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Security Suite Canada Proxy Servers
What is a proxy server and how do I use one?Proxy servers are computers that offer a form of computer networking service. This service is meant to allow clients to make indirect network connections to any other network services. To do this, a client will connect to the proxy server where they request connections to files or other types of resources available on a different server.
In order to provide the requested file or resource the proxy will do one of two things. It will either serve the resource from its own cache, or it will connect the client to a specified server in order to fulfill the request.
There are many different types of proxies. There are web proxies, which will attempt to block web content such as material deemed offensive. CGI or PHP proxies are established to allow users to gain access to material that might otherwise be unavailable to them because it might be blocked. This is common in networks set up in corporations or schools. This type of proxy also allows for some anonymity as they mask or conceal the users true I.P. address.
Another form of a proxy is the open proxy. An open proxy is a proxy server that will accept client connections from any IP address and make connections to any Internet resource. Spammers frequently abuse these types of proxies. The spammer uses open proxies to send their spam emails with some anonymity. Many times the spammer will use malware to install open proxies on people's computers without their knowledge or consent.
Another common type of proxy is the one known as a circumventor. This is a web-page that takes a blocked or restricted web site and circumvents it by routing it through an unblocked website. This allows the user to view websites that might otherwise be blocked from their view. These types of proxy servers are usually safe to use, but be aware that unscrupulous webmasters may run these types of proxies to collect personal information. So if you use this type of proxy be sure to limit your transmission of personal information such as bank data or credit card numbers.