Learn how a Web-based Proxy Service Works

So have you tried one of those web-based proxies or are you thinking about trying one? What exactly is a web proxy, and how does it work? This brief explantion will explain not only how a web-based proxy works, but how proxy software works as well. Proxies are used for several reasons... they help keep your web-surfing anonymous and they can be used to un-block, or unlock websites or URLs that have been blocked by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Although that may seem like a dream-come-true, you should read the good and the bad of using these proxies below. Unblocking myspace, unblocking bebo, or any other websites comes at a cost! So before you try to bypass your school filter, or before you try to get access to a blocked webpage, be aware that there are risks involved!

First, a brief explanation of what a proxy is:

A web proxy is simply a server that funnels all of your Internet requests into one location, and then makes the request from there. In other words, when you request www.myspace.com, typically that request goes through your ISP (and any filters they may have) and then out to the Internet (unless they are blocking myspace.com)... this same thing is true of bebo.com, youtube.com, and any other website that you request. A proxy basically tells your computer to send all requests somewhere else instead of to your ISP. That proxy will then decide whether or not to send you the page you requested. So in effect, you are simply bypassing your school proxy, or bypassing your ISP proxy and replacing it with another one.

Here is a picture that demonstrates how this works:

So as you can see, a "website unblocker" or proxy service is nothing magical! It is simply a way of redirecting your computer to make requests somewhere else. As you might see from this image, that proxy then knows EVERYTHING you are requesting! EVERY WEBSITE YOU VISIT THROUGH A PROXY CAN BE TRACKED! Even if a proxy claims that it is an "anonymous proxy" you can't really be sure, because they can record every web visit that you ever make! Also, they can filter content or alter information on web pages just the same way your school or ISP does. So BE CAREFUL WHEN CHOOSING A PROXY SERVICE!.

PROs of using a web proxy (or website unblocker - myspace unbloker, bebo unlocker, etc)

• Depending on the proxy, you might be surfing anonymously.
• The proxy may unblock myspace, youtube, or any other sites you might want unlocked.
• In some cases a proxy may actually speed up how fast a page loads.

CONs of using a web proxy (or web unblocker, myspace.com unblocer, unblock youtube - utube.com, etc)

• You may be violating the terms of your agreement with your ISP, school, or other insitution.
• EVERY request you make to the proxy server is tracked by that provider (whether they use that information or not is up to them).
• Not all proxies will unblock websites for you... some of them have their own filters.
• Proxies can significantly slow down your browsing, based on how many other people are currently using it.

Other links on this site: Website Unblockers | Learn how a web-based proxy works | List of unblocking software