Web Proxy Facts » Proxy Users

Your Right to Anonymity

Dude — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:06:33 +0000

Note that this applies to only certain countries. See your own country’s laws for specific information.

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 12:

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

According to the United States Bill of Rights, Amendment 4:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

You reserve the right to stay anonymous and private, and you have the protection of the law against any attacks on your privacy.

Dangers and Moral Responsibilities

Dude — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:31:31 +0000

The use of proxies is generally frowned upon. While some people use proxies simply for anonymity and safe web surfing, others use it to circumvent filters at places like schools and work.

While it is ultimately your decision, there are possible consequences for using proxies at the wrong times. Some schools will suspend your computer rights or worse. In the worst case scenario, you can get expelled.

Jobs and offices use web filters in order to increase employee productivity. If you are caught using a proxy, it is not impossible that you will get fired. Make sure to check up with your employer whether the use of proxies is allowed.

Also, while many proxies are made by legit webmasters just trying to make money, some are created by hackers. It is not unheard of that a user logged into their MySpace or Facebook account, only to later find out that the password was changed and it was hacked into.

Make sure that the proxy can be trusted, and isn’t going to just steal any data that you enter into it. I personally don’t suggest you enter any financial or important information into web proxies, because you never know.

Legal Issues

Dude — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:13:30 +0000

Proxies are commonly used to circumvent bans and filters in place. It may range from the simple school block, all the way to the country ban.

Several countries such as Turkey, Syria, and Thailand block websites such as YouTube. However, people try to get on anyways. And that’s where proxies come in handy.

However, some countries, like China, block the usage of proxies altogether. Before using or starting a proxy, make sure that they are legal in your country. For a fact, they are completely legal in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Encrypting Your Data

Dude — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:51:52 +0000

A huge reason that people use web-based proxies is to encrypt their online data.

Your browser must support iFrame in order to be able to see your data.

With a simple script, a website is able to find out your browser, operating system, and even location. See your IP address? That can be used to track you right down to the computer you are reading from at this very moment.

People who do not want to be seen using the Internet, such as Free Speech activists and criminals may use proxies in order to hide their data. What a proxy does is it assigns random information to you.

Let’s say you live in the United States and use Mozilla Firefox. After using a proxy, somebody trying to track you will learn that you live in Greece and use Netscape Navigator. Unless they are able to circumvent the proxy encryption (not likely), they will not know your real location or information.

What is a Web Proxy?

Dude — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:12:50 +0000

A web proxy is a script that is used request a page from another website.

For example, if you go on Proxy A, and try to get to Website B through it, you will see Website B, but you will still technically be on Proxy A.

Proxies are generally used for four reasons. First, they serve as a cache. Proxies are able to save website data onto their servers, so that next time you visit the website, it will be already loaded for you. This will make the loading time much faster.

Proxies are also used to unblock websites in places like schools, work offices, and libraries. Because you are technically still on the proxy when sending a request to another website, it will appear ‘unblocked’ for you.

People that wish to browse the internet anonymously tend to use proxies. These people can range from free speech activists, criminals, to teenage boys looking on porn sites without getting caught. Proxies are able to scramble the information your computer releases.

Finally, proxies are also used to browse the internet safely. Because proxies are able to remove or encrypt web pages and certain scripts, they lower the chances of you contracting a virus while viewing a web page.