A proxy server can be useful if you want to access blocked websites, like Facebook or YouTube, at school or at work. The way they work is that they act as a middleman between you and the website that you want to visit. To your computer, it looks like you’re visiting the proxy server instead of the other website and this allows you to sneak in through the cracks of filters and firewalls that block certain sites.
What is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server is an intermediary between you and the internet. When you type in a URL, it redirects your request to another computer that can then retrieve the information you are looking for. This way, your ISP (internet service provider) or government cannot see what websites you visit, making it easier to access blocked or censored content.
How to Use a Proxy Server?
A proxy server is an intermediary computer that sits between your computer and the Internet. It can be used to hide your identity and bypass security blocks, like when you try to access blocked websites. There are two ways that you can use a proxy server:
(1) through an encrypted connection; or
(2) through the use of a web browser extension.
If you choose the former, it will encrypt all of your traffic on its way to and from the proxy server. If you choose the latter, it will automatically redirect any website that requests for a new page to another website in order to circumvent content filters. To start using a proxy server, follow these instructions:
- First, search for a proxy server that suits your needs and download it onto your computer.
- Then go into settings on the top menu bar of your browser, go to internet options and click on connections then select LAN settings.
- Finally, change this setting from automatically detect settings to use automatic configuration script and then input the IP address of the proxy server followed by the port number before clicking ok.
- The same process would apply if you wanted to do so on your smartphone or tablet. The last thing that you need to do is restart your browser which should connect back with the proxy server.
- The next time that you visit a site, it will not come from your home IP address but rather from the IP of the proxy server.
Benefits of Using a Proxy Server:
A proxy server is an intermediate point between you and the website that you are trying to access. The proxy server acts as a go-between, receiving your request for information and passing it on to the site.
This can be used for accessing websites that are blocked by your internet service provider or your school. It also provides anonymity because the website will not know who you are but only know who the proxy server is. If there is malware on your computer, the malware cannot harm other devices when it uses a proxy server.
Another advantage of using a proxy server is security. If someone intercepts communications sent through the proxy they cannot decrypt them without knowledge of encryption keys in both directions. They cannot hijack connections either unless they have control over both ends of the connection.
Disadvantages of Using a Proxy Server:
There are disadvantages of using a proxy server. The major one is that you don’t know who is on the other side. You’re not just accessing the website you want, but also websites that the person running your proxy server does. This can be dangerous because there are websites with malicious content on them.
Another disadvantage of using a proxy server is that it slows down access to websites. It takes more time for requests and information to go back and forth between the user’s computer and the proxy server.
However, many people use this technique in order to bypass blocks put in place by their school or company. A proxy server will work if blocked sites aren’t restricted to one IP address. If they are restricted, then an individual would have to find out what address the site uses in order to get around these restrictions.
For example, let’s say that Netflix is blocked at a workplace; the employer has set up restrictions on all incoming requests from different IP addresses. If Netflix doesn’t list its IP address anywhere, employees won’t be able to see what it is and how to get around the restriction. Employees could figure out where Netflix’s IP address falls within their range by checking all IPs until they see which ones belong to Netflix.
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