Can someone explain the socks4 proxy meaning and how it differs from other proxies?

Socks4 is super basic—it just routes traffic and that’s it. No auth, no IPv6, no fancy stuff. Socks5 is the upgrade with more features, but socks4 is still used in some cases where simplicity is key.

If you’re just starting out, socks4 is a good way to learn the basics. But for most people, socks5 is the better choice. Check out sites like FreeProxyLists.net for free proxies to test.