Keeping high anonymity on the web is really difficult these days but thanks to numeric Internet proxies we can keep ourselves secure and safe on the Internet for as long as we want. Also if your Internet Service Provider has blocked any sites like Orkut or MySpace you can bypass the firewall using proxy servers.

Use of Proxy Servers

Proxy Servers are in the format xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:xxx where xxx is any numeric digit. They are in the form of an IP with a Port. Almost all browsers e.g Firefox or IE allow you to surf the Internet using proxy servers. Some of the wide uses of proxy servers are:

• Surf the Internet anonymously
• Browse the web safe and secure
• Keep your online Identity hidden and secret
• Bypass your ISP firewall to access blocked websites
• Hop over your local or wireless network restrictions
• Use Orkut MySpace or Hi5 etc at your school or work

Where To Find Proxy Servers

Though hunting for new fresh proxy servers is not a big deal but most of the proxy list providers online do not refine the proxies and most of the proxies are either dead, transparent, open or insecure.

Below is a list of the most reliable proxy server list providers online:

1. Fresh Anonymous Proxy List
2. Fresh Proxy List
3. Proxy List
4. Free Public Proxy Servers
5. Public Proxy Servers
6. Anonymity Checker
7. Xroxy
8. Online Checker
9. Proxz
10. Samair Proxy List

Here are some Free softwares that will help you hunt and fetch free proxy servers:

1. Proxy Server List Hunter
2. Proxy Bag
3. Free Proxyway
4. Proxy Finder

Using Proxy Server with Browsers

Now that you have your proxy server list. To use it with Firefox follow the trail:

Tools --> Options --> Advanced --> Network --> Settings

Select 'Manual Proxy Configuration' and enter the proxy server you would like to use along with its port.

For Internet Explorer:

Tools --> Internet Options --> Connections --> Lan Settings

Check 'Use a Proxy Server for Your LAN' and enter the address and port of your proxy server.