What is a proxy server used for?

As you may know the world is changing from the time you woke up and started reading this article. As you read this, it is being written, watched on youtube and shared on social media. The internet today is full of people sharing their experiences as they browse the web, stream videos, play games or read news. There are two basic issues with this as the owner of a server, network and the user that is browsing the web. To view websites on your device you need an internet connection. It is no longer enough to have an internet connection, as most routers will allow two devices to use the connection at the same time. That is great, but if the one with the best connection cannot see websites for example, they might be limited to playing games on consoles, watching movies and so on. Some businesses are using proxies on their servers to access the internet for their employees. Another reason is to hide what someone has been doing on the internet. If you are a gamer, there is a chance you will notice your gameplay can sometimes be interrupted. A common culprit for such glitches is someone with an unlimited bandwidth accessing the game. So in essence some kind of proxy servers are made to connect different companies and business to the internet to provide safe internet to all clients. Proxy servers allow the connection to occur without a hitch. They act like a firewall when connecting to a server for a first time. It is not a permanent solution as every now and then you may have to reconnect and give a new IP address to the user.

What are good and bad types of proxies? The main types of proxy servers are good or bad depending on the users experience, the amount of traffic being passed and how well they manage the internet. One is to create a public proxy server that connects to other servers to perform some operations and make sure all connections to that server are handled properly. Bad type of proxies are those where they only route traffic through themselves, making sure every user receives the proper traffic. They might be more convenient or cheap, but will result in bad connections for every user since all users are treated the same way. We will talk more about each of these a little later as well as why we should avoid these proxies. Let's get into a few different ways a proxy can be used and how you might benefit from its presence in your browser.

What is a proxy server?

A proxy server is a tool that redirects a person's web browsing and internet usage to an IP address owned by the proxy server provider. The proxy server can be accessed via a web browser (such as Firefox, Google Chrome or Internet Explorer) and the website you're trying to reach is sent to the proxy server instead. This allows the owner of the proxy server to see what you're doing online and make money by selling your personal data to advertising companies.

What are the benefits of using a proxy? Using a proxy server means you don't have to use your personal details when browsing the internet. Instead, your internet connection is redirected to the proxy server and your personal information is no longer available to people who may wish to collect it. This means no more emails, online banking, social networking sites or anything else that could be seen as private.

How do I set up a proxy? It's easy to set up a proxy in most web browsers and is often included with your broadband package. You'll need to download the software and then install it on your computer. Once you've done that, you'll be able to access the proxy settings in the browser.

To find out more about proxies, we've put together a detailed guide that explains how to set up a proxy and the benefits of doing so. It's really simple and should take you no longer than five minutes to complete.

Please note: some proxy servers can be used for illegal activities, including cyber bullying and child abuse. We don't condone such activities, and are not responsible for the actions of any third-party.

What is a virtual private network (VPN)? A virtual private network (or VPN) uses the internet and the public internet to create a secure tunnel between your computer and a private network. This means your personal details are no longer available to prying eyes and your internet activity is encrypted. You can browse the internet anonymously and securely with a VPN.

What are the benefits of using a VPN? Using a VPN means your personal details are no longer available to prying eyes and your internet activity is encrypted. This means you can browse the internet anonymously and securely and avoid being tracked online by advertising companies and other individuals who may wish to know what you're doing.

How do I set up a VPN?