What is a proxy servers?

Published on: March 04th, 2015

In a business a proxy server is typically used to pass all internet access through.  The proxy server provide multiple function.   Web sites that are commonly browsed are cached to the server making access to the sites faster.  Even with as fast as the internet has gotten accessing files from a local server is still way faster then dragging them out of the web.  Proxy servers can also be used to monitor what sites are being browse and to control or prevent access to sites that are dangerous or just not appropriate in the work place.  Schools might also use a proxy server similarly.

With everything that has a good use, someone always finds someway to use it for bad.

The bad thing is there some malware other that also uses proxy servers.  In this cases they are using the proxy server to redirect your browsing.  Instead of going to the site you intended they redirect you to a different site.  It might be a site that has more malware on it or simply on that they get paid from the advertiser on it.  It might just but a wrapper around the site you intent to go to – so that this site looks right but all the ads on the site are ones the malware maker get paid for versus the site owner.

Legitimate proxy servers tend to only be used in Larger maybe some medium sized business.  If your home or small business computer is set up to use a proxy server for browsing.  It is a good bet that you have malware.  Particularly if it will not let you change it or keeps coming back.