If you have been using the Internet for a decent amount of time, you may have heard the technical terms proxy and proxy server tossed around casually by people.
However, many people interchange the word and phrase assuming they are the same thing, but in reality they are actually two separate things.
To fully understand what either of these terms really mean, you should know that literally translated a proxy is an agent who completes a task so that the first person can stay anonymous.
In Internet terms, a proxy, or proxies are defined as websites that allow you to access information on the web without having to reveal your true identity.
An example of how one may choose to use a proxy website is a person at work who wants to have access to social networking websites that are otherwise blocked by access points on the server at work.
Therefore, people use proxies so they can access any information they want without having to reveal their identity and without leaving a trail that their bosses can find.
This brings up what a proxy server is, which is most likely what is installed at work to keep you off of the social networking websites in the first place.
A proxy server usually works somewhat like a firewall allowing you to only access certain websites that are in accordance to the guidelines set by the workplace. Many educational universities also operate and allow their users access to the internet through proxy servers.
While many people think that proxy servers are a nuisance because they limit your abilities, proxy servers can also be useful since they block users from accessing websites that contain spyware and other viruses.
For this reason, sometimes surfing the internet from a proxy server is the best way to protect yourself and your computer from infection.
May I also point out that some publicly known proxy servers can also be blocked by the website you are visiting, especially if the website in question is attempting to capture end user demographics.
I’ve seen applications you can install and attach to your webserver which, when an HTTP request is received, it queries a global database and then decides to act upon it.
So, as much as you might retain anonimity, you might also receive a limited user experience or not being able to access the website at all.
I think the usage (or non-usage) of proxy servers really depend on how secretive (or protective) the user is weighed up against the limitations.
Just my two cents.
I have used a good proxy application that doesn’t just go into the browser. You install the app, then have it run. The configuration is as straight forward as it can get. Very easy to understand. When the proxy app is running, everytime another application tries to access the net, the proxy app asks you if you should allow/block this connection, proxy it or just let it pass through without any modifications. So it acts sorta as a firewall too! Really neat!
However, you would need good proxy servers in the list for this to work properly too. It can use just one proxy server IP or randomly choose any in the list, cycle it even for a certain amount of time if you have many.