Using proxies

Bladerunner · #1 (**permalink**) 08-23-10, 07:43

I hear that there are advantages and disadvantages to the use of proxies but to be honest the issue confuses me a little. Why would a legitimate client or business wish to do this? Am I missing something?

Mitchel_B3ll · #2 (**permalink**) 09-23-10, 00:55

I guess it depends on what you are using the proxy for. Are you using it to connect out with your computer, like a shield, or as a portal to visit certain sites? I know that paypal will ban certain legitimate businesses from using their services, so the business will run their cart through a proxy so that clients may use paypal when purchasing to feel secure.

carl owen · #3 (**permalink**) 09-23-10, 20:21

Proxy is basically used to show that you are operating from a different Country/Region than the actual Country/Region you are operating from.

For example, if you live in the US but want to choose hosting services in the UK and you are aware of the fact that the hosting provider from whom you wish to purchase services offers services to UK based clients only, you may use a UK Proxy to assure the hosting provider that you are a UK based client ;)

Though, this is not the only reason one uses a Proxy. You may also use a Proxy for some illegal activities or if you are worried about your original IP address being blocked by some provider or for some other reason.

I hope this helps

RicherdsFi · #4 (**permalink**) 10-11-10, 08:59

Also, sometimes a proxy is used to protect a users privacy and surfing habits. It makes it difficult for sites to tell where you are coming from to perhaps tailor ads, charge higher or lower prices, track usage or break through the tin foil hat. ;) There are privacy tradeoffs with this use though.

Mitchel_B3ll · #5 (**permalink**) 10-17-10, 23:46

RicherdsFi, Can you elaborate on the type of privacy tradeoffs that you are talking about? I think its a helpful discussion for people to have so they know the pros and cons.

11anais · #6 (**permalink**) 10-19-10, 19:01

If I can chime in, I would say some of those hazards are though, even though a proxy hides your location, the information you send has to go through a lot more channels and you don't always know if you can trust proxy nodes.

carl owen · #7 (**permalink**) 10-19-10, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11anais

If I can chime in, I would say some of those hazards are though, even though a proxy hides your location, the information you send has to go through a lot more channels and you don't always know if you can trust proxy nodes.

Correct. Proxies cannot be trusted and it is advised that one shouldn't use proxy especially when he/she has an intention to perform a transaction on the internet by Internet banking, Credit card, Payment gateways etc. as the information entered can be saved on the Proxy server and can later be used for some illegal purpose.

Katie9 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-27-10, 01:18

I don't see any advantage of proxy here. even if you try to order a product with the proxy, it will mostly not go through.

Mitchel_B3ll · #9 (**permalink**) 10-29-10, 23:24

How proxies are used due to the paypal restrictions are by the sites not consumer's themselves. So the proxy is registered with paypal, the site sends the customer to the proxy or through the proxy and after the transaction is completed then the customer is brought back to the site in question. I've definitely seen this done with sites that sell things that pay-pal bans but they feel shouldn't be banned.

AbbieGirl · #10 (**permalink**) 10-31-10, 23:38

Is it allowed to use paypal proxy then from the un authorized countries?