For some time now I've been trying to connect to the internet through a proxy server. I've been told loads of scary stories about anyone still being able to access my private stuff just by having my ip address even though I have a firewall. I found loads of different proxy addresses to try but none of them seem to work. I use XP and I have put the proxy's ip address into the proxy box and the port number. Am I missing something?
Can you tell us where you've heard this? As long as you keep Windows updated and are behind a good firewall or router then this shouldn't be a problem.
Here's one thing I found about after I was told: Each time you connect to the internet you subject your privacy to various risks. While firewalls and anti-virus programs help, they alone are not enough to protect you. Services have been designed to enhance your privacy allowing total and complete privacy in all popular online protocols. Identity protection has become extremely important! According to the FTC, over 10 million people became victims of identity theft last year alone. Protecting yourself against such threats and others, starts with good online protection. With ever increasing intrusions into our online and real life privacy, there is no better time to get serious and take control. Spam harvesting, Spy ware, hackers, identity theft, sophisticated "phishing" & pharming scams as well as ISP logging are just a few such intrusions can be prevented or avoided entirely. Is it really anyone's business what you do or where you go online? If this is not true, should I be worried about it and what is isp logging?
How much do you trust your ISP? Unless the proxy you're using is encrypted, the ISP can still see all of your traffic. How much do you trust the proxy server? Using a proxy is surfing through another computer. Whomever controlls the proxy has the ability to see everything you do through their proxy, as well as easily tamper with your traffic if they wanted to. Worst of all, there is no way to know if your proxy traffic has been tampered with. Many sites, such as Slashdot.org, block access from well-known proxy sites. So if you use an anonymous proxy, there are a lot of sites you won't be able to visit. Unless the proxy server is very fast and very close to you, chances are it's going to be much slower surfing through the proxy than not doing so. Many programs have difficulties using a proxy server, so certain apps may have problems.
AT is making some true, strong points. The most obvious is - If you trust the Germans (calm down guys - this was just a joke!) Have a look here: JAP -- ANONYMITY & PRIVACY
