Pros and Cons of Free Proxy and Proxy Sites

This will discuss in detail the using of proxy servers to make yourself invisible to unwanted sources that would like to take your information.

As the internet has evolved, internet users have become more concerned about security and anonymity within the web. It is common for web browsers to contain spyware which can gather personal information about the user such as the IP address, e-mail and sometimes even more personal information. Not only this, but phishing scams may be imbedded into the websites allowing the creator to obtain passwords and other such information in order to hack or use that information to scam the internet user.

For reasons such as these, it is becoming more increasingly popular for users to look to proxy sites in order to surf the internet more securely and anonymously without the hassle of being spammed with worthless e-mail scams and internet offers. There is thousands of proxy sites listed in every search engine, and many are free proxy sites that offer a variety of servers to hide behind in order to allow them anonymity.

What is a proxy server? A proxy server offers a network to allow your identity to be hidden. It basically makes your information relay through its server so that whoever is potentially watching you won't know who you are or what you are doing. The client makes a connection to a proxy server. It then requests the connection, file, or other information that is on another server someplace else. A proxy can also sometimes alter the request or response from the server. Either way, the proxy provides a way for the client to connect through another server in order to hide the client's true connection server. There are several types of proxy servers and they all vary in the type of security they provide.

Some examples of proxies are: Transparent - One that makes an identification that it is the proxy server but allows the original internet protocol address to be available by http headers, Anonymous - One that identifies that it is a proxy but doesn't allow the original address availability, Distorting - One that will distinguish itself as being a proxy but will make an intentional error in providing the original address within http headers, and lastly High Anonymity - One that will not let itself be known as any proxy nor will it make the original address known.

The use of proxy servers without permission is illegal in some countries and should not be done. There are thousands of free proxy sites and can be found easily through any internet web search. A minimal amount of browser configuration is required in order to connect to a proxy server and most websites will provide a walkthrough of directions in regards to a client's individual browser.

There is a risk with open proxies - one that accepts connections from client from all IP addresses and allows connections to anything Internet resource related. Also, while proxies can be useful for the consumer, they can also prove to be harmful in that proxy servers are often used by clients who generate phishing, scamming e-mails as well as viruses. Make sure that you are getting the right product for your needs.

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Proxy Sites and Their Usefulness

This will explain how proxy sites can work for you by protecting your information.
Proxy sites are the greatest things ever invented for internet privacy. Identity theft is increasing year after year and most times the crooks get your information from the internet. When you are browsing websites, they can track your every detail. They then store this information and sell it or use it to solicit offers to you. These people will stop at nothing and are not a bit shy about using your information to their advantage.
Many television or radio stations online will censor you if you go to their site to watch programs or listen to music because when you go to their site they track your IP address. When they see that you are not from their area then they will automatically block you if their content is only for area residents. This is not only frustrating on the level that you can't enjoy the activity you want to, it is also frustrating because you get a message saying that the reason is because you aren't from their area. It should not be their business what area you are from. This is where a proxy server can help. The server will block anyone from knowing where you are. Everything you do on the internet, it will route back to the proxy who will then not disclose your actual information or location. It acts as a go between from you to the people who are requesting information or details about you.
Proxy sites can be paid services or you can get a free proxy as well. While paid services may give you a few more options, free services are typically just as good and can get you the protection you need without putting a dent in your wallet. Just to give you a better look at how you are tracked, look at your cookies for instance. You will find a ton of tracking cookies in your folder that you probably don't even realize are there. The people that take your information feed on this and get information that you may not want them to have. If you enter bank account numbers, credit card numbers, passwords or other highly secure information you won't want these places knowing these things. You wouldn't give the name of your bank to a stranger on the street, so why give it to these people?
A free proxy service can get you the protection you need and can do it correctly. Let them hide your identity from everyone in the world. What you do on the internet is up to you not anyone else. Be proactive and not a victim. To learn about how to obtain a free proxy, simply conduct a search online. This will bring up thousands of results, but you should be able to narrow the best ones down by reading reviews on comparison sites. If other customers are rating a company well that probably means they are a safe choice to allow them to be your proxy serving company. All customers can't be wrong.

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