What Is the Internet Explorer Web Proxy?

Internet Explorer is a web browser, a tool used to navigate the Internet.

One of the configuration options of Internet Explorer is to set a web proxy, a type of server that stands between the browser and the rest of the Internet, passing information between the two.

Proxy Usage

Proxies can be used to help improve network security. By standing between the computer and other Internet servers, the proxy can scan the data sent between the two for malicious activity. Proxies are also often used to hide information about the user, such as IP address or browser information.

How a Proxy Works

A proxy works by acting as an intermediary between the browser and the Internet. Instead of requesting a page directly from a web server, the browser sends the request to the proxy, which then passes it to the target server. When the target server replies with the requested page, the proxy then passes it back to the browser.

Internet Explorer Proxy Settings

The Internet Explorer proxy settings can be accessed by selecting "Tools," "Internet Options," selecting the "Connections" tab and then clicking the "LAN Settings" button.

References

• Microsoft: How to configure Internet Explorer to use a proxy server