Proxy Sites 101 – General Information on Proxy Servers
A proxy server is an application running on a computer that sits between a workstation user and a Web server, and it usually resides on the same network as its user. Proxy sites are often where you can locate these proxy servers.
One advantage of a proxy server is that its cache can serve all users. If one or more Internet sites are frequently requested, these are likely to be in the proxy’s cache, and this leads to quicker access of the web pages. It is also utilized by ISP’s or network administrators as a firewall and content filter to disable access or requests to certain web sites considered offensive or harmful for the network and users. With the use of a proxy, you can also acquire access to blocked websites and bypass work, school, college or company internet filters.
Another function of a proxy server is to carry out anonymous Web surfing. Using an anonymous web surfing proxy is advised, because surfing the web can be risky and your IP address causes you to expose some of your personal data to the rest of the world when you’re surfing the net. Your browsing activity can be tracked, from the place of origin, to the type of browser you are currently using to explore the Web. When you visit this web page from a free web-based proxy you can have a completely different IP address. For example, you are currently browsing this web site using the IP address 121.96.233.170. As far as the Internet is concerned, the only IP address on the remote server(s) is the proxy’s IP address. Only the proxy server knows the customer’s IP address.
Searching for new fresh proxy servers is not difficult but most of the proxy sites online do not update their proxy list and most of the proxies are either dead, transparent, open or insecure. So you need to be careful when choosing a particular proxy website. Otherwise, using these sites could end up a huge tragedy for you.