Proxies

I think proxies are some kind of barrier between your computer and the internet connection.

I'm not sure how exactly proxies work, or why someone would use them.

http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/proxy-server
http://whatismyipaddress.com/proxy-server
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/c/cache.htm

I learned what a proxy is

• A proxy is a computer that offers a computer network service to allow clients to make indirect network connections to other network service

I learned that there are different types of proxies, including:

• Transparent Proxy

This type of proxy server lets itself be known as a proxy server, and makes the original IP address available through the http headers. This type of proxy is known for its ability to cache websites, as opposed to providing anonymity for its users.

• Anonymous Proxy

This type of proxy server identifies itself as a proxy server, but does not make the original IP address available. This type of proxy server is detectable, but still provides anonymity for its users

• Distorting Proxy

This type of proxy server identifies itself as a proxy server, but make an incorrect original IP address available through the http headers.

• High Anonymity Proxy

This type of proxy server does not identify itself as a proxy server and does not make available the original IP address.

My research on what a proxy was made it apparent that I didn't know what a cache was, and it seemed important to know what this was to further my research on proxies.

• I found out that a cache is a piece of memory to open up things without having to download them again, instead making the computer "remember" how it was. 

This relates to my life because where I used to live the company had a proxy on all the internet in our compound, but I wasn't exactly sure what it was, until now.

I still don't understand how the IP address address part of it works, mostly because I'm not sure what an IP address is.