Proxy Server Definition A (web) application proxy is a more advanced type of a proxy server that is mainly used to improve on the performance of services and reaction time which will be aimed speciﬁcally to services oﬀered by web servers. It makes use of ﬁlters and also handles incoming and outgoing traﬃc of the computer. The typical implementation is a caching proxy server implementing PS, Squid, and similar applications which clients request resources as static ones. Proxy Servers and Network Security A proxy enhances the security of a computer. By acting as a web-filter or a firewall, it blocks potential threats that come through the network such as malware. Additionally, this kind of higher security is applied with the use of a web secure gateway or other e-mail security products. Basically, it means that it becomes possible to sort out data that is safe and to regulate the traffic within the network or within the certain computers. In what ways can a proxy be beneficial? Most people prefer using proxies for purposes so basic as hiding their IP; and let’s say it’s when they are streaming movies. Whereas for an organization it can be in accomplishing several very necessary and important tasks like the following: ● Ensuring security ● Preventing monitoring attempts from other individuals especially employees internet usage. ● Though, it’d be a good idea to ensure that internet usage is controlled so as not to have the website accessed by all the employees and especially where counseling services are rendered during working hours. ● It may be necessary to restrict streaming video in corporate networks to prevent congesting the available bandwidth. How a Proxy Works The interaction with the internet, however, is not direct due to the presence of a `proxy` server which has its separate IP. Such `proxy` duo has a structure as a resolver server, translating one type of URL to another. This means that when you make a URL request, your browser transmits the traffic on the network and when the network reaches the server, your original URL is converted to an internal URL and forwarded via an auto-generated translation table to the requested address OPAC. How to Get a Proxy There are hardware and software versions of proxies. Hardware connections are inserted within your Settings over the Internet, for data obtained, transmitted and transmitted over the network to the internet. The software proxies, however, are usually achieve by provider hosting or within a cloud. These requires installation of software on your computer for accessing the proxy. Software proxies are easily accessible and can sometimes be acquired for a fee that is paid monthly. Quite often, they are available free of charge. The free plans tend to have fewer addresses for users and may limit the number of users to a few devices while the paid intermediaries can handle a number of devices of a large business.