Stealing From Far Away
Some believe that a proxy server is the cure-all solution to internet privacy problems. If it is used correctly, and the proxy is a reliable one, then this is a true statement. Oftentimes though, if a criminal proxy is selected, this can be the end of your internet anonymity.
Internet crime has skyrocketed. The ability to commit crimes on the web is a much safer alternative than actually breaking into someone’s house and stealing. This way, the criminal can’t be caught at the crime scene; he is countries away!
The ability to commit crime and steal people’s information on the Internet is simple. For example, viewing somebody’s public FaceBook or Myspace profile is bound to net you all sorts of useful information about them; location, pictures, affiliations, school, etc. It’ll just be a short time before their Social Security Number is posted on their profile for everyone to swoon over and leave comments on.
The point is, the Internet makes it way to easy for criminals. Most of your surfing is done with simple HTTP requests, which is completely readable; not encrypted whatsoever. If they can’t get you this way, they turn to their next cultural meme for advice: “If you build it, they will come.” If they start a proxy server, millions of surfers will flock in to seek anonymity while browsing the web.
That was a critical mistake. Instead of hiding their information, they pretty much left it on the hacker’s doorstep, tied in a pretty bow. The owner of a proxy can see all of the sensitive information that flows through it, and if the owner is an identity thief…. You get the idea.
You know the old saying “nothing in this world is free”? Well, that could be altered to be a bit more accurate: “nothing GOOD in this world is free”. There are free proxy servers out there, but unless you want to be the next true story in an identity theft article, you should just pay the minimal monthly fee and get the security of a true elite anonymous proxy.
