SOCKS facts for kids

SOCKS is a special set of rules, called an Internet protocol, that helps computers talk to each other on the internet. Think of it like a helpful middleman, called a proxy server, that sends your internet requests from your computer (the client) to where they need to go (the server) and back again.

SOCKS5 is a newer version of this protocol. It can even check if you're allowed to use the server (this is called authentication), making things more secure. SOCKS is often used to help different types of internet traffic, like web browsing or online games, get through to their destination. It usually uses a specific "door" or port number, which is 1080.

What is a SOCKS Proxy?

A SOCKS proxy acts like a go-between for your computer and the internet. Instead of your computer connecting directly to a website or online game, it connects to the SOCKS proxy first. The proxy then sends your request to the internet and sends the answer back to you. This can be useful for many reasons, like keeping your location private or accessing content that might be blocked in your area.

How SOCKS Helps You Online

SOCKS is a very flexible tool because it works at a basic level of internet communication. This means it can help with almost any kind of internet traffic, whether you're browsing websites, playing games, or using other apps.

• Bypassing Blocks: SOCKS can help you get around internet filters. For example, if a website is blocked at your school, workplace, or even in your country, a SOCKS proxy might help you reach it.
• Privacy and Security: Some programs use SOCKS to help keep your online activity more private. For instance, the Tor network uses a SOCKS connection to hide your internet traffic.
• Accessing Private Networks: SOCKS can also be used to connect to a "local" network, similar to how a virtual private network (VPN) works. This can be helpful for connecting to resources that are only available within a specific network.

Who Created SOCKS?

The original SOCKS protocol was created by David Koblas at a company called MIPS Computer Systems. He shared his work publicly in 1992. Later, a person named Ying-Da Lee from NEC extended the protocol to version 4. The SOCKS5 version, which added more security and features, was approved in 1996 by a group called the IETF.

How SOCKS Works (A Simple Look)

SOCKS works by following a set of steps to connect your computer to a server through the proxy. It's like a secret handshake between your computer, the SOCKS proxy, and the final server.

SOCKS4: The Basics

SOCKS4 is an older version. When your computer wants to connect to something, it sends a small message to the SOCKS proxy. This message includes:

• The SOCKS version (which is 4).
• What you want to do (like connect to a website).
• The address and port number of the website you want to reach.
• Your user ID (like a username).

The SOCKS proxy then checks this message and sends a reply back to your computer, saying if the connection was successful or not.

SOCKS4a: Handling Website Names

SOCKS4a is an improvement on SOCKS4. Sometimes your computer might not know the exact numerical address (IP address) of a website, only its name (like example.com). SOCKS4a allows your computer to send the website's name to the proxy, and the proxy will figure out the numerical address for you.

SOCKS5: More Features and Security

SOCKS5 is the newest and most common version. It's much more powerful than SOCKS4 because it offers:

• Better Security: SOCKS5 can use different ways to check your identity (authentication), like a username and password, so only authorized users can connect.
• More Addresses: It supports newer internet addresses called IPv6, which are becoming more common.
• Different Types of Traffic: SOCKS5 can handle not only TCP connections (like for websites) but also UDP connections (often used for things like online gaming or video streaming).

The process for SOCKS5 is a bit more involved: 1. Your computer first says hello to the SOCKS proxy and tells it what security methods it can use. 2. The proxy chooses a security method. 3. If needed, you might log in with a username and password. 4. Finally, your computer sends its request to connect, similar to SOCKS4, but with more options. 5. The proxy sends a response back, letting you know if the connection was successful.

Programs That Use SOCKS

Many different programs and tools use SOCKS to help with internet connections.

SOCKS Proxy Servers

These are programs that run on a computer and act as the SOCKS middleman:

• Sun Java System Web Proxy Server: A server that helps manage web traffic.
• WinGate: A proxy server for Windows that supports different SOCKS versions.
• Dante: A SOCKS server that helps provide secure network connections.
• HevSocks5Server: A fast SOCKS server for Unix-like systems.

Other Programs with SOCKS Features

Some programs include SOCKS capabilities to help you connect:

• OpenSSH and PuTTY: These tools, often used for secure remote access, can create SOCKS connections.
• Tor: The Tor browser uses SOCKS to route your internet traffic through its network for anonymity.
• Shadowsocks: A tool designed to help bypass internet censorship, which uses a SOCKS5 interface.

Client Software (What You Use)

For your computer to use a SOCKS proxy, the software you're using (like your web browser) needs to support it.

Web Browsers

• Chrome and Firefox: These popular browsers support SOCKS4, SOCKS4a, and SOCKS5.
• Internet Explorer and older Microsoft Edge: These only support SOCKS4.
• Newer Chromium-based Microsoft Edge: Supports SOCKS4, SOCKS4a, and SOCKS5.

Socksifiers

These are special programs that can make almost any application on your computer use a SOCKS proxy, even if the application doesn't have built-in SOCKS support. They trick the application into sending its traffic through the proxy.

• Win2Socks: Helps Windows applications use SOCKS5.
• tun2socks: An open-source tool that creates a virtual network connection through a SOCKS proxy.
• proxychains: A Unix program that forces other programs to use SOCKS proxies.

Translating Proxies

These proxies can change one type of proxy connection into another. For example, they can take a SOCKS connection and turn it into an HTTP proxy connection.

• Privoxy: A proxy that can convert SOCKS connections into HTTP connections.
• Tinyproxy: A small HTTP/HTTPS proxy that can connect to SOCKS proxies.

Security Concerns

While SOCKS proxies can help with privacy, they don't usually encrypt (scramble) your internet traffic by themselves. This means that someone trying to spy on your connection might still be able to see what you're doing or find out your computer's real internet address. This is why it's often recommended to use SOCKS with other security tools, like a VPN or encryption, for better protection.

See also

In Spanish: SOCKS para niños