What are the pros\cons of using a Proxy Server?

[compy_500]

i dont reall like to give away my ip-address, so i need to use a proxy, what are the pros/cons of using one?OK yes, i connect to a router then a cable modem, but when i do an ip check it still shows the correct city and i dont want that.

[Arcking]

The Pro is obviously having your IP masked.Cons:-A nefarious proxy host could intercept your data-Download/Upload speeds usually dramatically reduced-Can complicate trouble when your own network is down

[onlyfor7dollar]

are you connected to internet thru modem and router?if yes you don't need any they mask your ip anyway.

[Ovan Maru]

by using one (like my school did with webmarshal) youll not only piss everyone off for blocking even the simplest of sites, but also i find that it slows down your internet speed by about 50% and causes future problems and more of a hassle than it guarintees

[I need help!]

Proxy servers are lifesavers if you need to connect to a website behind a filtered server gateway. However, when it comes to critical data such as login information, there can be a great risk of having your login information stolen because some proxys do forward and log information that has been entered into them. So basically I will break it downPros-Can connect to usually blocked websites (Myspace, ect.)Can anonymously surf the internet so your IP is concealedCons - Possible data mining You may not be as secure as you think, and alot of the scripts proxys use are now being filtered out before they can even load.

[us_devil_24]

cons: SLOWWWWW