A proxy is a web page that provides Internet users with the ability to browse web sites that may be blocked by a content filter, such as Web Sense or Smart Filter. By making use of the proxy as the portal to the blocked site, it is possible to circumvent the work of whatever content filter is in place. At the same time, the proxy site also helps to mask the visit to the site, so that there is less evidence that the content filter was not successful in preventing the visit. Making it less obvious that you were visiting the sites that were blocked.
Also, the proxy will provide the same ability to browse the Internet as any other web browser. A proxy site allows the user to key in a specific web address and be directed to that specific page in a window. This accomplishes two things. First, the window is coded as part of the proxy site address and not the actual web site the user is visiting. Second, any information cached on in the temporary Internet files will appear to be information related to the proxy site, and not the blocked web site.
One of the legitimate uses of a proxy site is to get around blocked content that may contain one or two words that the filter has identified as inappropriate for viewing. Many companies make use of filters to limit the ability of employees to spend time looking at web pages that are not related to job functions in some manner. This is usually accomplished with the use of key words that are programmed into the filter, which in turn blocks any page or site with those words present. While this does block access to a number of sites that have nothing to do with work, they can also inhibit access to pages and glossaries that are designed to be helpful.
When this is the case, an employee may choose to use a proxy site to get around the block and be able to get to a page that he or she legitimately needs to view in order to accomplish a work related task. Since using a proxy site does not take much longer than using a browser window, it is much faster than calling technical support and trying to get authorization to remove a given site from the filter list. Another advantage of using a proxy is to prevent hacking. If your computer contains sensitive material, it is wise to place a web proxy server between it and the internet. This will prevent hackers from getting your IP address and therefore not able to gain access to your hard disk or cache.
A web proxy server has its place and when it is used correctly is an extremely useful security device. You can control not only your own anonymity from potential hackers, but also use content filtration to restrict the IPs that other people using tour computer or server can access. They are east to use and all you have to do is to configure your browser to connect to the internet through the proxy.
Author Resource:
This article touched the basics of the topic. I have 2 more resources related to the above. They are proxy list and new proxies . They are worth a read.
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