Proxy
| Rank | App | Description | Tags | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
mitmproxy/mitmproxy
|
An interactive TLS-capable intercepting HTTP proxy for penetration testers and software developers. | python websocket security ssl proxy http http2 tls debugging man-in-the-middle mitmproxy | 34287 |
| 2 |
0xERR0R/blocky
|
Fast and lightweight DNS proxy as ad-blocker for local network with many features | self-hosted selfhosted golang ad-blocker adblock adblocker dns dns-over-https dns-server parental-control pihole | 4121 |
| 3 |
sandialabs/wiretap
|
Wiretap is a transparent, VPN-like proxy server that tunnels traffic via WireGuard and requires no special privileges to run. | golang vpn wireguard proxy tunnel infosec scr-2819 snl-cyber-sec | 758 |
In the context of computer networks, a proxy server is an intermediary server that stands between client devices and other servers on the internet. When you make a request through a proxy, your request first goes to the proxy server. The proxy then forwards this request to its intended destination (which can be another proxy or a web server).
The most common use of a proxy is in order to provide Internet access for users within private networks (like an office network) who may not have direct internet access. Other uses include:
Anonymity: Proxies allow the user's IP address to be masked, making it harder to track and profile an individual’s online activities.
Access Control: Organizations use proxies as a method of controlling who can access certain information and services on the internet. This is done through policy enforcement points (PEP).
Security: Proxy servers can be used to filter out malicious traffic, preventing it from reaching internal networks.
Load Balancing: A proxy server can distribute network or application traffic across multiple servers. Load balancers are devices that evenly distribute workloads by shifting processing and connection requests between two or more computers.
Caching: Proxy servers can store copies of frequently-requested resources, like web pages. This allows for faster delivery of these resources when a user or application requires them again.
Content Filtering: Some proxy servers have the ability to block access to certain websites based on policies set by the administrator.
Proxy servers can also be used as anonymizers and circumvention tools, which hide the original IP address of a sender. This is often done in order to protect a user’s identity or bypass geographical restrictions.
In short, a proxy server acts as an intermediary between you (the client) and another computer (the server). It receives requests from clients on behalf of those clients, makes its own request for servers, then returns the servers' response to the clients. This is useful in many scenarios, like speeding up internet browsing by caching popular websites, bypassing geographic restrictions or filtering out unwanted content.