# Confused by proxy servers

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confused-by-proxy-servers/263193>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 5, 2004, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confused-by-proxy-servers/263193 "2004-09-05T07:07:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![altiod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@altiod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/altiod)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2004, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confused-by-proxy-servers/263193/1 "2004-09-05T07:07:04Z")

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I’ve just spent about an hour on google\* and I am more confused than enlightened at this point…

I am trying to use a proxy server for an https address\*\*. Usually, I just use [megaproxy.com](http://megaproxy.com), plug the address in and that’s all there is to it. It will not allow me to use the service free with an https address. After my google adventure I realize I know nothing about proxy servers.

Now I have many questions. Some sites had lists of ip addresses, but how would I use those addresses? I also saw socks. What is a sock? Is it legal? How is it different from a proxy? (If it is not legal, please do not give instructions on how to use one.)

Does anybody know of a free proxy server for https addresses? How about an inexpensive one?

Thanks in advance for a quick, “Proxies for Dummies”

\*I just couldn’t help but thinking about this [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=274430).

\*\*long, boring story why I am doing this, no porn, sorry.

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**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2004, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confused-by-proxy-servers/263193/2 "2004-09-05T07:36:11Z")

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**https** indicates that a secure link is made between your computer and the other end. Looking at [www.megaproxy.com](http://www.megaproxy.com), it looks like that that’s a chargable extra.

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**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confused-by-proxy-servers/263193/3 "2004-09-06T16:42:56Z")

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if you want to use a free proxy server, in internet preferences under IE (I am using a mac, IE) there should be a form for entering the proxy servers address. Note that the lists of free proxies are often out of date quickly so don’t expect to hit a working proxie straight away.

I am not sure whether they work for https but worth a try

SOCKS is an application/communication protocol that can be used as a firewall or IP router. I am no expert, but it acts to insulate one part of your network from the outside world. However, it can also be used as a proxy server for outside requests if it is set up that way