Open Proxies
Many of our users share their Broadband Internet connections between PCs in the home using proxy software. Unfortunately, some types, usable from a customer's internal network and from the Internet facing connection can be exploited to send unsolicited email or used for messageboard postings or anonymous web browsing.
This can lead not only to degradation in the quality of the customers Internet connection but an exploited system may also used in carrying out some form of illegal activity that will only be traceable as far as the exploited proxy server and no further. If any of our customers intend to run some form of proxy software to share their Internet connection we would ask that they read and follow these instructions:
- Ask yourself if you really need to run a proxy to share your Internet connection. There are hardware Broadband routers that will give the same functionality as a software solution while having better security, creating less noise and using less space.
- If you are going to use a software proxy solution read the documentation before installing your proxy of choice.
- Ensure that you are familiar with any security issues that exist with your choice of proxy before you install it.
- Ensure that you have the ability to maintain the security of the proxy once it is running.
- Ensure that you have the ability to resolve any problems with the proxy as soon as they happen.
- Enable logging on the proxy and read the log files on a regular basis.
- Ensure that you have sufficient knowledge to install the proxy in a secure manner. Usually securing a proxy server will involve binding the server to the IP address of your internal, private network.
