CGI Proxy / Anonymizer / Web Proxy
This type of proxy-servers is called
differently: CGI proxy, anonymizer, web proxy etc.
Proxy server of this type represents
(from user’s point of view) a usual web-page, very similar to pages of search
engines. But instead of search phrases you should type into an input field the
URL of that site which you want to look at. Then, having pressed the "Submit"
button or "Go", you will get onto page, which URL you have specified to a CGI
proxy. But address of this page (in the address line) from the point of view of
your computer will be another, something like
http://www.cgi-proxy.com/http/www.your-url.com/path/
for example:
http://www.cgi-proxy.com/http/www.yahoo.com/
Using such proxy servers, you can
anonymously surf all over the Internet, without changing settings of your
browser and without using any additional programs.
CGI proxy supports HTTP and (sometimes)
FTP protocols.
Anonymity of CGI Proxy
As for anonymity, CGI proxies are the
same, as the HTTP proxies:
1. Transparent - these proxies are not
anonymous. They, first, let a web server know, that there is used a proxy
server, and, secondly, "give away" an IP address of a client.
2. Anonymous - these proxy servers let a
remote computer (web-server) know, that there is used a proxy, however, they do
not reveal an IP address of a client.
3. Distorting - unlike the previous
type, they transfer an IP address to a remote web-server, however, this address
is a phantom: randomly generated by a proxy-server or any fixed (not your) IP.
So, these proxies distort your IP address from web server’s point of view.
4. High anonymity – they do not send
your IP address to a remote computer. Moreover, they do not inform that there is
used any proxy server! So, a web-server "thinks” that it works directly with a
client.
How to use a free web anonymizer?
For use of a CGI proxy you do not need
to change your browser settings, to install additional programs or to make
something else more complex. It is enough, if one opens a web page of CGI proxy
in a browser, enters a required URL into the address field and press the "Go"
button.
The disadvantages in usage of the CGI
proxies are presence of additional advertising (which adds a CGI proxy itself,
they simply exist at the expense of such advertising), a limited FTP support
(not always supported) and sometimes a CGI proxy do not allow to view pictures.
Some CGI proxy could be installed as a
proxy in a browser, but it is rather an exception than a rule.
CGI Proxy Chaining
Creating a chain from free web
anonymizers (CGI proxy) is a very simple thing. It would be enough in one CGI
proxy to type an address (URL) of another CGI proxy and to press "Go". The same
way it is possible to use 3d, 4th, 5th... proxy-servers. In last proxy of a
chain just type URL of a required site and browse a site you need. That is all!
Thus, it is possible to organize into a
chain any number of CGI proxies.
Connection of various types proxies
into a chain.
CGI proxies could be combined with other
types of proxy servers (HTTP, SOCKS). However, they should be the last ones in
this chain:
You can organize them this way:
SOCKS proxy > > > > HTTP proxy > > > >
CGI proxy
HTTP proxy > > > > CGI proxy
SOCKS proxy > > > > CGI proxy
And you can not do so:
CGI proxy > > > > SOCKS proxy
SOCKS proxy > > > > CGI proxy > > > >
HTTP proxy
CGI proxy > > > > HTTP proxy
What should you do, if there is
already a corporate proxy server?
There is no problem. If you have an
Internet access (you can view web pages), you can use a CGI proxy. You also can
unite several HTTP / SOCKS proxies into a chain and at the end of this chain to
use a CGI proxy. Moreover, you can at the end of this chain create one more
chain - from CGI proxies!
How to check mail in mail programs
(such as Outlook) via CGI proxy?
Alas, with standard way this could be
hardly done.
What additional abilities does a
CGI proxy have?
Unlike other types of proxy servers CGI
proxies have considerably wider abilities as for information filtering.
They can:
- Prohibit execution of active content
(scripts) on a page - JavaScript, etc.
- Prohibit (or to leave only for
itself, without passing to a client) cookie files
- Encrypt URL to which a request is addressed. For example,
your request to the http://www.yahoo.com/ through CGI proxy in an address bar you will see something
like that:
http://www.cgi-proxy.com/abcd104dflsjuywe34sdfispd345klksfdsl
Thus a system administrator viewing
server logs with analysis purposes can not determine what server you have
reached (www.sex.com or www.altavista.com).
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