to JA3 for fingerprinting TLS clients. Learn what it improves and why anti-bot systems are adopting it.
Read →Jitter
Jitter is the variation in packet delay over time, which hurts calls and streaming. Learn what causes it and how routing through a hop affects it.
Read →Kill Switch
A VPN kill switch restricts traffic outside the tunnel. Its scope depends on the client and policy; check DNS, IPv6 and failure behaviour.
Read →Latency
Latency is the round-trip delay between your device and a server, measured in milliseconds. See what causes it and how a proxy or VPN changes it.
Read →MTProto
MTProto is Telegram's own protocol, whose proxy mode helps users reach Telegram where it is blocked. Learn what it is and how it relates to s4m.
Read →MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit)
MTU is the largest packet size a link can carry, and getting it wrong causes fragmentation and slowdowns. Learn how it affects VPN tunnels like WireGuard.
Read →Mobile Proxy
A mobile proxy routes traffic through a cellular carrier IP, which sites rarely block because of CGNAT. Learn its trade-offs versus s4m's datacenter proxies.
Read →NAT (Network Address Translation)
NAT lets many devices share one public IP by rewriting addresses at the router. Learn how it works and how it hides your internal network.
Read →No-Logs Policy
A no-logs policy defines the scope of activity-data retention. Learn how it differs from account records and RAM-only infrastructure.
Read →Obfuscation
Obfuscation aims to make VPN or proxy traffic harder to identify. Learn how it differs from encryption and why TCP port 443 alone is not a disguise.
Read →OpenVPN
OpenVPN is a mature, highly configurable VPN protocol that can run over TCP or UDP. Learn its strengths and how s4m offers it alongside WireGuard.
Read →Origin IP
Your origin IP is your device's real public address, the one a VPN or proxy hides. Learn why protecting it matters and how leaks can expose it.
Read →Ready to hide your IP?
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