Transparent Proxies
Transparent proxies forward your request with headers that reveal your real IP address. The target website knows you're using a proxy and can see your real IP. They're used by organizations for content filtering and caching, not for privacy.
Anonymous Proxies
Anonymous proxies hide your real IP but reveal that you're using a proxy. They send headers like "Via" or "X-Forwarded-For" that indicate proxy use. The target knows a proxy is involved but not who you are.
Elite (High Anonymity) Proxies
Elite proxies hide both your real IP AND the fact that you're using a proxy. They remove proxy-related headers and may randomize the User-Agent. The target sees a normal request with no indication of proxy use.
How to Check Your Anonymity Level
Use the HTTP Headers Checker tool after connecting to a proxy. Look for headers like X-Forwarded-For, Via, and X-Real-IP. If these are absent and your IP looks normal, you have high anonymity. If they're present, the proxy reveals some information.
Which Level Do You Need?
For casual browsing: anonymous is fine. For scraping or research: anonymous works. For high-privacy needs: use elite proxies. For maximum privacy: combine elite proxy with VPN and Tor. Transparent proxies offer no privacy benefit.