Disadvantages of using a proxy.

[Blacksheep]

Disadvantages of using a proxy IMHO:

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?

[johnny]

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 :-)