Proxy.md

Proxy

Proxy Server

Device/Service which acts as intermediate gateway by which one device can interact with other ones is called as a Proxy

• Proxy server provides anonymity to both the sender and receiver
• Used to hide IP address
• Used by network admins to ban certain websites
• Used by developers for troubleshooting
• Used by developers to reduce traffic on server

Configuring a Proxy

Way 1: Sending traffic of one browser tab through a proxy
Way 2: Sending all browser tabs to a proxy
Way 3: Browser plug-in based proxy

Understanding the Way 1: Send traffic of one browser tab through a proxy

1. Install a proxy(e.g. Free web proxy - hideMe)

• Advantages:
  a. No setup required, easy to use
  b. No browser
  c. Options to change countries on the fly

• Disadvantages:
  a. Lots of ads(with free ones)
  b. Untrusted and unsafe
  c. Keeps complete logs
  d. Slow speed
  e. Not suitable

Understanding the Way 2: Sending all browser tabs to proxy

1. Install ProxyNova
2. Go to Browser Settings >> Advanced >> Proxy Settings >> Connections >> LAN Settings
3. Common software examples,
   a. Burp Suite
   b. OWASP ZAP

• Advantages:
  a. No need to setup proxy on every tab
  b. Can pick servers by anonymity

• Disadvantages:
  a. Slightly complicated to setup
  b. IPs need to be changes frequently
  c. No speed
  d. No guarantee of anonymity
  e. Only works with standardbrowsers

Understanding the Way 3: Browser plug-in based proxy

1. Install FoxyProxy
2. Anonymox

• Advantage: Provide option to change IP address for anonymity