Potatso Review: iOS Application

Potatso is a comprehensive networking app designed for IOS devices which allows users to set up proxy servers to help manage their network in a better way. It allows users to enhance their security and make use of unrestricted networks. The app can be easily used interchangeably by both starters and network professionals The aim of this review is to provide insight into the application characteristics of Potatso alongside its applicability for solving routine challenges. Potatso has a focus on user privacy and security. Everything that goes through the proxy is encrypted and not able to be accessed by anyone willing. The application applies multiple encryption protocols including HTTPS and SOCKS5.

Core Benefits of the Potatso App

Potatso also provides support for an array of options for managing application proxy connections. The main capabilities and benefits of the application are as follows:

• Support for protocols like Shadowsocks, ShadowsocksR, HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5, and SOCKS5 over TLS all come in handy with a majority of modern proxy servers;

• Smart routing. This enhances traffic for users by enabling users to save data and allows them to gain quicker access to localized resources;

• For improved security and bypasses for blockages, there is an option of configuring DNS servers;

• User-friendly design. With simple control settings, this app is accessible for users with different levels of expertise and technical understanding;

• Efficient resource usage. The app works seamlessly with low resource consumption on the device;

• With the Smart Routing function, one can minimize costs incurred on mobile communication by optimizing the use of traffic.

Potatso is designed for the iOS operating system for users who want to protect their privacy and access geo-blocked content. The tools in the app are excellent for dealing with a wide range of network tasks due to the flexibility in settings, stable operation, and traffic optimization.

Traffic Monitoring

Potatso has some basic functions necessary for analyzing the already established proxy on the device and its working efficiency.

Let’s consider the monitoring capability of the Potatso app:

1. Visual representation of the current connection: the main screen of the interface can display the active proxy currently in use and the user can check if a proxy is in use. Most people do not like to use routers for proxy purposes they rather plug in their proxy directly, this is one primary reason why monitoring is important as it enables users to check if the proxy is working as it should.

2. Picking proxy servers: the app lists available proxy servers, this enables the tracking of what server a user is trying to connect with from the app. And changing servers leads to changing the traffic routes.

3. Smart Routing is a feature which optimizes the traffic loads by sending the internal traffic directly and the external traffic via the proxy. Potatso does not offer much traffic data but the above mentioned traffic routings are once more explained in the application which states that traffic analyzing is done previously.

The application makes it possible to monitor the functioning of other applications while Potatso is in use. This also means that if previously unavailable resources become accessible, then the proxy is functioning properly.

Types of Protocols Supported by Potatso

There are a variety of protocols with which Potatso can function, therefore it can be classified as a multi purpose handle of proxy connections on iOS. A user is able to select a protocol according to their requirements so as to ensure efficient service, secure such service and have access to certain content.

Protocols that the Potatso app supports:

1. Shadowsocks — a proxy protocol that is said to be encrypted and is able to bypass internet restrictions. The protocol employs symmetric encryption and is widely used for unlocking certain sites. Generally, Shadowsocks have a simple configuration process and good speed. In Potatso, both the original Shadowsocks and its respective plugins and extensions are available.

2. ShadowsocksR — a variation of Shadowsocks that introduced additional capabilities, including traffic obfuscation - which disguises traffic as common internet traffic making it harder for the service to be blocked or detected. When compared with Shadowsocks, SSR possesses greater optimization and customization options which may make the setting up process slightly harder. SSR is supported entirely by Potatso together with diverse obfuscation options.

3. HTTP — the leading data exchange protocol on the internet. Content filtering and website data caching are done using HTTP proxies. The Extras section of Potatso suggests that HTTP proxies can be deployed in circumvention of blockages and to enhance the usability of web pages such as use during the loading time. It must be mentioned that the privacy and security of the user of the HTTP protocol is not comparable to that of the Shadowsocks or the ShadowsocksR as traffic is not encrypted unless used through HTTPS with HTTP.

4. SOCKS5 — this is a multi-purpose proxy protocol that can facilitate different traffic types including UDP and TCP. Compared to HTTP SOCKS5 gives better confidentiality because it does not reveal the type of data which is being transferred. Potatso features SOCKS5 support which allows it to be used for many purposes such as browsing web pages, downloading files, and using other internet applications.

Users have the flexibility to select the protocol suitable to their needs and the available proxy enabled servers. Support for Shadowsocks and ShadowsocksR does assist significantly to breaking through internet censorship boundaries, the use of HTTP further enhances the efficiency of web page browsing, while the use of Shadowsocks, ShadowsocksR and SOCKS5 provides higher security and privacy level than that the of the HTTP protocol.

Data Encryption Features

Potatso uses the cryptographic protocols of the proxy servers for traffic proxying. Potatso does not rely on its own end-to-end data encryption protocols. This implies that the security of the data during the transfer over the network has a direct dependency on trustworthiness of the proxy used and its configuration. For example, with the help of Shadowsocks or ShadowsocksR, the encryption takes place at the proxy servers in proxy servers with the algorithms that were specified during the configuration settings of the servers. Potatso operates as a client by setting up a secure, encrypted session to the proxy. As far as Potatso establishes a secure connection to the proxy it does not ensure the security of the local traffic. To add some more protection at the local level the VPN can be used in combination with Potatso, but this is outside the scope of the actual Software functionality. Thus, Potatso ensures security by utilizing the existing cryptographic protocols of proxy servers, but does not implement its own end-to-end encryption.

Potatso Application Interface

The interface of Potatso is elegant, it has no excessive details but solely concentrates on the efficiency of the proxy connection management. On the home page, the program displays a connection status summary. The rest of the interface retains the ability to edit the parameters of the server and presents the proxy settings. The simplicity of the interface in terms of the absence of many visual elements and the focus on basic parameters of the connections makes Potatso user-friendly even in the absence of special knowledge with regard to network technologies.

Auto Import

Through the Potatso application, users are able to import server configurations much quicker hence opting for the auto‐import feature saves them from having to manually input the parameters.

A total of three importing options are possible:

• scanning a QR code with the proxy configuration embedded in it;

• importing options with Proxy Uniform Resource Identifier link that has all the pertinent parameters for connection;

• subscribing where the proxy for the relevant server is configured to be automatically updated upon change by the provider.

These methods greatly minimize the complexity of connecting to the configured server, especially to the users who have a large number of proxies configured or received from external services to ensure the connection is configured without extensive delays and errors.

Manual Input

Potatso enables users to add connection parameters manually from within the application. Users may fill all the required fields manually such as server IP or domain name, port numbers, protocol type, encryption type for Shadowsocks such as passwords or any other authentication data, and plugins for obfuscation purposes. Those who require precise settings, do not allow the automatic method of importing connection configurations, or have non-standard configurations are most compatible with this option of manually adding the connection parameters.

Main Page

Potatso’s application mainpage are clustered into major blocks, serving vital roles for DNS, proxy connection management and traffic reconductions settings. The active proxy server currently in use is displayed on the “PROXY” block alongside the settings of the selected proxy. The DNS section has the additional option of setting up the DNS manually or automatically, making the use of the DNS that is being brought the features to configure possible. Resources within the current area are requested to Smart Routing in an isolated direct manner, while the rest of the traffic is tunneled through the proxy server enabling quick access to local sites.

Settings

The settings menu of the Potatso app comprises of the following functions:

• Under the “Upgrade to Pro” section, users can remove all ads displayed and purchase the paid version of the app;

• While troubleshooting issues with the connection, this app contains the “Reset VPN” function that can restore the VPN markup;

• Under the “Feedback” section, a user is enabled to send his feedback to the developer in simple terms;

• Under the “About” block of the app, users can review the app on the App Store and share the app to their friends.

Step-by-Step Proxy Setup in Potatso on iOS

For users struggling to set up the proxy manually, the following steps can be followed:

1. To begin the process, first, locate and click the “Add a Proxy” button after opening the app.

   

2. An option that reads “Manual Input” needs to be selected followed by clicking on the “Add” button.

   

3. There is a string titled as “Type”, click on it and select the related connection protocol from the drop down list given.

   

4. Type in the designated fields the Port and the IP address of the proxy server.

   

5. For entering authentication details of a private proxy server, select the “Authentication” field followed by the “PASSWORD” button.

   

6. Fill in the username and password details, then press the “Save” button to store the proxy server settings.

   

7. The configured proxy will appear on the main screen of the app. To turn this on, click the button located beneath it.

   

8. Once you’ve connected, if you notice a VPN symbol appearing on the upper right corner it is an indicator that the proxy server is active.

   

The process of adding a proxy server completed. If there is a need to add other proxy servers then just follow the same steps done before and you will be done.

In essence, Potatso is highly user-friendly and very effective for regulating network traffic, especially for those who want to protect their information and bypassBlocked Websites. Even novice users will find the program useful, thanks to its user-friendly interface, intuitive navigation and the ability to customize the settings of proxy servers. Most notable features include support for mainstream proxy protocols, traffic routing and traffic monitoring. Potatso, on the other hand, has a simple design yet is powerful and easy to operate. However, the Potatso application does not collect or transmit user centric information to any other party, thus guaranteeing information security. Potatso ensures that all of its users’ information and data are safe. Instantly, the tool can be used without reservation by those who prefer to guard their privacy and security whilst on the internet.