Proxy server benefits and highlights
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Ever wonder about the uses of a proxy server, or if it would be worth it to put on in place? There are several bits of functionality that can be leveraged by routing all your internet traffic through a proxy server. Most of these functional enhancements to web browsing come in the form of security: Anonymity, isolation and filtration.
In terms of anonymity, think of it like this: Even behind a firewall, web sites can still extract significant information about your end user and their computer. They can acquire your installed operating system, browser and potentially the IP scheme you use internally. A proxy server eliminates the possibility of any invasion of privacy and data collection that commonly happens when users visit most web sites.
Isolation means that the client workstations on your network do not make contact with machines outside your network. When a user enters a web address, the computer then forwards that request to your proxy server, not the web site directly. The proxy server then handles the communication with the external web site on behalf of the workstation, thus isolating it from contact with the outside world and possible harm.
Filtration is useful for controlling the content that flows into, and even out of, your network. A proxy server can be configured to monitor the data your users are able to access, both in terms of technical risk in viruses and spyware, and in legal risk in terms of the nature of the sites being visited. The proxy server can also be helpful in monitoring where users go, and in controlling the flow of sensitive data from inside the network to the outside world. The addition of a proxy server grants you several options for protecting, monitoring and controlling the data and systems that are the backbone of any corporate operation.
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