It is good to know more advantages that can come from using an anonymous proxy, specifically to bypass filters. Aside from speed, it also blocks much of the spyware and junk that is sent to your computer. This saves you from the common problems that users come across. While this can be solved by using technical skill, it is very burdensome to encounter this problem repeatedly.

With an anonymous proxy, your personal information is better protected. From experience, once personal information is gathered by sites, it can be used for marketing purposes. You can be saved from a lot of trouble because with an anonymous proxy, websites can no longer have access to your personal information.

By policy, some corporations, institutions and schools use filters to block users from viewing certain sites. Using an anonymous proxy, this filter can be easily bypassed. This process has two essential steps. The anonymous proxy downloads the site onto its server. Then, the user can download the “blocked” site from the proxy server to his or her browser, thus getting around the “wall”.

Problems with slow-loading websites can be easily solved with an anonymous proxy. There are times when the problem is not in the web hosting company. Some users, especially those with some technical expertise, would even change their DNS server address but still can’t load the site faster. Then, the real problem is identified – the internet provider itself, due to bandwidth or network related problems. This is not a problem if you just use a proxy server.

The use of a proxy server is not yet well-known among many internet users. A lot of users have the wrong notion that it requires some special skills to successfully take advantage of its value. There is a need for users to learn more about it. People knowledgeable in the use of proxy servers can help educate by sharing their experiences about its benefits. Very soon, more people will know about its good uses and apply it to their advantage.

Reacting to the foregoing statement, one critic reacted by saying that this kind of argument is not only wrong, but also dangerous. He admitted that in many ways, anonymity protects different groups of the population. He added that anonymity is also prone to abuses by some, particularly those who are spreading “vitriolic bile” without limits. Granting that this is true, it is not enough reason to entirely ban online anonymity. Recent surveys reveal that many online newspapers have established policies regarding this issue, while others have entirely banned this freedom.

Those who propose its banning rationalize that everyone should maintain online civility. While all newspapers should try to work on this issue, there is more to being identified online than just by one’s name. Those who work against anonymity said that identification will minimize online problems. However, this will discourage a lot of people from speaking their minds for the fear of retribution. They also pointed out that history has a lot to tell of anonymous men and women whose writings made great contributions to society.

A speaker or writer whose right to remain anonymous has been taken away cannot participate well in a democratic discourse. Detested individuals will have no defense from reprisal in the present, narrow-minded society. Nameless small groups will not be able to condemn oppressive practices and policies, or a victim of domestic violence will not be able to find help.

What can reduce the problem of breeding online garbage due to anonymous comments is moderation. This simple method has remained useful since the early days of newspapers, and will still be effective these days. Online newspapers can still use this classic “tool” to preserve civility while not obstructing the person’s right to remain anonymous.

This situation happened recently with a couple of high school football players. When they joined the team, they signed a contract with their coach saying that they would always abstain from drugs and alcohol and that they would maintain a good image, for their image reflected the entire football team’s. About halfway into the season, after a major and crushing victory, the team in question had a party to celebrate. The football players who had previously signed the contract started drinking, and actually ended up getting pulled over for underage drinking and driving under the influence. The coach immediately, even though they were the star players, cut them from the team. Ever since, many jokes and puns have been made about the team and their partying habits; they could never be taken seriously again.

While these players directly violated a contract they had forged with their coach who had trusted them, often times the circumstances have some mitigating factors that are rarely considered. Whether or not this is the case is not important, it is the principle of the matter. While these guys did something wrong, many people are illegally “searched” via their computers every day for information.

While the Patriot Act is something started by the government, spy ware is not. These programs are used by hackers who are trying to break into your system for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they want to find out what you do in your spare time, try and steal personal information from you, or try and find something to incriminate you with. Don’t let these hackers hurt your reputation unjustifiably; use an anonymous proxy server and browse anonymously to prevent being hacked and stolen from. These criminals are skilled and it will take more than average defenses to keep them out, but an anonymous proxy server will do the job and then some.

The demand for Internet privacy got to be so strong, that there began to be a market for it. People would pay for the services they provide, and would do so willingly. At first, these companies charged ridiculous amounts for their services, but today they are often dirt cheap.

Anonymous Proxy usage became more and more important. These are programs or web sites that actually alter your IP address, which is a virtual nametag showing location, browsing history, etc. The programs then allow you to surf on their encrypted networks to be sure all of your information is encoded upon you sending it. Then, they actually go and retrieve the websites you wish to visit for you, allowing you to bypass blocks set on work and school computers (or possibly an oppressive government) and enjoy the sites you want to. They will allow no traces of data such as cookies or cache to stay on your computer, allowing no one to see your browsing session. All your employer or teacher would see is the name of the anonymous proxy over and over and over again. If this isn’t good enough for you, professional fee-based proxies offer a “delete session information” function that completely deletes history of your browsing for that session, leaving no traces anywhere.

There are two major types of proxies; a software based proxy and a web based proxy. We’ll focus on the web based one first.

The web proxy is activated by going to the proxy site. From there you put in the site you wish to visit, and your IP address is changed and you are now anonymous. These are often free and are readily available on the Internet. These will also help you get by those filtering site programs at your work or school. These have some downfalls though; they are often very slow, can be unsecure, and are very finicky. First, you are traveling on one network with many different people, and using a lot of bandwidth. This makes you travel quite slow. Then, who knows if these web proxies are scams or not? Bandwidth costs lots of money, web proxies use a lot, and keep in mind the owner of the proxy can still see all of your data. Maybe they dip into some customer’s unknowing bank accounts to extract some money…

A fee based software proxy is a much better bet. These offer all the advantages of a web-based proxy, but are often lightening fast, much more secure, and offer encryption services, which are essential to true Internet security.

The decision is obvious, and the real-world axiom applies in the world of privacy as well. Web proxies are okay to use on a public computer, but definitely not for home use. Using a fee-based anonymous proxy can keep you completely safe and ensure anonymous browsing while online; and you don’t have to break the bank!