How can I protect my information (passwords) while using a proxy/VPN?

[sendo7]

At the school I live in various sites are blocked so I need to use a proxy to access them. Is there any way that someone could steal my password or something while I use one?

Also, let's say that I use a proxy in one web browser (let's say Opera) to view a blocked site, but then use a different browser (Firefox) with my normal IP, would I be able to use Firefox with no worries if I need to check something like my bank account? Basically, can you restrict them to one program so you can use personal information on one and normal browsing on the other, or would there still be possible security issues? I'm new to this idea so sorry if that made no sense.

 

[eibgrad]

It gets complicated, unfortunately.

A proxy is just a generic term. It's a device/software that's used to filter content, get around a firewall, redirect urls, etc. Some offer encryption, some don’t. It just depends on what it’s trying to accomplish. You can think of a VPN as a “special case”, a proxy that always uses encryption, although rarely offer others services (e.g., content filtering). A VPN just creates an encrypted tunnel between two endpoints and over which you can safely pass your traffic, free from eavesdropping.

But proxies are not a pancea. Even when encryption is supported, at the other end of that proxy the data MUST be decrypted before it can be passed on to its final destination. So even though eavesdropping is prevented between your machine and the proxy, you are implicitly trusting whoever is at the other end of that proxy!

IOW, all the proxy does (at least one that supports encryption) is “shift” the area of potential vulnerability to somewhere else. In some cases that’s sufficient and perfectly reasonable because you’re dealing w/ a proxy you can trust (e.g., the VPN server at your place of business, or your own back at home). But if you’re using a commercial VPN service, say StrongVPN.com, you’re simply taking it on “faith” they can be trusted. Whether such faith is warranted, you have to decide.

So the way to protect yourself is to either use proxies you know can be trusted, and/or secure protocols (e.g., http (SSL)). That’s why it’s usually quite safe to engage in online banking, proxy or no proxy, because your data is already encrypted before ever enters the proxy, and remains encrypted when it exits the proxy. So if you do your online banking over a proxy which supports encryption, and you’re using https (SSL), you’re actually encrypted TWICE! The only one who can ultimately decrypt it (in this example) is the bank!

 

[Technode23]

Hi,

If your looking for privacy and secured, i would suggest to use VPN service. which will encrypt your data and give secured internet access also provides full internet access without any block to sites and make you anonymous to stay from stealing your valuable data. there are lot's VPN services out there on cloud. check this www.chameleonvpn.com worth to the cost.

 

[bill001g]

Hi,

If your looking for privacy and secured, i would suggest to use VPN service. which will encrypt your data and give secured internet access also provides full internet access without any block to sites and make you anonymous to stay from stealing your valuable data. there are lot's VPN services out there on cloud. check this www.chameleonvpn.com worth to the cost.

You need to avoid digging up old posts to add nothing new. The previous answer said the same thing BUT you seem to not read the most important part.

Why should I trust this chameleonvpn to not steal my data. Sure the data is encypted between me and this site. But how do I really know that chameleonvpn is not set up to take my data. How do I know that you are not a troll poster whose only purpose is to bait someone into using your site.

 

[Clifford_Raleigh]

So many people use proxy to secure their Information so if don't worry about it. If you want to specific proxy for a browser then i suggest you to use inline proxy websites.