Comments to Does A Proxy Server Keep Me Anonymous On The Internet?2008-05-13T06:42:21-07:00Practical Ecommerceinfo@practicalecommerce.comhttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/Copyright 2007 Confluence Publishing DBA Practical EcommercefindingLHshttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment104522008-05-13T06:42:21-07:00How about if I ask my friend to open an account under his name, his credit card...and he allows me to use it (even from Hong Kong)...then we don't need to do some much right? Of course the thing required is 'trust'xXatticus182Xxhttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment102432008-05-09T18:25:20-07:00Is it there a way to find out if someone is using a proxy or not? Games do not allow to make multi accounts, but some people use proxy servers to change their IP. Is there a way to identify if one is using a proxy or not by their IP?Mem Sahibhttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment46162008-01-09T02:43:24-07:00The person who doesn't want to be "followed " around on the NET by anyone-would do well to use someone else's resources to look around. Probably the "best" way. That said-I do NOT do that-but I do "Anonymize the ISP location when I "surf.")
Not everyone who wants to look around without "saying" WHO they are is criminal! How Stupid that assertion really is. I am a housewife. Is THAT a criminal endeavor? Lol! I just happen to want to look around at some websites and NOT have them "spam" the hell out of me-etc., or divulge my really harmless hobbies.
I do not look at anything except a particular bunch of ninnies who quite ludicrously persist in thinking they are potential Best-Seller Writers. I enjoy "popping" in to check out their latest pretentious offerings. (Sorry to disappoint! Definitely NOT a Criminal act). Jameshttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment41122007-11-16T04:02:34-07:00 A lot of the above comments are mis-informed. It is true that through the use of Tor some anonymity can be achieved; however the many servers that are utilized in the process do not encrypt. Thus, passwords, etc, can be stolen. A user hoping to utilize simple things like an email program or access a credit card account would be better to use simple encryption such as is already offered by most mainstream browsers and Internet Providers.
Secondly, it should be stated that proxify, etc, do not entirely hide I.P. to the diligent hacker.
What needs to be emphasized is that there are practical uses of proxies and network solutions such as Tor, however they do not match, for example, a government funded researcher doing work to, say, discover a terror threat. While it may be possible for people to "for all practical purposes" be anonymous, other attempts such as using Tor could do exactly the opposite.
I hope this clears up some confusion.
Michallehttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment40062007-11-02T08:24:04-07:00Someone give list of proxy websites.. stop this discussion.whttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment33812007-07-27T10:28:25-07:00I had a question, does ISP know which site you surf if you are surfing thru proxy? I know ISP can get log from proxy to find out that information what I want to know is if they can find out without getting the information from the proxy server?guesthttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment32312007-07-04T23:31:02-07:00so does Tor actually work to keep you, "more" anonymous?Bobhttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment26532007-05-30T10:06:31-07:00I agree with Deny. Everyone in our school is in a computer class with no work to do and the school blocks some sites that are not school related; they even block proxies. FBIhttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment19942007-05-14T06:14:25-07:00The original author is correct. The FBI regularly gets logs from Anonymizer.com and every other so call anonimty service. Search Google for "FBI" and "Anonymizer.com". Let's face it - police are here to look after us and fight crime, and pretty much everyone who wants anonymity is doing something wrong - so sites that run these dubious services will be well used to one of either (A) handing over logs, or (B) spending time in prison. You can pretty much guarantee that (B) doesn't occur, or else the sites would not exist for long.
Almost every proxy in existence is *not* anonymous. The proxy software sends through your true IP address to the server.
Proxies are widely abused for spamming and crime - as soon as someone puts one up and people start using it - it gets "taken down" very quickly - within 24 hours usually. Because of this - it's almost impossible to construct proxy chains, so the only people who do this are the hardcore hackers engaged in very serious crimes -...traeh namhttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment17342007-04-30T18:34:28-07:00I'm interested in Internet anonymity because I'm involved with creating a website that criticizes jihadists and Islam. I'm curious about how much security and anonymity a proxy server can give me and my family from having our location discovered by jihadist hackers (there are a growing number of them). You say there is no real anonymity, because the proxy server, at least, usually gets your IP address. I suppose there are also other security breach possibilities. So is the idea that the Internet permits safe free speech then really an illusion? Are there no real refuges for Salman Rushdies and Theo Van Goghs, etc., except police protection? If so, that is very depressing...Hansonhttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment11132007-04-07T00:38:03-07:00All I know, are, proxies are very profitable, and some kids use them to access myspace from school or unblock websites. :)Denyhttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment9752007-03-25T09:11:10-07:00After interesting article from Brian, and, as one of the creators of already mentioned site Proxyblind.org, I would like to elaborate on the meaning of word "anonymous."
Almost all connections made on the net through proxy servers can be traced back if they are logged by the servers and if admin decided to keep logs.
If someone (for example, state authorities) decide to trace you back, he/she can contact the administrator of the proxy server and ask for information or simply seize the server to investigate.
Then came in the game some very smart people who make it very difficult (do not want to say almost impossible) to trace using proxy chaining.
What is proxy chaining? It is using a couple of proxy servers in chain:
Your PC ---> ISP ---> proxy 1 ---> socks 2 ---> proxy 3 ---> proxy 4 ---> final destination site
What is the point of chaining?
The point is to use proxies from different countries before you reach your final destination. For...annahttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment7912007-03-12T10:56:57-07:00About those services that offer private browsing: how private or anonymous is one who surfs the web? Does the proxy keep a record of the person's ip address even though he/she uses the private service? Will the respective proxy give that kind of information to whoever wants it?Jebhttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment5612007-02-28T12:04:37-07:00There's anonymity if you surf via someone else's wireless connection.Alexhttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment4842007-02-24T09:03:29-07:00I don't think the ability to surf while staying unknown is what people looking for a proxy is really after, after all if your trying to stay unknown then you've something to hide. If you've something to hide, your probably breaking the law. I'm pretty sure proxy servers are useless if the host is using Java because I recall reading that Java tries to take the shortest possible route and not one planned out — i.e it will not necessarily go through the proxy. (Something like that don't quote me on it). The reason the majority want a proxy is to get through those filters (probably those naughty school children who don't realize they'll seriously regret messing around in school 5-10 year down the line when they can't get a job, or they can but it's a dead-end factory job because they got rubbish grades, because they wasted their time playing games or browsing myspace).Brian Gettinghttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment4712007-02-23T13:23:18-07:00I should probably clarify the difference between "privacy" and "anonymity" when it comes to browsing the Internet. There are many services that offer "private" browsing, such as those mentioned in the above comments. However, that is a very different thing from "anonymity." The ability to go online and do whatever you want without anyone finding out is a hard-earned skill.
Keep in mind that, when it comes to making statements, I will usually air on the side of conservative to avoid liability issues. If you do something illegal online with the thought that a proxy server will shield you from prosecution, you are mistaken. That was simply my point.JimmyJackFunk21http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment4692007-02-23T13:10:14-07:00I disagree with the assertion that there is no such thing as anonymity in web surfing. Anonymizer.com offers it. It is an originator of it, and it has never been breached. Its security suites include anti-pharming, anti-spam and anti-phishing capabilities. Definitely worth checking out.Kerry Langstaffhttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment4112007-02-21T21:05:34-07:00Dear Mr. Getting, I would like to offer another response to the recent question in your Tech Support column about anonymizing proxy servers. Many websites are turning to a technology known as “geolocation” which makes it possible to know the geographic location of its website visitors – even those trying to hide behind proxy servers.
Geolocation technology uses Internet infrastructure information to determine the geographic location of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses associated with Internet-connected devices. This can be used, for example, by online gambling sites to determine the location of would-be betters in order to comply with national, as well as local laws or by ecommerce sites to compare the bill-to and ship-to address with the buyer’s actual location to prevent fraud.
Public-source geolocation data, widely available in the industry, can help identify the location of IP addresses at the country, state and city levels. However often the IP location is not...Craighttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment2752007-02-10T07:08:40-07:00Can you comment on Privoxy?Bryanhttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/408/Does-A-Proxy-Server-Keep-Me-Anonymous-On-The-Internet/#comment2622007-02-08T07:22:41-07:00You really should mention the Tor. Tor is software that creates a proxy to various Tor servers. These servers use cryptography to create forward secrecy between routers. Your information is bounced through a series of routers and finally is routed to its destination. The end connection only sees the last router information. The Tor network includes servers in many different countries, many of which have stricter privacy laws. For more information see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tor_(anonymity_network)