Many people have heard the term proxy server but don't know how it can benefit them. We've all heard of firewalls, and we all know the value of a good firewall. Some of you might even be using a firewall proxy to make life easier. For those of you who are unaware of what a proxy server or firewall proxy is, let me first explain the concept, and then I'll show you how to set one up on Linux.. . .
Many people have heard the term proxy server but don't know how it can benefit them. We've all heard of firewalls, and we all know the value of a good firewall. Some of you might even be using a firewall proxy to make life easier. For those of you who are unaware of what a proxy server or firewall proxy is, let me first explain the concept, and then I'll show you how to set one up on Linux.

A proxy server is a program that accepts requests from a client, such as a Web browser or FTP client, and forwards the request to the appropriate Internet server. It's transparent to the end user beyond the initial setup of the proxy. This method is often used when a number of computers sit physically behind another computer, which is in turn connected to the Internet. This configuration allows all of the computers simultaneous access to the Internet through one specific computer, typically the firewall or proxy server.

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