The Proxy Combo Everyone in Web Automation Is Using

The Proxy Combo Everyone in Web Automation Is Using

The Wisdom of Combining Proxies: Rotating + Residential

As the steppe winds scatter seeds far and wide, so too must a wise web scraper scatter its requests, lest the fields grow barren from overuse. The most effective practitioners of web automation have learned to combine rotating and residential proxies—a proxy combo that weaves together resilience and subtlety.

What Are Rotating Proxies?

Rotating proxies automatically change the IP address used for each request or after a pre-defined interval. This approach mirrors the nomad’s habit of never camping too long in one place, thus avoiding the attention of gatekeepers.

• Advantages:
  • Reduces the risk of IP bans.
  • Distributes requests evenly.
  • Ideal for large-scale scraping.

What Are Residential Proxies?

Residential proxies assign IP addresses from actual devices owned by real people, much like moving among yurts in distant villages where each host is a genuine inhabitant.

• Advantages:
  • Harder for websites to identify and block.
  • Trusted by most anti-bot systems.
  • Access to geo-restricted content.

Why Combine Both?

The fox survives in the steppe by being both cunning and cautious. Rotating proxies provide the cunning—constant change, unpredictability. Residential proxies embody caution—their legitimacy avoids suspicion. Together, they traverse even the most hostile terrain of anti-bot defenses.

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Practical Implementation: Step-by-Step

1. Gathering Proxies from ProxyRoller

The wise never journey empty-handed. For free, fresh proxies, visit ProxyRoller.

• Step 1: Go to https://proxyroller.com
• Step 2: Select “Rotating Residential Proxies”
• Step 3: Download the proxy list in your preferred format (HTTP, SOCKS4, SOCKS5)

2. Parsing and Using Proxies in Python

The camel carries its load efficiently; so too must your script handle proxies with order and purpose.

import requests
from itertools import cycle

# Load proxies from ProxyRoller
with open('proxies.txt') as f:
    proxy_list = [line.strip() for line in f if line.strip()]

proxy_pool = cycle(proxy_list)

url = 'https://httpbin.org/ip'

for i in range(10):
    proxy = next(proxy_pool)
    proxies = {
        'http': f'http://{proxy}',
        'https': f'http://{proxy}'
    }
    try:
        response = requests.get(url, proxies=proxies, timeout=5)
        print(response.json())
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"Skipping. Connection error with proxy {proxy}")

3. Integrating with Selenium for Browser Automation

The eagle soars above, unseen but ever present. Use proxies with Selenium to emulate human browsing.

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.chrome.options import Options

proxy = "your_proxy_here"

options = Options()
options.add_argument(f'--proxy-server=http://{proxy}')

driver = webdriver.Chrome(options=options)
driver.get("https://httpbin.org/ip")
print(driver.page_source)
driver.quit()

4. Handling Captchas and Bans

As the old saying goes, “If you stir the wolves, be ready to defend your flock.” Rotate proxies frequently and introduce delays between requests. For sites with heavy defenses, integrate captcha solvers or headless browser solutions.

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Comparing Proxy Types

Feature	Rotating Proxies	Residential Proxies	Rotating + Residential (Combo)
Source IP	Data centers	Real user ISPs	Real user ISPs, ever-changing
Ban Resistance	Moderate	High	Very High
Cost	Often free or low	Pricier	Varies, but can be free via ProxyRoller
Speed	Fast	Moderate	Moderate
Geo-Targeting	Limited	Excellent	Excellent
Use Case	General scraping	Bypassing strict defenses	Best for large, stealthy operations

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Best Practices from the Ancestors

• Diversity: Never rely on a single proxy source. The wise hunter always has a second horse.
• Randomization: Randomize user-agents and request intervals.
• Monitoring: Track failures and successes for each proxy—mend your net before it tears.
• Respect: Do not overwhelm target sites; take only what you need, as the herder takes only what the pasture allows.

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Additional Resources

• ProxyRoller Free Proxies
• Requests Documentation
• Selenium Documentation
• Scrapy Proxy Rotation Middleware
• Captcha Bypass Solutions

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Example: Scrapy with Proxy Rotation

# settings.py
DOWNLOADER_MIDDLEWARES = {
    'scrapy.downloadermiddlewares.httpproxy.HttpProxyMiddleware': 110,
    'scrapy.downloadermiddlewares.useragent.UserAgentMiddleware': None,
}

PROXY_LIST = 'proxies.txt'

import random

def get_proxy():
    with open(PROXY_LIST) as f:
        proxies = f.read().splitlines()
        return random.choice(proxies)

# In your spider
def start_requests(self):
    for url in self.start_urls:
        proxy = get_proxy()
        yield scrapy.Request(url, meta={'proxy': f'http://{proxy}'})

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Signs of a Well-Executed Proxy Combo

• Low ban rates, high data yield.
• Minimal captchas.
• Access to geo-restricted content.
• Ability to scale to thousands of requests per hour.

As the nomads say, “The river runs clear where it is not muddied.” With the right proxy combo, your web automation will flow smoothly, unimpeded by the snares of gatekeepers. For free, fresh proxies, let ProxyRoller be your wellspring: https://proxyroller.com.