| There are several benefits of using a web proxy | | | | You can use a free proxy to filter certain sites and |
| server, particularly if your own server is unable to | | | | prevent your children from accessing them. Since not |
| access your choice of URL. There can be a number | | | | all proxies can do this, you have to make sure that you |
| of reasons for this, although you are advised to keep | | | | are using one that will carry out this type of filtration. |
| clear of using proxy servers to bypass blocks placed | | | | In some countries, such as the United Arab Emirates |
| on your IP address. There are many perfectly | | | | (UAE), all users must use a proxy server. Every |
| respectable reasons for using a proxy server, although | | | | transaction carried out or website visited must be |
| let's first check out how they work. | | | | done through the proxy so that 'unsuitable' sites can be |
| Let's say that you are server A trying to access | | | | filtered out and access blocked. The Chinese also do |
| information on server B. In other words, you are using | | | | this, and although you can remain anonymous to the |
| computer A and want to connect to computer B. For | | | | website you are connecting to, you are not so to the |
| some reason, you may not be able to do that, or might | | | | proxy. |
| not want your details made known to those operating | | | | A web proxy server can maintain logs of all IPs that |
| computer B. Then you can use a proxy C to do that | | | | have used that proxy, to where they were connected |
| for you. | | | | and at what time this occurred. In that respect, a proxy |
| You logon to server C which then accesses server B, | | | | does not enable complete anonymity and can be used |
| and the latter is then aware only of C and not of your | | | | by a state to monitor computer usage. Nevertheless, it |
| computer A. In that way you can access any server | | | | does enable a degree of anonymity which is why |
| on the web without that server knowing it is you. You | | | | many people use free proxies to access blocked |
| can also use the anonymous proxy to access a | | | | URLs or IP addresses. |
| server that you cannot access yourself. In business | | | | Thus, schools, colleges and employers can block |
| networks, for example, your terminal will likely be using | | | | access from their servers to social networking sites |
| the main server as a proxy when you access URLs | | | | such as Facebook, and a web proxy server can be |
| on the internet. | | | | used to overcome this block. This is not a |
| Here are some of the more common uses to which a | | | | recommended usage of proxies, of course, but by |
| web proxy server can be put: | | | | using them the corporate server sees only the URL |
| 1. Security. | | | | you are accessing - that of the proxy, and not the |
| A web proxy is one that focuses on traffic on the | | | | website that the anonymous proxy subsequently logs |
| World Wide Web, and can be used to prevent access | | | | on to. |
| to web pages that have been specified in a blacklist. It | | | | There are dangers in doing this, and if the proxy you |
| therefore works as a content filter, and also, because | | | | have been using is discovered it is possible for others |
| you are not connected directly to the internet, it | | | | to determine the IP addresses that have been using |
| provides the same type of security as a firewall. If you | | | | them and you could be in serious trouble. Proxies |
| want to access a website that you know might be | | | | should therefore be used for their legal applications and |
| dangerous in terms of viruses or malware, then doing | | | | not to circumvent college or corporate security. |
| so through an anonymous proxy will isolate you from | | | | A web proxy server has its place, and when used |
| the site but still give you indirect access. | | | | correctly is an extremely useful security devices You |
| 2. Hacking Prevention | | | | can control not only your own anonymity from |
| This is another form of security that you can use to | | | | potential hackers, but also use content filtration to |
| prevent hackers from accessing your server or | | | | restrict the IPs that others using your computer or |
| computer. If your computer contains sensitive material, | | | | server can access. Proxies are easy to use, and all |
| it is wise to place a web proxy server between it and | | | | have to do is to configure your browser to connect to |
| the internet. Hackers will not be able to get your IP | | | | the internet through the proxy: using IE for example, |
| address, and hence will not be able to gain access to | | | | simply go to Internet Options>Connections>Settings |
| your hard disk or cache. | | | | and enter the proxy details. |
| 3. Parental Control with a Free Proxy | | | | |