Proxy

A Proxy Server (or Proxy) is a computer program, software, or website that when activated will allow you to connect to the port of the serving computer. This is beneficial because when you are connected to the Proxy, your IP (as well as your other personal information) is hidden.

For example, say you are visiting a site that tracks its visitors with cookies, installs spyware on your computer, or worse is a haven for hackers.

If you access this website directly with your computer, unscrupulous people can wreak havoc on your pc and have a field day with your personal information. They can install programs that you never intended to download, track your IP address, spy on your surfing habits (and begin to bombard you with junk email, solicitations, and all forms of nasty spam), and even monitor your computer activities to better target you with their schemes. A Paid Proxy can spare you from this. Once you are connected to the Proxy, your IP address is hidden. This is called "anonymous surfing" and by surfing in this manner, you can rest assured that all of your information, surfing habits, and IP address are untraceable.

There are different types of Proxies and they all have different functions and capabilities. As mentioned above, you can download and install a Proxy program that connects you to another computer's port. This is referred to as: Proxy Software.

Another type of Proxy is the Web Based Proxy. These are by far the most common and popular. Web Based Proxies are listed on the left of this websites (under Web Proxies). To use a Web Based Proxy, you do not need to download or install additional software or applications. Simply visit the website and enter the URL that you would like to view. By using this type of Proxy, you will bypass a direct connection with the intended website and view the site under the Web Based Proxies IP address. Some of the advantages of using Web Based Proxies include: the ability to surf the web by turning off certain applications, remove cookies, remove scripts, and disable banners and ads. Many people agree that Web Based Proxies are the easiest and most effective to use. There are however problems with Web Based Proxies as well. To start, if you are using a web based proxy to bypass security, the security system will eventually crawl into your history and block the actual proxy website. Although no one will ever know what websites you actually surfed through it, it will be blocked from further use. In addition, you may not surf secure web pages through the proxy. Secure pages realize that you are surfing through a proxy and simply do not let you enter.

Open Proxies are Proxy Servers that have been left open to the public. An open proxy is different from a web based proxy in that you receive just an IP Address which you have to enter into your browser's settings. If you are looking to use a proxy to bypass network security, you are out of luck. Security programs (mainly those that are installed in school and work networks) block you from adjusting your browser's settings. Using an open proxy is less secure than using a web based proxy, but it does give you more freedom. Open proxies are generally used internationally for illegal activity while web based proxies are used for bypassing network security software. Using an open proxy also has risks. Those who intend to track the activities of Internet surfers may leave a Proxy open intentionally. The problem occurs because you have no idea who left the Proxy open, or why they did. Government officials often leave Open Proxies as traps for people using them for illegal activities.
The simplest way to tell if a Proxy is open or closed is whether or not you connect to the Proxy through one IP address or several. Also, look for proxies that require a username and password to ensure that they are closed.

Proxies offer many benefits. For those who wish to surf the web without fearing that their steps are being monitored, watched, or that their privacy is being infringed upon, Proxies are an essential tool in providing that security and subsequent peace of mind. Using a proxy is a great way to make sure that you are surfing with the security and anonymity that you require.
To sum up, proxies are the "middle man" between you and your destination. Open Proxies are not very secure but are more convenient and give more freedom than web based proxies do. A Web Based Proxy is a proxy installed on a website. Although it may be less convenient surfing through another website, it is more secure and practical. Generally, open proxies are used internationally to perform illegally activity or to mask one's IP to one from the United States. Web Based Proxies are used to unblock websites through school and work computers.

Myspace is one of the most popular Internet sites available today. It is great for networking, meeting new people, and socializing with friends. You can find the best music videos, concert shows, look up old friends, meet new ones, and have all of your favorite music artists added to your buddy list. Today, it seems that just about everybody has a Myspace page. Yet, it is also apparent that many people want to block Myspace. Schools, businesses, and other places of employment are notorious for setting up blocks and restricting access to friendship networking sites like Myspace.
Well now there is something that you can do to unblock Myspace. If your school, place of employment, or anyone else has blocked your access to Myspace you can bypass these filters by using a web based proxy. A web based proxy does not require you to download or install any software. Just simply visit the site and type in the URL. With a web based proxy server, you can access Myspace anywhere and anytime that you have access to the Internet. No longer do you have to miss out on all of the action, just because someone has blocked your Myspace access. And the best part of all is that when you use a web based proxy server, no one can tell that you've visited Myspace. That means you can unblock Myspace at school, on the job, or even in your own home without anyone being able to trace your steps or monitor your activity.

When you use a web based proxy server to Unblock Myspace, you get more benefits than simply accessing a restricted site. For instance, many free web proxies will allow you to choose whether or not you want to surf the site with scripts enabled or disabled. Many scripts contain spyware, adware, and malware and are waiting to infect your computer without your knowing it. By surfing with a proxy server and turning these capabilities off, you are not only keeping your personal information protected, but you are also protecting your computer from viruses and other threats.
Using a web based proxy server to access Myspace will allow you to surf with complete freedom and greater control. By remaining anonymous, you have the freedom to surf the web, as you like, when you like, and how you like. When you choose which features will run with the proxy server, you add greater control to your surfing experience.
You can choose to block cookies, disable scripts, and have power over your surfing options. Many people are often amazed at how easy it is to unblock Myspace once they know which web based proxy server to use. Not only will you be able to access Myspace, but you will also be able to surf at great speeds. Using a proxy server doesn't mean that you will have to crawl the web. Web based proxies are designed to deliver your sites to you in real time.

Some people worry that using a web based proxy will mean that they won't be able to access all of the features of the site. This is not true. You will have the ability to choose which features to turn off. However, once you have opened the web based proxy browser, you will be able to log in to your Myspace account and will have access to all of the Myspace functions that you normally have.

Most proxies use HTTPS Proxies which assist in browsing websites. However, certain websites require that you would need to handle certain encrypted information, which cannot be handled by the simple HTTPS proxies found on the web.

On the other hand, SSL Proxies usually save this type of information on their server. This might be a loss of privacy if this information contains important information.

Therefore, HTTPS proxies would be the safest ones to use.