A proxy server is a bridge between a client and a server. Proxy servers are used to send out information between the two.

Usage
Proxy servers can be used to keep rise the speed of network traffic and file transfers.

Filtering
Filtering permits a proxy server to block requests from unwanted systems.

Anonymous Browsing
A common use of a proxy server is its capacity to browse the Internet incognito. This is important if a user wants to hide their IP address.

Security
Proxy servers can also be used to scan for malicious software before it comes the user's machine.

Proxy Types
More specific types of proxy contain "caching proxy," "Web proxy" and "Content-filtering web proxy."