A proxy is like a middle man sitting between a web host, the server that you are trying to download files from, and the individual sitting in front of his/her computer. In its simplest form, a proxy is a piece of software that “acts onbehalf of” a network client.

A proxy is used for many different things, but a main reason is to remain anonymous, or, more specifically, not use your own IP. Using a proxy is a great way to make sure that you are surfing with the security and anonymity that you require. Of course an anonymity requirement is not always an essential one. A persons anonymity depends on the nature of the work being done over the internet.

A proxy is a system that understands the type of information transmitted — for example, NRPC or HTTP-format information — and controls the information flow between trusted and untrusted clients and servers. One of the most important features of a proxy is to mitigate network latency. In addition, a proxy is a wise decision if you use multiple browsers, or have a LAN with multiple computers since a proxy can run as a server application.

How proxy servers work

In relationship to computer networks, you will find that a proxy server in actuality is a specific type of server which is basically a computer system or an application program that makes requests to different servers on behalf of the user. When a client connects to an individual proxy server that they are using they will request a file, a connection, a web page, or another resource that is available from the other server. The proxy server is able to provide the resource by connecting to the server that was specified; however, there are a few exceptions. The first exception is that the proxy server will occasionally alter an individual client’s given request or maybe even the response of the server as well. The other exception is that a proxy server may take the time to service the request by not making contact with the individual server that was specified.

Gateways

Another important term that one should keep in mind is known as a gateway. A gateway is a proxy server that is known to pass all of the requests that it is given, in addition to replies, in an unmodified way. So, in essence, it is not a proxy server at all but rather a mere gateway. You should also know that a proxy server can actually be installed on the user’s local computer or it can also be placed at strategic key points located between the individual user’s computer, the actual destination server, or even the internet.

Types of proxy servers

There are several different types of proxy servers and many functions that a proxy servers perform and individuals should ensure that they take the time to understand what is actually occurring with these individual types and functions. Some of the various proxies available today will include a caching proxy server, a web proxy, an anonymizing proxy server, an intercepting proxy server, a transparent and non transparent proxy server, a forced proxy, an open proxy server, a split proxy server, a reverse proxy server, and proxy servers that are located at educational institutions and most business offices.

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