Information on proxy servers, installation, and use in the python programming language.

proxy_server_python.txt

Author: Aaron Phalen | Twitter: @aaron_phalen | Email: [email protected]

Understading Proxy Servers With Examples in Python
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Summary:
  In this succinct gist, a theory behind the workings, types, and configuration of a
  proxy server will be discussed.  Additionally, types of proxies, basic legality, and 
  purpose of proxy use will be touched upon. Basic examples will show utilizing a proxy
  for http requests in the python programming language.
    
What Is A Proxy Server?:
  In layman terms, a proxy is the use of a network to conceal the original 
  destination of a network request.  More frequently this requests is
  an http request, which is the most common way to request data from a website.
  
Types Of Proxies:
    1) Transparent Proxy - A proxy that identifies itself with the server as a proxy and does not 
       conceal the original ip address of the network request.  Instead, the ip address is attached
       to the header of the request, which is useful for caching websites or less frequently 
       avoiding ip bans.  When you think of a transparent proxy, think about the request being
       transparent in how it communicates and identifies itself with the server.
    2) Anonymous Proxy - A proxy that indentifies itself with the server as a proxy and conceals
       the orignal ip address of the request with reasonable success.
    3) Distorting Proxy - A proxy that identifies itself with the server as a proxy, however
       makes an incorrect original network ip address available in request headers.
    4) High Anonymity Proxy - A proxy server that does not identify with the server as a proxy,
                              and does not make available the original ip address.
                              
Proxy Risks:  Anyone looking to use a proxy server, needs to consider what information they will
              be passing through the proxy, along with considering a reputation of a proxy server
              company.  An unknown proxy server company (run by crooks, hackers, whomever) coupled
              with exposed unencrypted data during transporation, will jeopardize your data and
              web security.