What is an Anonymous Proxy?
An anonymous proxy is a piece of software designed to protect the privacy and anonymity
of web browsers from web site operators, Internet snoops, and even unfriendly governments.
The anonymous proxy software resides on a proxy server. The web browser connects
to the proxy server and the proxy server connects to the web server.
The web server
does not know who you are, it only knows who the proxy server is. The proxy server does know who you are -- so you had better choose a proxy server that you trust.
Features to Look For in an Anonymous Proxy
A good web proxy will allow you to setup a
TLS or SSL tunnel. This will prevent packet sniffers
from eavesdropping on you while you are surfing anonymously.
Some anonymous proxy servers support FTP, while others only
support HTTP. Better anonymous proxy servers also support HTTPS. Make sure to select an anonymous
proxy server which supports the protocols you wish to use.
In addition to hiding your IP address, an anonymous proxy
server will typically remove traffic such as:
- Cookies
- Pop-ups
- Banners
- Scripts
- Referrer information
These options should be configurable by the end-user to enable to proxy server to
work with web sites which require cookies or
pop-ups
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