Myspace Proxy

When most people hear the word Myspace proxy, the first thing that comes to their minds is teens and tweens trying to access Myspace from school computers that block it. While a Myspace proxy can fill that function, it's hardly the main point of a Myspace proxy. Here are some of the most frequent questions I get asked about Internet proxies.

What is a Myspace proxy?

A proxy server is a computer that allows clients to use their computer network service to make indirect network connections to other network services. In simpler terms, it acts as a filter between your computer and the sites you want to access. A Myspace proxy is a service that handles your request to access Myspace, from wherever you are. In addition, since it is basically accessing the Web for you, it disguises your computer so that it is (more or less) unidentifiable. It also bypasses blocked sites and Internet filters (more on that later).

Why would anyone want to use a Myspace proxy?

Well, there are a number of reasons. First of all, proxies are not only used to access Myspace. They can be used to access any online site. For example: Let's say that you work in online advertising, and you live in Paris. In order to make your advertising more effective, you want to check out the Google ads that appear in the US. But you can't, because Google identifies your computer as located in Paris. What do you do? You access the Internet using a proxy, and you get the information you need.

There are various reasons why someone might need to disguise his or her computer when accessing Myspace - and not only in order to surf it from a computer with a filter! Here are some of them:

Laptop users. People who work constantly with laptops can find themselves working from places like airports and Internet cafes, which are not the most secure locations to be hooking your computer up with. Using a proxy provides the perfect solution because no one can identify your personal computer.

Employers. Increasingly, employers are using Myspace to check up on potential employees. Now, many offices have set their computers to block Myspace, in order to prevent employees from wasting time on the job by accessing Myspace. However, this employer has a legitimate reason for accessing Myspace while on the job. How can he check out this interviewee if all the office computers block Myspace? You got it - a proxy.

School administrators. Much like employers, both high school and college administrators are using Myspace to do background checks on students who have applied to their schools. However, many schools have blocked Myspace from their computers. Again, the solution is a Myspace proxy.

What about using Myspace proxies to access Myspace from computers that have filtered it out?

Let's talk about that for a minute.

Like I said earlier, when most people hear about Myspace proxies, their first association is of young people using them to bypass computers that have blocked Myspace access. And, undeniably, getting around workplaces and schools that have blocked Myspace is definitely one major reason why people use Myspace proxies.

Is there any risk of getting found out?

While it is difficult to discover whether someone on a particular computer has been accessing the Internet via proxy, it is NOT impossible. Most schools today have computer instructors who are real computer experts, and most offices have a computer genius on staff whose job, among other things, is to make sure that employees are not goofing off in cyberspace. Besides manually running routine checks on all computers, more and more schools and places of business are installing software that remotely checks exactly which websites each computer is visiting - and in realtime. Thus, not only can you get caught, you can get caught red-handed. So don't do anything stupid that could cost you dearly in the future, and fight the temptation to surf forbidden websites using an Internet proxy.

Are there any other risks associating with using proxy servers?

Actually, yes. You must make sure that the proxy server you're using is one of known integrity. That means that the owner is known and trusted, and has a clear privacy policy. The reason this is so important is that, since all information from your computer passes through the proxy, a malicious proxy server can use private information to invade your computer and wreak havoc on its hard drive. And not only can your computer be at risk, you can, too. If private information on how to contact you gets into the hands of a malicious proxy server, it can lead to cyber-stalking. This is a particular problem for young people, who are vulnerable to pedophiles and child predators. So never, but never, use a proxy server of unknown integrity. If, for whatever reason, you have no choice but to use an unknown proxy server, do NOT pass any private information through it.

I hope this answers all your questions about Internet proxies. If you have any more, please don't hesitate to email me, and I'll try to answer you as best I can. In the meantime, take care, and happy surfing!