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babaganoosh
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Short answer is that unless the website you're visiting has SSL or TLS enabled, all the data traffic passing between your web browser and that web server COULD be either sniffed or cached by the proxy server, or possibly by any other node in the link (ISP). Hopefully at a minimum, the logon process is secured, even if navigating and downloading from the site isn't. Regarding the issue of the proxy server gleaning information and/or gaining access to your computer, not sure about that. Home security 'best practices' prescribe using anti-virus, anti-spyware and hardware/software firewalls.
When using open public proxies, need to keep this in the back of your head: "Why is proxy open to public in first place?"
Possible reasons ---
- Unintentionally open due to misconfiguration by SysAdmin
- Supported by anti-censorship activitist (individual or organization)
- Info collection or monitoring by host nation security or intell agencies
- Info collection or monitoring by hacking group or individual
- Intentionally open by disgruntled SysAdmin (backdoor)
If your objective is to bypass Internet censoring by local authorities, open public proxies are probably your best option. If you require/desire web surfing anonymity and/or secure e-mail, your best option is probably to subscribe to a pay service. This should provide you all of the above: anti-censorship, anonymity and Internet security. YMMV of course.
Bottom-line: >> Caveat Emptor <<
Sidebar:
Not sure if anyone else has looked in to this, but for shits-n-giggles, I ran a packet analyzer while surfing through BTF website. Interesting finding was that userID and password is passed cleartext via cookie while navigating the site... each and every time a link is clicked, authentication by cookie occurs. Hopefully your BTF userID and password are different than your bank account, e-mail, and computer logon credentials.
Reading:
(1) Does SSL protect you, or is it a condom that is open at both ends?
- http://tinyurl.com/datvl
(2) What is SSL?
- http://www.distinct.com/ssl.asp
(3) Security at Home: Resources (Microsoft site)
- http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/community/default.mspx
(4) Secure Tunnels: VPNs Versus Open Standards
- http://www.wrq.com/products/reflection/sec_primer.html
(5) SSL Primer
- http://whitepapers.zdnet.co.uk/0,39025945,60000397p-39000494q,00.htm
- Publisher's Description: When you use the Internet, the connection between you and any other point can be routed through dozens of independent systems. Through snooping, spoofing and other forms of Internet eavesdropping, unauthorized people can steal credit card numbers, PIN numbers, personal data, and other confidential information. To transfer information privately and securely across the Internet, the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol was developed. This paper examines the SSL protocol and details how CacheFlow Server Accelerators improve the performance and scalability of Web sites by off-loading SSL processing and object delivery from Web servers.
Hope this helps, or did I miss the mark (again) ?
Cheers,
- B -
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 12:25 am on Feb. 16, 2005
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babaganoosh
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Virtualbrowser
- http://www.thevirtualbrowser.com
How it works: Virtualbrowser's server (hosting by FusionXhost) requests the file from an external web server, so your browser never communicates with the server, and thus never transmits any information about yourself. In addition, virtualbrowser filters the content (cookies, scripts, etc) based on the parameters you specify, thus protecting your browsing experience ever more!
.............................................
vBrowseIt (Firefox extension)
- https://addons.update.mozilla.org/
Browse any page with the Virtualbrowser, a free online proxy created to get past school blockers and internet filters.
Version 1.0: Initial Release, basic functionality is in place, although there may be bugs. Released December 24, 2004
Requires: Firefox: 0.7 - 1.0
- http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
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Posted on: 9:31 pm on Mar. 11, 2005
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Brocher
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Baba....
Thanks pal, atleast it's working at the mo' in the "sand pit". How long before the "authorities" block the site is anybody's guess!
Cheers
PS: Got any more to offer?
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 3:29 am on Mar. 12, 2005
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Sealbash
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Baba___;
The information you provided is much appreciated. The web based proxie servers are able to bypass Websense. For now.
You have my thanks.
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Posted on: 9:01 pm on Mar. 13, 2005
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Brocher
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Most of the URLs (apart from thevirtualbrowser) are all blocked to me. I found another that works the same way (I think!) that TVB does so try this one if you're stuck Lads:
http://surfeasy.info/surfeasy
I've used it with Firefox and IE without any plugins.
The "problem" in the sand pit is that all traffic goes through a central checking point so if they block the site then you can't get to first base, tunnelling is not an option.
Cheers
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 12:36 am on Mar. 14, 2005
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babaganoosh
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Speaking of Firefox plugins, the SwitchProxy Tool extension is worth a mention here. I've haven't fully tested the 'anonymous proxy' function yet, but it looks promising. Handy tool in my book, but may have its limitations especially for those stuck in the 'sand pit'.
Download Firefox & Thunderbird Extensions
- https://addons.update.mozilla.org
Download Firefox
- http://www.mozilla.org/products/
Cheers,
- B -
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 3:40 am on Mar. 14, 2005
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Sealbash
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Must applaud the tenacity of the programmers at Websense. Once you have an anonymous proxy that seems to work, they shut it down. Fun killers!!!
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:32 pm on Mar. 14, 2005
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