For someone unfamiliar with the internet and even some who are, proxy servers might sound scary and complicated. You might think proxy servers are just for hackers or people who are up to no good (and you are probably right), but your opinion might be changing soon.
In very basic terms, a proxy server is a server that allows someone browsing the web to be (semi) anonymous to the sites they are browsing by providing a different IP to the server. What is my IP has a much higher level explanation regarding proxy servers if you want to know more. They also provide a ton of tools for tracing IP address, detecting proxy servers, and a variety of other fun!
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There are 3 major reasons a normal internet user might use a proxy server:
- Bypass proxy servers are extremely useful for getting around those pesky firewalls setup by your work or school to keep you from looking at pages like Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, etc… By browsing through a proxy server you will be able to view pages that would normally be blocked.
- If you are a Craigslist regular and often sell your products there, proxy servers can help you to flag down people breaking the terms of use policies (typically spamming).
In the For Sale section of Craigslist, the average post takes 5 flags from unique IPs to get removed. By using proxy servers, you can quickly remove posts that should be taken down.
Craigslist is aware of this practice, so they do not count flags from IPs detected as proxy servers. Fortunately, not all proxy servers are known, but you might have to use a proxy server list in order to find ones that work. If your need something flagged down, please contact me, and I may be able to assist you ;) - Anonymous proxy servers are very helpful for having a truly anonymous voice on the web. Most web pages and blogs log your IP when you contribute or leave comments. Also when you e-mail someone, the header gives the recipient the ability to detect your IP address. By using anonymous proxy servers, you can greatly increase the difficulty of tracking your real identity.
Disclaimer: I do not encourage using the internet when you should be studying in class or working. This should only be used during lunch breaks or free time when it will not reduce your productivity at work or school! Also, I do not encourage using proxies for illegal activity or to badmouth/libel others. Please remember that no proxy can make you 100% anonymous on the web.
What a proxy cannot do is hide what information you look at on your own computer. The history still shows the names of the webpages you go to (although proxies will prevent your computer for being filled up with useless cookies). This means your employers and teachers can go back and see where you’ve been; don’t be dumb. Also note that most web based proxies, the type of proxy I use, have a lot of advertisements on them.
Finally, because your information goes through a third party when using a proxy server (the proxy server itself), DO NOT recommend using proxy servers for handling any personal or financial affairs including purchases, bill paying, or banking.
The best free internet proxy server list I know is Centurian Proxy Network. They publish several new web based proxy servers everyday. What’s your take on Proxy Servers?
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Yes, use proxy can risk our private data like our password.
proxy server can be used for many illegal activities.we need to be careful while using one.
.-= Zeeshan´s last blog ..Theme support for Google chrome 3 =-.
@LetUpdate – That’s why I don’t suggest using proxies for financial matters. As long as you don’t use the same password for everything, you will be okay just using proxies for Facebook or Myspace etc..
@Zeeshan – Proxy servers can absolutely be use for evil instead of good. Again, I would not encourage anyone to use them for illegal activities or financial matters. For browsing purposes, proxies are quiet safe.
I too love Free Anonymous Proxies..I use UltraSurf it’s my favorite :)
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Interesting post. Up till now I only thought of proxies as a way to engage in illegal activities (or at least gray area activities, like posting on Facebook when one should be working), but I think you really have a point on protecting privacy by browsing through proxy. But as you noted, this can be tricky, since the owner of the proxy can see everything that goes on there…
Thanks for sharing this post. I also use proxy sometimes because there are times that you need to be anonymous.
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..Manila became Water World =-.
I mainly use Proxy servers to visit websites that normally don’t open because of my ISP’s poor services!
Regarding proxy list, you should try Opera Proxy Widget. It runs only on Opera browser but has a list of about 100+ proxies. You have to type URL, choose proxy and you are automatically taken to the website using that proxy!
.-= Mr. I´s last blog ..Serendipity Is a Blogger’s Muse =-.
@ Andrea – yeah, it is important to be careful what information you send over a proxy. As you can see from the comments by Mr. I and ZXT, not all activities are illigal. Many ISPs and even some countries have major problems viewing certain sites, and proxies do an awesome job getting around that problem.
@ZXT – Proxy + Private browsing mode = about as anonymous as someone can be on the web.
@ Mr. I – I’ll have to check out Opera. I’ve seen it used some, but it is definitely a minimally used browser right now. I end up using multiple proxies for flagging on CL, and I have to get fresh ones fairly regularly in order for them to be seen a legitimate flags. Long story…
[...] noticed I was listening from a US ip and put a 14 day limit on my listening. I could hunt down a proxy server in the UK to listen through if I really wanted [...]