Some IP proxy providers are beginning to offer built-in IP rotation services. Although this is convenient, it is not always a useful service for those who need IP proxies.

Kofax RPA does not recommend using an IP-rotation model where the proxy provider rotates the IP at random or pre-set times, because not all web sites are able to or even allow maintaining a browser session across an IP address change.

On the open Internet, IP rotation can work just fine, because the typical browser socket connection has a very short life and the web site does not check the source IP address. Many web sites and shops implement the most basic session management. With the increase in cyber-threats and focus on security, many web sites are increasing their security level and adding IP address monitoring. It is a good practice for web servers to detect and prevent in-session IP address changes for protection against Man-in-the-Middle attacks. This is why all web banking sites and many other commercial and financial services sites with user login are implementing protection against in-session IP address changes.

As changing the IP address is likely to break the session in progress with the web-server, you cannot arbitrarily rotate IP addresses while running robots. The best way to use proxies effectively is to control the proxy from within the robot, for instance by using the Change Proxy step, or by using web services provided by the proxy service.

If the rotation is done in the robot, with consideration of the remote website, in a way the transactions are made within an IP address session, the robot should work fine.

See also:

• Change Proxy step

• Proxy Servers in Design Studio settings

• Configuring Proxy servers in Management Console