1. Web Proxy – A web proxy focuses on traffic over the World Wide Web. Many times these proxies are used by schools, countries, or corporations to block offensive web content, or to simply control their clients access to the internet.

2. Anonymous Proxy – Anonymous proxies are used to remove identifying information from a client request. An example of this would be a proxy that allows you access to Myspace while you are at work.

3. Caching Proxy – Caching proxies can send the client their request without contacting the remote server. It does this by using information that has been sent to the remote server before. This can cut down on time for requests sent.

4. Forced Proxy – A forced proxy server handles all of the requests from the client to the internet. Hence the name forced. Many times the client will not even know they are using a proxy.

5. Open Proxy – An open proxy is a proxy that allows anybody to connect to and use. Open proxies can also be exploited and misused by spammers. For this reason some websites will not allow traffic to their servers from known open proxies.

As you can see proxies have many benefits and can be used in various different ways. The best way to become familiar with proxies is to try them yourself so you may have a better understanding of what they do and how they work.

Written by Jason Bryant