A reverse proxy is a server that acts as an intermediary between users and a web service, such as a website or application. Instead of users connecting directly to the service, their requests go through the reverse proxy, which forwards them to the appropriate server. This setup helps hide the true location and identity of the web service, adds an extra layer of security, and can improve performance by distributing traffic and caching content. Reverse proxies are commonly used to protect against cyberattacks, manage load balancing, and ensure privacy for backend servers.