Using proxies on a network

[majestic]

Even though the network I'm on has a decent firewall and all I would still like to use a proxy server. I've tried this but the flow of traffic always seems interrupted.

Any ideas?

[noid]

well, the flow of traffic is going to be interupted, thats the nature of a proxy. However, with a decent proxy and low traffic it shouldnt be an issue. As far as freeware goodies go, look at Squid, it should do what you want.

[skroo]

Even though the network I'm on has a decent firewall and all I would still like to use a proxy server. I've tried this but the flow of traffic always seems interrupted.

I'm not quite sure of what you mean by this, but I'm assuming you're trying to get to a proxy outside of the firewall, and the proxy is on a port like 8000, 8080, 4000, 4001, etc. It's most likely that the firewall is blocking that port, thus preventing you from successfully connecting to the proxy.

Basically, you'll need to find a proxy that runs directly over port 80 (commonly left open), or ask the firewall's administrator to open up whatever port you're trying to access.

[majestic]

I am just very paranoid about my identity. Sure the firewall is a good preventative measure but still to close for comfort. I favor foriegn proxy servers.

Thanks for the help.

[skroo]

Sure the firewall is a good preventative measure but still to close for comfort. I favor foriegn proxy servers.

Just remember that a proxy server won't keep people out of your network - it may obfuscate where you're coming from, but a random attacker still has the exact same chance of getting inside it with or without the proxy. In short: a proxy server is not a defensive measure.

But if all you want is to cover your tracks a bit, then by all means go for it. Of course, unless you control the proxy yourself there's no guarantee that your traffic isn't being intercepted on it anyway (particularly if you do everything in cleartext).

[kallahar]

It depends on who you want to hide from. When I'm at work I open a SSH2 tunnel to my web host (you could easily get one in the netherlands). I have squid running there in no-cache mode, and I tunnel ICQ, IRC, web, FTP, etc through there. It means that my employers cannot snoop on my traffic, but any feds can easily go to the end point and tap it there.

If you need to hide from the authorities, you'll need an anonymous proxy such as anonymizer.com. Otherwise I'd suggest my way which is probably cheaper and offers you greater control (and choices)

[majestic]

I'm not hiding from anyone. I'm just really paranoid about my identity, pretty much like everyone else here. The more false info I can feed to ppl's various scanners and whatnot, the better I feel.

[lil_freak]

I'm not hiding from anyone. I'm just really paranoid about my identity, pretty much like everyone else here. The more false info I can feed to ppl's various scanners and whatnot, the better I feel.

Just remember one thing: The more paranoid you are the more likely you are at getting caught/found/identified.

[highwizard]

I'm not hiding from anyone. I'm just really paranoid about my identity, pretty much like everyone else here. The more false info I can feed to ppl's various scanners and whatnot, the better I feel.

But we all already know who you are, we were talking about it the other day.

[wyckedone]

Just find a good public proxy server to use. A lot of good ones are in Japan. Here's where you can find a list:

http://www.publicproxyservers.com/index.html

It list if they are annonymous or transparent and also what port they use.

[Mr. Peabody]

A proxy won't help you much for protecting your identity so much as it will only protect your IP from the websites you visit. It's kind of a hokey solution, but Norton Internet Security has a feature that will detect your conputer transmitting cleartext information based on your own filter rules, which you can use to prevent malicious or unwanted programs from transmitted information you deem as priveldged.