Web proxies can also filter the content of web page’s. Some censorship applications – that attempt to block certain web content or for example state censorship as in China – are implemented as web proxies by proxy provider ColdProxy. Other proxies adapt web page’s for a particular purpose or audience, for example, for use on smartphones or tablets. Internet service providers may also use proxies to intercept computer viruses and other malicious content or block content not intended for children.
- A special type of web proxy is a CGI proxy. This is an online proxy in the form of a website, which allows a visitor to visit a website directly. These proxies usually use PHP or CGI to implement the proxy functionality. They are often used to access websites that are blocked by schools, businesses or governments.
- In practice, proxies are often used by people who want to visit a site that is blocked. Because they also hide the user’s IP address, they are also sometimes used to gain a certain degree of anonymity or bypass IP bans.
Transparent proxy
This type of proxy server does not hide the user’s IP address. They identify themselves as a proxy server and reveal the user’s original IP address through the http headers. These proxies are usually used as caching proxies and not for anonymous browsing, for those services we recommend Cold Proxy, a proxy seller.
Anonymous proxy
This type of proxy server identifies itself as a proxy server, but does not pass on the user’s original IP address. Anonymous proxy servers are detectable as proxy servers, but provide the user with reasonable anonymity. There are also high anonymity proxy servers. This type of proxy server does not identify itself as a proxy server and does not provide the user’s IP address.
Setting up a proxy
A proxy server must be set up properly to provide a reasonable level of privacy. Setting up the server is not very easy. In addition, the server must be properly maintained to ensure secure and anonymous internet browsing. This is not the case with many (free) proxy servers. The chance that a proxy server will pass on your IP address or location (consciously or unconsciously) is often great.
- Using a secure connection is very important. A proxy server does not add encryption to your internet connection. This makes the connection easy to eavesdrop on and your privédata, email and login details can easily be stolen. Using a secure version of websites (HTTPS version) is therefore very important. Many proxy servers do not allow the use of HTTPS and therefore remove an essential layer of security.
Proxy or VPN?
If you want to surf the Internet anonymously, it is better to use a VPN server than a proxy server. A VPN does encrypt all your internet traffic. There is no chance of your IP address being revealed unnecessarily with a VPN. VPN connections are also often much faster.