What does a SOCKS proxy not provide compared to a caching HTTP proxy server?

A SOCKS proxy differs significantly from a caching HTTP proxy server primarily in its functionality and capabilities. The key characteristic that sets caching HTTP proxies apart is their ability to store and serve cached content, which enhances efficiency by reducing repeated requests for the same data from servers. This specialized caching ability helps minimize latency and bandwidth usage, as frequently accessed resources can be retrieved directly from the cache.

On the other hand, while SOCKS proxies are versatile tools capable of routing different types of traffic (including TCP and UDP) and facilitating communication through firewalls, they do not inherently include caching capabilities. Their primary function is to relay traffic rather than store and quickly deliver cached responses. Hence, when it comes to caching abilities, SOCKS proxies do not provide the same functionality compared to caching HTTP proxies, making this the correct distinction.

Other features like encryption of connections, firewall protection, and data compression can be found in various proxy implementations, but they do not capture the unique caching functionality that a caching HTTP proxy offers.