Many web surfers have passed from a basic "naivete" about Internet dangers, to a better understanding of how easily web hackers can access personal data and damage computers. Hacker scams have become increasingly "intrusive" in using "malware" (software that damages computers) to attack consumers.

One intricate "malware sequence" uses "pop-up boxes" to distract you, sending a "Trojan Horse" (offers help, while causing harm), "spyware" (collects personal data) and a "rootkit" (takes over operating systems) to infect your computer. Before you know it, your computer is disabled.

These "hackers" are very intelligent, using "familiar" names to gain your trust, having set up "loops" to run their programs, when you try to "close" or "uninstall" their software. Once you are hooked, they will attempt to extort money: "Pay us to fix your computer, which we damaged."

Fixing malware infestations can be very complex and time consuming. Many "malware ailments" are "hidden" in the computer's most "critical" sections. Malware repairs can resemble brain surgery - any misstep can cause irreparable damage.

Rather than trying to "repair" multiple malware infestations, a wiser approach is using a web proxy to "prevent" this problem. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

The web proxy is an "identification encryption" service, which can impede hacker attempts to steal personal data. As you surf privately, con artists will be less able to harass you, because the web proxy will hide personal information, such as, your Internet Protocol (IP) address, providing a higher level of security. A web proxy can give you an alias for anonymous surfing.

The web proxy can warn you of dangerous websites, which use "malware" tricks like "phishing" (attempts to acquire personal data by masquerading as a trusted source) and "pharming" (attempts to redirect traffic to bogus websites). Some web proxies can eliminate cookies, spam and other easily infected computer features to increase your security.

There are a number of different web proxy anonymity levels. Higher levels use "cloaked" and "encrypted" techniques - encoding the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and establishing Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Access to provide for safe web surfing. A web proxy is untraceable; use hidden identification to send anonymous e-mails.

Some web proxies block JavaScript and "referrers" (identifies a visitor's origin) to establish secure surfing. A web proxy can unblock websites and bypass filters.

Protect your privacy. Make sure that your web activities cannot be tracked. Use a web proxy so that you can fade into web traffic and not be uniquely identified. Malware cannot attack you, if it cannot find you.