FreeProxy

Pros

• Users can add IP addresses to the proxy
• Ability to add custom user names
• Easy to block unwanted IP addresses
• Track outside connections and store them in a log
• Uses Basic and Digest authentication or a Windows Domain
• Ability to limit user access based on a calendar schedule

Cons

• No help file
• The user interface is a bit complicated
• Knowledge of protocols is helpful, especially for email access

FreeProxy was developed in the late 90's to enable users to share an Internet connection through a single computer. It has since evolved to offer many other Internet services too. The software is available as Freeware for Windows based platforms only.

Automate Internet Access

While it works well with broadband, the Demand Dial feature makes life a little easier for dial up users as well by detecting when you want to go online and dialing the server without going through extra steps to connect to the Internet. Users can also set a schedule to go online with Auto-Dial if they only use the Internet during certain times of the day.

Better Security

For users who want to block access to undesirable websites, there is a feature that allows you to filter access to certain IP addresses, hosts and URLs using a Ban list. This feature will allow the administrator to block access to time wasters at the workplace and access to adult sites for parents of small children and will increase security by blocking access to malicious sites containing malware and viruses. Access to the network can also be secured with a user id and password that can be personalized to individual users and groups.

No Network Expert Needed

One of the best advantages of this software is that the proxy can be set up without extensive knowledge of server configuration, but it will still be best if users understand the basic difference between HTTP, Telnet, FTP, POP and SMTP Socks and NNTP, which are all options supported by the program. Users also have the option to select the type of client port they want and set their own IP address.

The user interface could be a bit more intuitive, but this is still a very popular program even for the less advanced. It is a top-ranked network administration program on several sites and has had more than 500,000 verified downloads.

Pros

• Users can add IP addresses to the proxy
• Ability to add custom user names
• Easy to block unwanted IP addresses
• Track outside connections and store them in a log
• Uses Basic and Digest authentication or a Windows Domain
• Ability to limit user access based on a calendar schedule

Cons

• No help file
• The user interface is a bit complicated
• Knowledge of protocols is helpful, especially for email access