Question

What is a proxy server?

Hint:

A proxy server acts as a gateway between you and the internet, improving security by hiding your IP address, enhancing performance by caching frequently accessed resources, and providing content filtering to block unwanted sites or services.

Answer 1

A Proxy Server is an intermediary server that sits between a client and a destination server. It forwards requests from the client to the destination server and then returns the response to the client. Proxy servers are commonly used to improve security, manage network traffic, and anonymize the client's identity.
Key Functions of a Proxy Server: Security & Privacy:
Proxy servers can hide the client's IP address, providing anonymity and privacy.
- Content Filtering: Proxies can block or filter content based on certain criteria, like URL or IP address.
- Caching: Proxy servers can store frequently requested resources (like web pages) to reduce network latency and improve performance.
- Access Control: Proxies can be used to restrict access to certain websites or services based on IP addresses, protocols, or other factors.
Example:
When you visit a website, your request is sent to the proxy server, which forwards it to the actual web server. The web server responds to the proxy, which then sends the response to you. This can help with load balancing and security.