One common question asked by web users is whether it is better to use a proxy server or a VPN or Virtual Private Network. Here are some pros and cons of both options. Proxy - Advantages The main advantage of a proxy server is that it can relay your connection requests to web sites without revealing your user information. The web site receiving the request for information will only see the proxy address when the connection is made. One of the biggest advantages of a proxy is that you can use a proxy server from any location in the world, so if you want to keep your location a secret, you can just choose a proxy server located in a country across the globe from where you are. Another advantage is that there are a lot of free proxy solutions around. These can be used by anyone [ READ MORE ... ]

Wondering what kind of proxy server is best to use? One of the most common questions you will come across is whether it is better to use a transparent proxy or an elite proxy. These two are the most commonly used types of proxy servers, and yet they seem to belong to the two extreme sides of the spectrum. Transparent proxy A transparent proxy is a typical proxy server that does not change your online privacy settings, which means although your IP address is hidden, it is easy for web site administrators to determine or detect the usage of a proxy server. Its main purpose as a proxy server is to cache pages that you frequently access in order to speed up the loading of pages, even when they contain large amounts of data. A transparent proxy is also widely used to filter out web [ READ MORE ... ]

Many web users and even organizations use proxy/socks for various reasons. A proxy server serves as an intermediary server through which web connections can be made. Using web proxies are known to help increase security of web connections, improve Internet speed and performance, and protect user identity. Some of the most common situations wherein proxy/socks would be useful include the following: 1. When you want to access web sites blocked by your computer or network If you belong to a network that bans certain web sites, using proxy servers can allow you to open such web sites since the request will be made through a different IP address, therefore keeping your identity secret. The network will not be able to identify the proxy address and will not be able to block the [ READ MORE ... ]

An IP address serves as a computer’s unique identification address when it connects to a network or to the Internet. Typically, IP addresses are not considered secret. However, many web users, especially companies and organizations, now use proxy servers when connecting and communicating online as an effort to keep their IP addresses hidden. This is because an IP address can be quite revealing, as it can determine the location of a particular web user. But up to what extent does an IP address reveal about one’s location? Does it reveal your exact location, i.e. up to your house number? Generally, other people cannot tell your exact location just from your IP address. At best, it can only determine your general location, depending on who’s looking for the information and what [ READ MORE ... ]

HideMyAss.com is one of the handy and very useful proxy services around. It offers proxy servers that effectively hides the identity of web users. Users have found it effective in bypassing most web site filters and firewall restrictions. HideMyAss.com offers several proxy sites belonging to The Privax Network. The Privax Network was founded back in 2006. Although relatively smaller than other proxy services, the said network is constantly growing. Take note, however, that the network is mostly based in the USA, so there aren’t many geographical options to choose from. One of the unique features of HideMyAss.com is the widget option. This feature allows you to put a web proxy on your own web site. The widget lists different web proxy sites to make it easy for you and your web site [ READ MORE ... ]