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[b]Disadvantages of using a proxy IMHO:[/b]
A] If you use a firewall to block IPs, those IPs will not be blocked when using proxy.
B] If you use a packet sniffer to monitor packet traffic of your PC, proxy makes this task more difficult since all traffic flows through proxy IP.
C] Proxy can log all your surfing IPs.
D] Proxy can read your traffic unless, maybe, you have a SSL tunneling connection (https} or are using other encryption.
E] Proxies can be operated by government spy agencies.
Who do you trust?
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C&D] They can, but will they?
*. They have to know you're there.
2. They have to speak your language or the language of the sites you visit.
*) They have to care enough to go to the trouble
4) This is very difficult for them if you have a dynamic IP (every time you log on you're a 'different' person as far as they know.
5) You'd have to move a lot of data to even come to their attention.
E] Those neatly provided for you on websites, absolutely.
Of course these are just one dude's wild-eyed, uninformed opinions :-)
