A reverse proxy is a type of proxy server that retrieves resources on behalf of a client from one or more servers. These resources are then returned to the client, appearing as if they originated from the reverse proxy server itself. It sits in front of web servers and forwards client requests to them, managing the flow of traffic and often providing additional services.

Reverse proxies offer several critical benefits for web applications and services. They can improve security by hiding the origin servers' identities, provide load balancing to distribute traffic efficiently across multiple servers, enhance performance through caching, and simplify SSL encryption management. They are essential components in modern web architecture for improving resilience, scalability, and security of online services.

• What is a Reverse Proxy?