Findproxy

As a general definition, we can describe proxies as applications used through a gateway to transmit packets of data between a client and a host that is not trusted, i.e. possibly not safe.

In corporations, proxies are used on servers and act much like telephone switches. Due to the fact that there can be hundreds of PC’s accessing the internet, IP addresses are allocated according to needs. That is, in order to reduce costs, many companies choose to have a certain amount of internet connections, but not one for each individual PC in the company. All PC’s are connected to the company’s proxy, and it distributes IP addresses as needed.

Apart from this function, proxy servers also act like firewalls in order to block any unwanted access to the company’s intranet. Through configuration of the proxy, the firewall can allow only certain information to reach the company and other restrictions of data transmission, both inbound and outbound. According to Microsoft, proxy servers can protect an intranet even better than a packet filtering router can.

Additionally, the proxy server can also cache some of the most commonly accessed websites from the company, which will save access time when that website is requested by employees.

In summary, proxies allow reliable, managed, shared, and fast access to the internet.