Many young people are using 'proxy servers' to get round their schools' internet security systems. The free services offer instant access to banned websites, including online games and social networking. Figures suggest the use of proxies has risen sharply in recent years. Security experts are warning that pupils who log on put themselves at risk of cyber crime. . It sounds like an obscure, techy area of computing that only geeks would know about. But when we asked pupils in one secondary school classroom who had heard of proxy servers, every hand went up. These 'secret tunnels' to the internet are a way of life for teenagers across the UK. As schools employ increasingly sophisticated software to stop them accessing 'non-educational' websites, the proxies offer a quick, easy way to bypass those restrictions. . Numerous students evade educational network restrictions via VPNs, endangering themselves with online threats and unsuitable material.. Bypass Internet Restrictions, Proxy Server Risks, Cyber Safety for Students. . Anthony Pell
The U.S. government has dropped -- for now -- a plan to classify the use of "proxy" servers as evidence of sophistication in committing a crime. Proxy servers are computers that disguise the source of Internet traffic. They are commonly used for legitimate purposes, like evading Internet censors and working from home. However, they can also be used to hide from law enforcement. The U.S. Sentencing Commission was considering a change to federal sentencing guidelines that would have increased sentences by about 25 percent for people convicted of crimes in which proxies are used.. The U.S. government has dropped -- for now -- a plan to classify the use of "proxy" servers as evidence of sophistication in committing a crime. Proxy servers are computers that disguise the source of Internet traffic. They are commonly used for legitimate purposes, like evading Internet censors and working from home. However, they can also be used to hide from law enforcement. The link for this article located at Linux Insider is no longer available. . The U.S. government has dropped -- for now -- a plan to classify the use of 'proxy' servers as evide. government, dropped, classify, 'proxy', servers, evide. . Dave Wreski
Get the latest Linux and open source security news straight to your inbox.