So you’re stuck at work, and Myspace is banned. But you do a quick search, and you find some anonymous proxy servers. You check your back, and then proceed to navigate, just for a quick check.

Big Mistake.

Anonymous Proxy Servers are Insecure

Using a free proxy server is like broadcasting everything you do online to the most scandalous of users. Open proxy servers are mostly run by hackers and blackhats. Although there are a few good people running safe proxy servers, it’s impossible to tell the difference between the two.

A common attack used by hackers is the MITM (man in the middle) attack. Creating and posting “anonymous” proxy servers is the easiest way for them to get “in the middle”. When people use proxy servers, their internet traffic is routed through another server. This server can do any number of nefarious things before the traffic reaches Myspace or Facebook. It can sniff out a username and password, if it is designed to do so.

Encrypt your Traffic Instead

If you must log in to Facebook or Myspace where you’re not supposed to, at the very least, use encryption. There are a number of free software solutions that let you bypass blocked Facebook or Myspace, while keeping your information safe.

The most popular among these is Tor Project. The Tor allows you to install anonymous software on to a USB key and surf the internet securely.

If you want an even higher level of protection, look no further than a DemocraKey. The DemocraKey takes personal privacy to a whole new level, by encrypting even the software itself that runs while browsing banned websites. Because it has integrated anti-virus software, it can also check to make sure no keyloggers are installed on the machine before you start using it to browse. So, if you’re looking for the safest surfing possible, I highly recommend you download and install a DemocraKey.

If you’re still not sure, you can always purchase a DemocraKey kit. These come with 4GB USB keys ready to surf the internet at the highest level of protection.