cURL, short for Client URL, is a versatile command-line tool used to transfer data across a variety of network protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and others. It is favored for its ability to handle a wide range of tasks such as user authentication, HTTP posts, and proxy support, making it a preferred choice among developers for complex operations. cURL is often installed by default on many platforms, enhancing its accessibility and popularity. It supports tasks like downloading and uploading of files, with options to specify URL actions and protocols. Furthermore, cURL's functionality can be extended to web scraping, allowing users to automate data collection processes, though this can be time-consuming without additional tools like Bright Data. The tool also facilitates changing the User-Agent to emulate different browsers, and its compatibility with various proxy types aids in managing data requests from multiple geolocations.