Let's see...

* As Moore said:
Internet Explorer is limited in options, where a dedicated software is usually highly configurable.
* Internet Explorer is leakware, that program just shouts out info for anyone to hear. When worried about security and privacy, there are far better browsers.
* Dedicated programs allow you to easily switch proxies, or even tunnel them. Explorer settings don't allow tunneling and they're far from user friendly when it comes to switching to a different proxy (7 clicks for christ' sake).
* Most programs do more than just provide the proxy connection. They provide scanning options, verifying options, list cleaning options.

Those are the main reasons I can think of.

Shades

Hi I'm looking into proxy server services at the moment, does anyone know anything about anonx (www.anonx.com)? Apparently they're run out of venuzuala, but I saw in their forums that they had been blacklisted by bluetack at one time or another? So I'm not sure if this is a legit service or if its a scam out to get unsuspecting surfers.

Hi danielk

As far as I know its a legit service and there are also few members here from AnonX.

AnonX were only blocked by mistake through IP ranges that were too wide.

They were not blocked for scamming anyone , and have never been targeted by us to be blocked at any time.

Thanks for your feedback it's appreciated. It 's hard to not be paranoid with the amount of people hunting p2p users!

Just a quick question-
It states in the sticky that it is dangerous to use a proxy in Germany, is that because it is illegal, or are there too many hackers? Can someone explain this to me? I would like to use a proxy here in Germany but I want to know what you mean by the asterisk by my country first. thanks,
Tom

More likely the reason is because of the govt monitoring systems and co-operation between some of the countries with the * besides them , that makes them less appealling to use.

A proxy from one of these countries is not regarded as secure as it is by using a proxy from a country with no relationship to super power nations or that can monitor you no matter what you do.

Still you have no guarantee that any proxy you use is trustworthy , just one of the risks involved.

Just as a note ... the latest version of Charon (0.5.1) allows you to import into multiple "bad" lists from a variety of formats ... including peerguardian.

Concerning the pro and cons of proxies I see it this way: all though you basicaly allow only one "entity" from maybe seeing something personal as a con, it does keep all those who use tracking methods whether its cookies or by referal or what not. So its either one and block a million or a million and block one. I personally have nothing to hide in the legal sence I just wish to keep boodsucking corprate smacktards for knowing or beliving they know who I am and my purpose or intent or likabilty to do or not to do ect ect. for personal and profitable gain.

I am using ghost surf 2005 platium and my question about it is; as you stated http: proxies are less secure than socks proxies; when ghost surf uses data encryption does this offer any added security or is it more or less failable, and does it help agaist the problems asociated with http: proxies?

As far as I understand the encryption is only 56 bit and I havent seen an option to increase it, I assume it stops script kiddies but realisticaly hackers? Mmmm makes me doubt that.

Here's a thought, if a group of friends were to invest a modest amount for some rackspace, would it be possible to set up an anonymous proxy server on said rack and then vpn to it from Mr PC@Home??
Seems it may be an affordable way to protect ones activities on the interweb
Maybe, those friends would have to chain 2 rackspace servers with the above specs to prevent the rackspace provider from disclosing anything?

Here's the expensive solution http://www.katzglobal.com/hosting/offshore_hosting.html

Perhaps someone more knowledgeable in this community could spread some light on my speculations

anyone any idea if its possible to get active mode while using vpn or socks5 or any other way of hiding your ip while still being able to use active mode rather than passive mode only ?

Interesting little Security Episode on Internet Anonymizers, general idea how they work, and how some of them really aren't 100% untrackable as you may think they are.

http://www.grc.com/SecurityNow.htm#70 "Achieving Internet Anonymity".

Just something I found interesting folks.


Currently I am using the Anonymizer from http://www.findnot.com. One of the best I have seen so far IMO besides TOR.

thanks! gonna check it out

ddd

This is a very interesting subject.
I need to do some more reading I think.
On a related note.
I have seen pages with PHP scripts that can backtrack through some proxies but I was wondering is there any way you can check from your PC to see how secure a proxy is?

Updated a little more.

Added details about running your own web proxy and a range of free web proxy scripts to choose from, plus a few new subjects like TOR network/ XB browser etc.

Find the typos and win a prize.

Great Topic, kind of educated me on being safe now with proxies! I like to be safe on the inernet so this topic was really good.

hello all...

i am using SurfSolo, from SecurStar. i never had truoble and my annonymity was there.

sometimes i would encounter some decrease in speed but i can change the server location whenever i wish without any problems.

sure, it's not freeware but i'm pleased with it.

regards

Hello! Thank you very much for providing this extremely detailed guide on proxies.

Unfortunately, I do not believe that it provides details on how one would go about collecting their own proxy list without taking that list from a source that has already found a list to pubish.

I would be extremely grateful if you could please explain how one goes about collecting their own list of proxies.

Thank you (once again)!

Proxy hunters just continously port scan the internet looking for specific open ports / holes and collect that information into their proxy lists.

Most people don't take too kindly to having their systems port scanned, although I don't think it's illegal it's usually an indication that you are up to no good..

There are lots of port/proxy scanning tools, I'm not sure how many are actually worthwhile. Can't remember the last time I tried one - look here though for some tools - http://www.proxyblind.org/free.shtml and be careful what you scan if you do start hunting.

There is a post here somewhere about all the gov/mil ranges which you would obviously want to avoid for starters.

Very interesting topic! It got me into thinking of using one, i looked around and found www.intl-alliance.com and was wondering if the fact that they don't collect any personal information on their members really makes it safer than others and which one are the safest out there atm and allowed by BISS?

Nice Guide about proxies. I'm looking for a new proxy since my ISP stopped their proxy-service.

I wonder why Blocklist manager CAN block (level 3) proxies. Does BLM block unsafe proxies only or does it block all proxies?

Updated this guide a little more.

@ rommiet - The proxy list in BLM is available for people who want to block all the proxies we can find through the public lists etc.

Some people may not want proxy connections to them on p2p networks etc ... Obviously we can't block every proxy on the net, but a lot of the public lists are covered.

It's also quite useful for people searching for a proxy to use