This can be found at http://digitalzen.org/tutorials/web-based-proxies.html as of 111-29-03
- Tutorial: Web Based Proxies
---What is A Web Based Proxy---
First of all, let’s start out by defining what a proxy is. A proxy is a machine that is between an originating machine and a destination machine. As you (hopefully) already know, each and every machine on the web has its own unique IP (Internet Protocol) address, which is assigned by the ISP (Internet Service Provider). So, when someone is using a web based proxy, they are the origin. By using a proxy the user will mask their IP from sites that they are visiting, and thereby provide themselves with anonymity. Some proxies cache web pages, thereby increasing load speeds as the page is not downloaded every time it is viewed (they usually update at regular intervals).
Example:
<User >---------------<Proxy>----------------<Destination>
<User’s IP>----------<Proxy’s IP>---------<Destination’s Logs>
As the above indicates, the destination will not see the user’s IP as the proxy machine is the machine logging into the destination, not the user’s machine.
---Authenticating A Proxy---
Many of the proxies a user will come across will be outdated and dead. Thus, one needs to be able to bypass all the ‘dead’ proxies in order to save time. A program that is very useful for this is MultiProxy™.
Using MultiProxy a user can import a *.txt list of proxies that has been created and then proceed to “Check All Proxies” via the application. Once MultiProxy has completed its check, the user can delete all non-responding proxies, then export the revised proxy list out to a *.txt file to save for a backup if so desired. The remaining proxies should all have green circles next to them, thus indicating a functioning proxy. There is much more to this program, and perhaps I will write a future article on its finer functions.
---Using a Proxy---
Most applications that access the internet will have an option to use a proxy somewhere. Once you find it the rest is fairly self explanatory. The proxy’s address goes in the ‘Address’ bar and the port number goes in the ‘Port’ bar.
When finding proxies on the web, most will be displayed in a manner similar to this:
---------IP--------Port--
123.456.789.100:8080
And this is how it should appear in the application’s options:
Address: 123.456.789.100
Port: 8080
---How To Tell If A Proxy Is Anonymous---
Note that not all proxies will facilitate the above. Those proxies are commonly known as “Transparent” proxies. This means that they forward some or all of the user’s information to the destination. When striving for anonymity it is important to ensure that you find proxies that are “Anonymous” or defined as “High Anonymity.” Also remember to test these for yourself. All Net-Tools (http://www.all-nettools.com/tools1.htm) has a proxy checker that will let you know if you are running a transparent proxy or not. Bear in mind, however, that even if no proxy is detected (meaning it’s an anonymous proxy), it may not be totally anonymous. Sites that run Java Scripts can still see through proxies. I am unsure as to how they do this, but when I learn about it I will publish an update.
---Chaining Proxies---
A method that allows for increased security is a technique called “chaining.” In this method there are multiple proxies between a user and a destination.
Example:
<User >----------<Proxy One>----------<Proxy Two>-----------<Destination>
<User’s IP>----<Proxy One’s IP>-----<Proxy Two’s IP>----<Destination’s Logs>
Proxies can be used in chains that are as short or as long as you would like. The generic syntax for chaining proxies is similar to this:
Address: 123.456.789.124:80 987.654.321.237
Port: 8000
In the above, there are two proxy addresses and two port numbers.
Proxy one is 123.456.789.124 and the port that it is on is port 80
Proxy two is 987.654.321.237 and it is on port 8000
They are separated with a ‘space.’
That is the most typical manner of importing proxies using windows based GUI applications as far as I have seen.
Also, when chaining proxies, remember to pay attention to politics as connecting through countries with political tension will decrease the chance that the requesting government can get the logs within any reasonable time, and if they have to trace multiple hops a proxy may have already deleted its logs before they can get them. If this occurs, odds are, it will end their search.
*Proxy Chaining in Internet Explorer*
I posted this some time ago on the Blackcode forums (http://www.blackcode.com/). It was posted here (http://www.blackcode.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4187).
However I will include it in this article.
HowTo: Proxy Chain In Internet Explorer 6.0.29 -Walkthrough-
Under Tools/Internet Options/Connections/LAN Settings/Proxy Server
In the address bar, type <Proxy IP>:<Port> <Proxy IP>:<Port>. Make sure you separate each pair with a space. And remember that the last port in the proxy chain string must go in the port box of the IE proxy settings..
Say I wanted to use the following IPs:
Address: 216.148.246.133
Port: 8000
Address: 128.32.56.100
Port: 8000
Address: 206.105.71.2
Port: 80
Here's the method for IE (All versions) and probably Netscape:
Address: 216.148.246.133:8000 128.32.56.100:8000 206.105.71.2
Port: 80
That's all there is to it. By the way, those are real proxies and they're working for me as of 12-06-02 @ 0545 PCT.
---Notes---
-Remember that setting a proxy in your web browser will only affect your web browser, nothing else. Each program that you wish to operate through a proxy must be set up individually.
-From my experience, a user cannot input the proxy(s) and port(s) directly into the URL address bar. It has to be done through the options (this applies for at least Internet Explorer on Windows XP).
-Normal proxies and SOCKS proxies are only compatible one way. Thus SOCKS proxies will work where one would input normal proxies, but not vice versa.
-Many proxies that I have come across limit navigation to within certain sites. Others have filters on “questionable material.” Simply filter through them and find the good ones, don’t waste too much time trying to get one to work. There are plenty more.
-Remember that laws regarding proxy use vary. Be sure to know the laws for where you are.
---Resources---
Here are a few sites that can get you started.
MultiProxy: Application and proxy list - http://multiproxy.org
Stealther: Application - http://stealther.com/
Blackcode: Proxy list - http://www.blackcode.com/proxy/
SamAir: Proxy list - http://www.samair.ru/proxy/
AtomInterSoft: Proxy list - http://www.atomintersoft.com/product...xy/proxy-list/
Free Public Proxy Server List - http://tools.rosinstrument.com/proxy/
Stay Invisible: Proxy List - http://www.stayinvisible.com/page1.html
All Net-Tools: Proxy tester - http://www.all-nettools.com/tools1.htm
That's it... "in a nutshell."
I hope it answered any questions you may have, and if not feel free to ask them.
-Zen
