Anonymous proxy servers are third-party servers that act as a shield or mask for you as you surf online. Unlike an ordinary or transparent proxy, an anonymous proxy server hides your computer’s IP address from the sites you want it to retrieve data from. Your IP address is a unique number assigned to you by your Internet Service Provider each time you log on to it; it may be fixed or variable depending on your ISP and whether or not you run your own server.

There are various reasons why you might want to use anonymous proxy servers. You might want to send anonymous email, enjoy private surfing, gain access to restricted sites or protect yourself from spyware and malware.

Send Anonymous Email

For whatever reason, you may want to send e-mail without making your physical location known to the recipient. Maybe you’ve gone off to another state or country, but you need to check and answer mail. Or maybe you want to send an anonymous tip to authorities via e-mail. If you use a transparent server, a snoopy person can check your IP address with a little digging and find out where you are. They wont know your exact street address without a judge’s warrant, but they will know the city, state and country of your server. Anonymous proxy servers can hide your actual location so you can send messages freely.

Enjoy Private and Unrestricted Surfing

Suppose you want to visit somebody’s website, but you don’t want them to know you’re around or where you’re from. Or perhaps you want access to a restricted site in work or school. Or maybe you got banned from a forum and you want to join again under a different name. Anonymous proxy servers give you a different IP address, or else they hide the real one, thus letting you bypass the restrictions.

Protection from Spyware, Malware and Snoops

If you think downloading an infected file attachment is the only way to get a virus or Trojan, you’re wrong. You could be just browsing, and then some website installs a malicious script on your computer. Or it could put “cookies" in your browser to track you. The good news is anonymous proxy servers can protect you from that. Before they give you data you’ve requested, these proxies will filter out spyware, scripts, pop-ups, banners, cookies and other internet pests. Result? Safer, hassle-free surfing.

These are some of the reasons why you want to use anonymous proxy servers. Please keep in mind there may be legal implications to your using them. Do not use anonymizers to harass others or engage in criminal activities. People can still report your anonymous proxy and your original IP may still be logged in the server. Use anonymous proxies to protect yourself, your privacy and your computer, and you will see its real benefits.