Residential Proxies: The “Legal” Botnet That Nobody Talks About
Imagine hearing that over 70 million devices worldwide have been compromised by a new botnet—it would undoubtedly make headlines and cause a stir in the security community. Yet, companies like Luminati, which claims 70 million clean IPs for their proxy network, and Oxylabs, boasting 100 million, fly under the radar. These networks source their IP pools from SDKs embedded in mobile, browser, or desktop applications. Why is the security community overlooking Luminati and Oxylabs?
In this blog post, we'll delve into the world of residential proxy networks, exploring their sources and uses.
What are Residential Proxy Networks?
In the past, datacenter proxies were the primary tools for web crawlers and scrapers. These proxies allowed users to vary their geographic location and IP diversity. However, datacenter IPs are easily identifiable, and sites looking to prevent abuse or automated activities could block them with CAPTCHAs. No matter the sophistication of the technique, relying on datacenter proxies made activities detectable.
Residential proxy networks emerged from the need to appear more organic. These proxies use residential IP spaces, sourced from providers like Comcast or Verizon, enabling customers to blend their traffic seamlessly with that of real users.
How are Residential Proxy Networks Sourced?
Each proxy network employs different methods to gather IPs. The most common are SDKs and seek consent through terms of service. Here are the common strategies used:
Mobile SDKs
Browser Extensions
Desktop SDKs
While most networks seek consent from users, the extent and clarity of these notifications vary. For example, Hola VPN asks for permission to use background data immediately upon installation. However, in cases like Infatica, consent might be buried deep within the terms of service, making it difficult for users to understand the implications.
Consider whether you know if an Android app you installed has an embedded SDK. Many free VPNs contribute users to these proxy networks. For instance, the VPN app TLS Tunnel clearly states in its terms of service that users' bandwidth will be shared with SOAX.
Why Choose BlockMesh Network?
BlockMesh Network transforms the landscape by providing complete transparency and security with our extension, desktop, and mobile versions. When you download BlockMesh, you are fully informed that you are joining a proxy network. Our open-source platform allows you to review the code, ensuring no malicious actions occur.
By using BlockMesh, you can monetize your unused bandwidth with BlockMesh, preventing other applications from exploiting it without your knowledge. For example, you may have downloaded an AdBlock extension and wondered about its revenue model, or encountered other apps with unclear economic models and terms of use that misuse your bandwidth without your consent.
If you want to be part of a transformative change or start earning while others try to exploit you, join BlockMesh Network.
End the exploitation and start earning today.