December 06, 2007 by sharky
Using ‘Proxy Servers’ to maintain Anonymity
As opposed to web-based anonymous proxies, “real” proxy servers don’t rely on you having to visit their website every time to enter an Internet address, or URL. While generally they offer the same anonymous services as their web-based cousins, proxy servers are embedded into the Internet browser, within the settings. Another key feature is that they can also be incorporated into almost every single application that requires access to the Internet: Online games, FTP programs, P2P filesharing programs - just to name a few.
Like everything else on the Internet, Proxy Servers come in two flavors: Free and Paid.
Free Anonymous Proxy Servers
PROs: Free!
CONs: Everything else! (not recommended for anyone who’s serious about anonymity).
While the price can’t be beat, here are some less-than-positive tidbits about free (anonymous) proxy servers:
- They are slow. You’ll notice that they’re sluggish to load web pages and surf, compared to paid services and your normal Internet speed.
- They can (and do) disappear without a trace: This means you’ll have to find another one, and change the settings in your browser again (and any other web program that you set it up to use).
- There are no guarantees in regards to the safety of any data being sent through them, nor can the ‘anonymity’ be ascertained.
Here are two websites that offer current, updated lists of free proxy servers:
Paid (subscription-based) Proxy Servers
PROs: Excellent service and anonymity.
CONs: $$ (recommended to those who can afford it).
- ‘Paid’ is the better way to go if you choose to use a proxy server. Speeds will be comparable to your normal Internet connection, and the service is going to work the next day! Some providers will actually “guarantee” anonymity.
Some subscription-based proxy servers are software oriented and easy to install - the service can be activated by clicking an integrated button on the browser itself.
How to set up a proxy server:
To install a proxy server in a web browser, users require just two things from a working proxy - the IP address and the port number. If you are adding a free proxy server, visit one of the websites listed above (for example - PublicProxyServers.com). Both of these criteria will have to be added to your browser.
If you subscribe to a pay service for a proxy, they will supply you with a specific IP and port number to add to your browser. But either way, the implementation is exactly the same.
In Explorer:
1. Launch Internet Explorer, go to TOOLS > INTERNET OPTIONS
2. Select the “Connections” tab, and click on “LAN Settings” at the bottom:
3. Select “Use a proxy server for your LAN”. Now enter the numerical proxy server address (or, enter a ‘text’ name for the proxy server - if supported). Be sure to enter the correct port number as well. Click “OK” to complete.
Now all of your Internet Explorer traffic and surfing will go through the added proxy server, instead of your ISP.
In Firefox:
1. Launch Firefox (2.0+), go to TOOLS > OPTIONS…
2. Select ADVANCED (at the top right), then select the “Network” tab, then click the SETTINGS button:
3. Select “Manual proxy configuration:” and enter the numerical proxy server address in the HTTP Proxy: window (or, enter a ‘text’ name for the proxy server - if supported). Be sure to enter the correct port number as well. Click “OK” to complete.
Now all of your Mozilla Firefox traffic and surfing will go through the added proxy server, instead of your ISP.
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