PPPPPP RRRRRR OOOOOO X X Y Y P P R R O O X X Y Y PPPPPP RRRRRR O O X Y P R R O O X X Y P R R OOOOOO X X Y 0.0 Intro 1.0 What is a proxy server 1.1 Why use one 1.2 How to find one 1.3 How to configure one in your browser ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0.0 Intro Well, finally I decided to take 15 minutes out of my life and write a paper on proxy servers. I have answered tons of mail,posts etc on how to hide your IP while exploring the Internet . So here it is... some BASIC info on proxies...... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.0 What is a proxy server Proxy Server is a firewall and cache server. It allows and entire network of computers to access the internet(http or ftp)with a single IP. Let's say we have 3 computers in some small network in Malaysia going through a proxy server: 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> PROXY SERVER -> THE WEB SITE Now assume you are at home with an Internet access through your ISP, this is what your connection looks like : Your PC -> Your ISP -> THE WEB SITE Ok, now.... If the proxy server in the network above allows other users to go through it we can to this : 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> PROXY SERVER -> THE WEB SITE | | Your PC -> Your ISP As you can see in the above diagram we can go through that proxy server and hide our real IP ! "THE WEB SITE" will only see the proxies IP of the network you are going through.. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.1 Why use one That was mentioned before, to hide your REAL IP. But, some of the proxies can give out/forward your real IP to the site you are connecting to and do infact log their users.Hmmm, well there is a problem that was discovered while attempting a phf exploit on a site. As it turns out, proxy servers with the Squid Cache forward you real IP upon a request, but to my knowledge some do not log their users. Here are two sites for testing proxies : http://www.tamos.com/bin/proxy.cgi http://kyticr.kuicr.kyoto-u.ac.jp/cgi-bin/phf?Qalias=x%0a/bin/cat%20/etc/passwd If you see your IP in any of the two URL's -> your proxy sucks, get a new one. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.2 How to find one Ez way : Visit wwwboard related to hacking/cracking/warez/phreaking and look at the IP's of the parties that post there and write them down. (many of them will spoof their IP) Ez way2: ask others Harder : Domain Scan for open ports 8080,3128. V Hard : ping host.com:8080 or 3128 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.3 How to configure one in your browser In I.E : View -> Internet Options -> Connection Now type in the IP of the proxy and try connecting to it through port 8080,80,3128 Netscape (from memory): Preferences -> Network -> Proxy tab Same as in I.E ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Any questions/comments/corrections/ -> c1ph3r@hotmail.com