Why use proxies?
 Security, your IP address and Proxies
Every computer that is connected to the Internet has a unique identity code
known as an IP address. Whether you know it or not, your IP address is revealed
to each and every web site that you visit. This is not ideal because your IP
address can be used to access your computer without your knowledge or permission.
Have a look at this website to determine your IP address, and see just how easy it is for others to find
it.
Spammers and machiavellian marketing web sites are able to use your IP address
to track your web-reading habits; if they have this information, coupled with
your e-mail address, they will be able to bombard you with unwanted junk e-mail.
Ambiguous or fraudulent websites (or individual hackers) can also gain access
to your hard drive and network resources if they have your IP address. In fact,
they can secure entry to your system with alarming ease; all they need is the
aide of a powerful hacking program, the knowledge of your Operating System (OS)
and your IP address. Even simple programs, readily available to download for
free, can be used to slow your system or drain your network resources if the
hacker has the required information.
Dynamic versus static IP addresses
Dynamic IP addresses are renewed each time you connect to the Internet.
They are more secure because hackers and other alien parties have less time
to find weaknesses with which to exploit your system.
Fixed or Static IP addresses present the most danger; if
you have an ADSL/Broadband/constant connection they remain the same and hackers
have as much time as they need to gain access to your private and personal information.
You wouldn't put your home address on your house keys, and nor should allow
webmasters unauthorized access to your computer. If you employ the use of an
Anonymous Proxy your IP address will be masked and you will be protected from
unwanted cyber-trespassing.
Anonymous Proxies
If you use an anonymous proxy the web site you are visiting will be unable
to retrieve your IP address or even the fact that you are using a proxy.
However, not all proxies are anonymous and if you are using an identifiable
proxy your IP address can still be determined by other web users.
Try for yourself, and see
whether your proxy is anonymous.
Non-encrypted websites
When visiting non-encrypted web sites you are vulnerable to Man in
the Middle (MITM) attacks because the data passed
between your computer and the web server is not protected. An alien party can
stand between the two legitimate users and intercept or damage that data; someone
could even be reading your e-mails. However, using a SSH (Secure Shell) proxy
server to encrypt your data and hide your identity negates the risk of such MITM attacks.
Click here to learn more
about SSH.
Other benefits
Proxies store information in a database-cache, so if you visit a website via
a proxy server you do not have to wait for your computer to connect to the web-server;
the proxy shows you the information it has stored, almost instantly. Considerable
time can be saved when you do not have to wait for an overloaded web server,
and Local Network servers are able to spread their resources more effectively
resulting in a faster Internet service all-round.
Proxies can also be used on Local Area Networks (LANs)
to manage and filter user requests. Website access can be restricted; schools
and organizations, for example, will use proxies to protect their students and
employees from unsuitable Internet material.
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