What is a proxy server?

Question

I am not talking about websites I was wondering exactly what a proxy server is, what it does, what the purpose of it is, and an example. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi,



In computer networks, a proxy server is a server (a computer system or an application program) that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. A client connects to the proxy server, requesting some service, such as a file, connection, web page, or other resource, available from a different server. The proxy server evaluates the request according to its filtering rules. For example, it may filter traffic by IP address or protocol. If the request is validated by the filter, the proxy provides the resource by connecting to the relevant server and requesting the service on behalf of the client. A proxy server may optionally alter the client's request or the server's response, and sometimes it may serve the request without contacting the specified server. In this case, it 'caches' responses from the remote server, and returns subsequent requests for the same content directly.



Arnak

Answer 2

A proxy server is a server located in a different part of the world than you. If you use a proxy server it means your internet signal will go through the proxy, pick up all their information, and then go to whatever it is you were doing. This allows people to search the internet anonymously if they are worried about others getting a hold of their IP address.



But if using a proxy be careful and make sure you use a reliable one because if you are doing something that requires a login all of your information goes through them and some proxies are out there simply to gather other peoples information and steal it.

Answer 3

An example of a proxy server is a server someone connects to to go out to the internet. The proxy would have its own settings and would mask the users actuall IP with an IP given out by the proxy server. The practical use of a Proxy server is mainly for businesses. They can direct all of their employees connections through the proxy to go out to the internet and control what they are and are not allowed to go to by placing resrictions on the proxy server. People that use them outside of business are generaly using them because they have been IP banned from a website/service and its a way around that. This doesnt mean that their account is still available for use at that website or service because any smart admin would ban that account and the IP adress.

Answer 4

It goes to the Internet on your behalf. The purpose is for safety and speed.

After it retrieves a Web page for you, it then caches (keeps a copy of) what it downloaded so that the next time you or someone else on your network asks for that content, it passes it to you immediately (instead of going to Internet and waiting for it to download). Caching the content allows it deliver your Web page faster.

It's also a security thing. By going out to the Web on your behalf, it's shielding you from a direct connection. Proxy servers can be configured to block or reject certain types of content, protocols, ports, etc.