We use Proxy and VPN servers to help hide our location and secure the information that we send and receive from across the internet. Persons also use these servers to access websites in other countries that they are prevented from visiting within their own countries. With today’s technology, it is easy to setup Proxy or VPN services. And, this is why we should beware of the free Proxy and VPN services that we use on the internet, because cybercriminals do setup these servers to lure their potential victims to them, with the aim of stealing their personal, financial and other sensitive information.
What is a Proxy Server?
A Proxy Server is a computer or software program that stands between your computer and the internet. Every request to access the internet by your computer is sent through the Proxy Server.
So, if you want to go to www.onlinethreatalerts.com, your computer sends the request to the Proxy Server, which goes to www.onlinethreatalerts.com, fetches the information for this website and sends it back to your computer.
With a Proxy Server, the web pages that you visit will never be able to know your location, because the Proxy Server is fetching the pages for you. They will only be able to determine the location of the Proxy Server. This is how a Proxy Server can help hide your location.
Here is an example:
If you live in the United Kingdom and you use a Proxy Server located in the United States, the websites that you visit will not know that you are from United Kingdom, but will think you are from the United States.
This is because, the Proxy Server in the United States will receive your requests, fetches the websites for you and then send it back to you. Therefore, your computer will not directly go to the website that you are visiting. If someone is trying to trace your location, they will end up at the location of the Proxy Server.
What is a VPN server?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and is used to a make a secured connection to a network. A VPN server works like a Proxy Server, except that the connection from your computer to the VPN server is secured or encrypted. Some Proxy Servers may offer a secure connection, but the typical ones do not.
What are the Dangers of a Free Proxy and VPN servers?
A proxy or VPN server can monitor the information that it receives from your computer and the information that it fetches for you. So, if cybercriminals setup a malicious free Proxy or VPN server, and you decide to use it, they will be able to see the information that is being sent and received from your computer. This is because all your information passes through their Proxy or VPN servers.
Also, these cybercriminals can redirect you to malicious websites or trick you into downloading malicious programs, when you use their free Proxy or VPN servers.
Privacy is now a big issue on the internet, so persons feel safe when they browse the internet anonymously. But, beware of the free Proxy and VPN servers that you use, because you cannot tell who are operating them.use free Proxy and VPN servers that are well-known or research a server before you decide to use it.
Here are some of the best and trustworthy VPN service providers: