The Low Down On Socks/Proxy's?????

[Ten Chuck Twice]

Hey Guys and Gals,

Whuuusssuuuup???
Been doing some research and reading concerning the socks and proxy server applications out there, as well as some of the lists, that are a) generated by sites, or as part of the program's updates. How can a noob a=such as myself besure of a couple of concerns considering the true value of their intent, ie, regarding protecting my identity, rather than guiding me into a "cyber trap" ( does this actually occur) where their servers actually get my IP number and use it, for malicious purposes? I understand that their are higher anonymity type servers out there, so called by identifiers, but, for example of of these was said to be a time warner server...but it was categroized as a free public domain server...how sure can one be of the anonymity? Is it by sheer volume or, is it by the actual code, trasnmission of socks 4/5 or other proxy???

As a noob, i am obviously "feeling things out" stil, and would greatly appreciate the highest recomendations of freeware, or other wise the best programs to 1) asssociate to proxy servers socks 4/5 or https, 2) Help insure greater anonymity, you know, form all the pop up's and cookies, and all those other bedevilments of our great internet revolution....

I have some information and have read about Http tunnel, (as well as the wikipedia pages concerning the subjects) but does it include socks capabilities, and how easy is it to use....sure... If i wasn't on dial -up, i would just download everthing and try it, and have my answers from the grace of my won strain...but this forum, being awesomely newly added, and I, as green noob, believe it's an excellent begining to such an important thread... we all like to minimize our risks and threats... any and all guidance, suggetions, information, and heckling will be received with the utmost appreciation, respect and due finger jawing.

10/ 2.... though i love the sound of Ten CHuck...it got something to do with 1's and 0's...lol..Thanks!!!

[DigitalJunkie]

1. Do research first, there are open sources such as Tor, etc.!
2. Use proxy servers outside of your country if you can.
3. Just remember there's NOT 100% secured for annonymity.

[Ten Chuck Twice]

DJ.....

Justice has been served... thanks for the heads up on tor ;)!!!!!
Talk about to the point!!!
My Regard and thanks.... 4.... keeepin' on Learning!!!!
10-2

[Jorge]

check out www.pagebang.com, a free proxy service from Zeropaid Inc.

[zarquon]

For anonymous proxy surfing look no furthur than tor, http://tor.eff.org/ Just please don't even think about running p2p apps through tor unless you're happy with a 5kb downstream. If its for p2p then i'd recommend a paid service like http-tunnel which i have used with great success in the past.