Proxies for collections

Proxies act as intermediaries between a user and the internet, hiding the actual IP address from the target system.

This increases anonymity and security during data collection, as the origin of requests is concealed. Proxies are especially useful when collecting data from social networks, as they help reduce the risk of account blocking.

Maltego Evidence does not provide its own proxy servers but allows you to integrate your own proxies. Characteristics such as stability, speed, and availability depend on the respective proxy provider.

Note:
Depending on the proxy type, using proxies may affect the duration and stability of a collection. The quality of the collection largely depends on the performance of the proxies used.

Proxies are configured centrally in Maltego Evidence and are then used during collections. They are not used independently, but always in connection with crawling profiles.

Proxy usage follows a defined model that ensures consistent and controlled behavior.

Proxies are part of crawling profiles. A crawling profile can be assigned one or more proxies. During a collection, Maltego Evidence automatically selects an available proxy.

If multiple proxies are available, selection is based on current load. If one proxy is temporarily unavailable, another proxy from the same profile is used.

If no proxies are available, another crawling profile will be used if possible, or the collection job will be terminated.

Proxies are created and managed in the settings. There, you can add new proxies as well as edit or disable existing ones.

Once configured, proxies are available for assignment to crawling profiles.

Further information about the proxy format can be found directly in the settings.

Proxy usage during a collection is primarily determined by the selected crawling profile.

If the crawling profile contains assigned proxies, they are used automatically.

A proxy selected at the collection level does not affect proxy usage if the crawling profile already has proxies assigned.

A proxy can additionally be defined as a backup proxy.

A backup proxy is used when:

• no crawling profile is selected, or
• the selected crawling profile has no proxies assigned

If a crawling profile has its own proxies assigned, the backup proxy will not be used.

• Proxy assignment is managed centrally via crawling profiles.
• Changes affect all collections using the respective crawling profile.
• For shared crawling profiles, only the profile’s access to a proxy is checked.

The owner of the crawling profile is responsible for correct proxy assignment and sharing permissions.