Can Proxy Servers Truly Protect Your Identity?

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SUMMARY

Proxy servers can provide a degree of anonymity, but they do not guarantee complete protection of your identity. The effectiveness of a proxy server in safeguarding personal information depends on its type and configuration. For example, The Onion Router (Tor) utilizes encrypted communication to enhance anonymity, while compromised machines can be exploited by hackers to mask their activities. Users should be aware that their identity can still be traced back through various methods, and relying solely on proxies for illegal activities is ill-advised.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of proxy server types (e.g., transparent, anonymous, elite)
  • Knowledge of The Onion Router (Tor) and its functionality
  • Familiarity with IP address tracing techniques
  • Basic concepts of online anonymity and privacy
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the differences between various proxy server types and their security implications
  • Learn about the architecture and operation of The Onion Router (Tor)
  • Explore methods for IP address tracing and how to mitigate them
  • Investigate best practices for maintaining online anonymity
USEFUL FOR

Individuals concerned about online privacy, cybersecurity professionals, and anyone interested in the implications of using proxy servers for anonymity.

justwild
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Well a common question arises out of my mind that Local IP addresses assigned by ISP are stored...that's ok...But happens when I connect myself to a Proxy server...My identity is protected..isn't it...So even if I do something wrong I won't be prosecuted as because the convict is the proxy server and prosecuting them would be another problem as they belong to different nation...What do you people say?
 
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I say that if you are planning on doing something illegal, this forum is not the place to get advice about it.
 
justwild said:
Well a common question arises out of my mind that Local IP addresses assigned by ISP are stored...that's ok...But happens when I connect myself to a Proxy server...My identity is protected..isn't it...

There's no such guarantee and depends on the proxy. There are many ways in which your identity can leak and allow the proxied requests to be traced back to you.
 
phinds said:
I say that if you are planning on doing something illegal, this forum is not the place to get advice about it.

I am not...I am just thinking how vulnerable the system is...
 
justwild said:
I am not...I am just thinking how vulnerable the system is...

Anonymity is not a vulnerability of the system, it's a feature that many are actually fighting to protect.

It's also nothing new, for instance The Onion Router forwards requests through member nodes using encrypted communication to not only hide the source address but to reduce or eliminate traceability.

Additionally, hackers often use compromised machines as proxies for further attacks, for the same reason.
 

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