What Is A Http Proxy
What are HTTP and the HTTP Proxy? – WatchGuard …
What are HTTP and the HTTP Proxy?
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
is a protocol for sending and displaying files (text, graphic images, sound, video,
and other multimedia files) on the Internet. The HTTP Proxy is a high performance
content filter. It examines Web traffic to identify suspicious content, which
can be a spyware, malformed content, or another type of attack. It can also protect
your Web server from attacks from the external network using protocol anomaly
detection rules to identify and deny suspicious packets.
You can configure the HTTP Proxy to:
Only allow content that matches RFC specifications for Web server and clients
Restrict the content the Firebox allows into your network, based upon fully a qualified domain name, path name, file name or extension as it appears in the URL.
Restrict the content the Firebox allows into your network based upon MIME type.
Block downloads of any unique file type, including client-side executable files like Java and ActiveX, by file header (hexadecimal signature) pattern match.
Examine the HTTP header to make sure it is not from a known source of suspicious content
The HTTP proxy operates between the sending Web server and your receiving Web client. It processes the HTTP protocol line-by-line for any potentially harmful content before sending it to an internal Web client. It also acts as a buffer between your Web server and potentially harmful Web clients by enforcing HTTP RFC compliance and preventing potential buffer overflow attacks.
When you add an HTTP proxy policy to your Firebox configuration, you get access to two proxy actions that are included with the product: an HTTP server ruleset template and an HTTP client ruleset template. You can use these rulesets without changing them or you can use the rulesets as a base for a ruleset to meet the needs of your organization. This module shows you how to customize the rulesets in these two proxy actions.
HTTP-Client
The HTTP-Client proxy action is configured to give comprehensive protection to your network from the content your trusted users download from Web servers. An optional extension to the HTTP-Proxy (WebBlocker) is available to control the categories of Web sites trusted users are allowed to browse to at different times of the day.
HTTP-Server
The HTTP-Server proxy action is configured by default to allow most HTTP connections through to your public Web server, but stop any attempts to put files on your Web server or delete files from your Web server.
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What are HTTP Proxy Settings? – Apple Support Communities
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Question:
I happened to check the wi-fi settings on my iPhone and noticed that it says, at the bottom of the page, “HTTP Proxy, ” and has what appears to be buttons that state “Off, ” “Manual, ” and “Automatic. ”
In layperson’s terms:
1) What is “HTTP Proxy” as it relates to the iPhone?
2) What is the difference between the three settings?
3) Is one setting more “secure” than another?
4) What are the benefits and detriments of choosing one setting over another?
Thanks in advance.
iMac * MacBook Air * iPhone3G
Posted on Sep 8, 2009 7:30 PM
User profile for user:
iMacRDQ
What are HTTP Proxy Settings?
5 Reasons Your Company Should Use Proxy Servers – CMSWire
The average person probably has only a vague understanding of the purpose of a proxy server.
If you’re like most people, you probably associate proxy servers with unblocking Netflix content from other countries or staying a bit more secure on an open WiFi network. The reality, however, is that proxy servers do much more — and are especially vital for businesses.
Proxy servers are a fairly simple intermediary mechanism between a computer with a private IP address and another server on the internet.
A proxy server has its own IP address, which is made public instead. While a rather seemingly insignificant change, the proxy IP address can be used for a number of vital business functions related to everything from security to customer experience.
There are five vital corporate reasons to use proxies that every business leader needs to know about, even if you aren’t involved in the tech side of things.
1. Improve Corporate and Institutional Security
Every company today is worried about hackers. A data breach is costly, both in terms of monetary loss and public image.
A proxy server reduces the chance of a breach. Proxy servers add an additional layer of security between your servers and outside traffic. Because proxy servers can face the internet and relay requests from computers outside the network, they act as a buffer.
While hackers may have access to your proxy, they’ll have trouble reaching the server actually running the web software where your data is stored. You may not be able to fully keep top hackers out with just a proxy IP alone, but you’ll be much less vulnerable.
2. Carry Out Sensitive Tasks Anonymously
Proxies are probably best known for their ability to anonymize web traffic. Unfortunately, many people fail to realize just how important this function is for businesses.
Reporters, whistleblowers and security officers count on the added identity protection offered by proxy servers to protect themselves, sources, their companies, clients and partners.
You can also better protect any current research and development and other company activities.
Any potential spy trying to track web traffic to figure out what your business is developing won’t be able to track your employees as easily if your company always uses a proxy. Any sensitive tasks completed over the internet are more secure when first anonymized through a proxy.
3. Balance Traffic So Your Server Doesn’t Crash
Nothing annoys a customer faster than a company’s website going down when they need it. Proxy servers, cloud data storage and peering improve customer experience by ensuring this doesn’t happen.
Essentially, your website’s data and content is stored across many servers around the world in the cloud, and peering helps your network handle greater traffic. Of course, you can’t ask a customer to try a bunch of ISPs to reach that content.
A proxy server instead is used to create a single web address to serve as the access point. The proxy will also balance the requests to each server so none overloads. All of this works in the background to ensure a seamless customer experience on your website.
4. Control Employee Internet Usage
No company wants employees accessing unsecure or inappropriate websites on company networks. That’s why many internal networks are run on a proxy server.
When the network is accessed through a proxy, network administrators control which devices have access to the network and which sites those devices can visit. You can block undesirable content, as well as any sites you don’t want employees using on company time.
Network administrators can even record what content is being accessed and when for internal purposes. Many security officers use this to monitor for potential illegal activity or security breaches.
5. Faster Speeds and Bandwidth Savings
Due to all the extra work accomplished in the background by proxy servers, most people assume they slow down internet speeds. This isn’t always true.
Proxy servers can easily be used to increase speeds and save bandwidth on a network by compressing traffic, caching files and web pages accessed by multiple users, and stripping ads from websites. This frees up precious bandwidth on busy networks, so your team can access the internet quickly and easily.
Title image by Matthew Wiebe
RJ Prego has focused his career on global data center management, global and regional colocation and network managed services and has a deep understanding of the latest developments in data center, telco, IT services, cloud and CDN.
Frequently Asked Questions about what is a http proxy
Should I set proxy on or off?
Unless you are using an HTTP Proxy (Doubtful), HTTP Proxy should be set to Off.May 24, 2012
What is HTTP proxy for WIFI?
1) HTTP Proxy is basically a webaddress you type in to your companies proxy server so you can access the internet.Sep 8, 2009
Should you use a HTTP proxy?
A proxy server reduces the chance of a breach. … Because proxy servers can face the internet and relay requests from computers outside the network, they act as a buffer. While hackers may have access to your proxy, they’ll have trouble reaching the server actually running the web software where your data is stored.Jun 20, 2016
