- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
- Date added: January 31, 2008
- Total Downloads: 9,539
- Downloads last week: 79
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- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 4 votes
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CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
A proxy is only as good as its filter set, so the fact that Privoxy hasn't updated since 2004 should not be taken lightly. The interface is primarily text files, which makes it easy for advanced users to update the filters. Novice users will appreciate that this utility is easy to install, but will dislike that it isn't easy to configure. There really isn't a help file. The configuration file does mention how to enable the proxy in your browsers, but most users would miss the required information. Privoxy only works for browsers that can use a proxy, so don't expect any help with your instant messenger programs.
Though the filter is more than two years old, it still blocks many types of pop-ups and pop-unders. Unfortunately, it isn't easy to set to ignore the pop-ups you want to allow. We did like the blocked pages log that Privoxy displays, making it easy to track pop-up URLs. However, most novice users would find that it shows information they simply don't need. All that said, this freeware is useful for those users advanced enough to add to the filter, but everyone else would prefer a proxy that's easier to configure.
Publisher's description
From The Privoxy Project :Privoxy is a Web proxy with advanced filtering capabilities for protecting privacy, filtering Web page content, managing cookies, controlling access, and removing ads, banners, pop-ups, and other obnoxious Internet junk. Privoxy has a very flexible configuration and can be customized to suit individual needs and tastes. Privoxy has application for both stand-alone systems and multi-user networks. It is based on Internet Junkbuster. Version 3.0.8 includes unspecified updates.
What's new in this version:
Version 3.0.8 includes unspecified updates.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 0 stars Not yet available
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This software version | All versions -
Version: Privoxy 3.0.8
Pros: It is everything a $75+ commercial proxy is - and everything it isn't. I'm not a privacy freak so I'm not intimate about the other proxies out there and what they have to offer, but I do know that none have had as much development as Privoxy did. It does not have have a GUI interface per se (all configuration is done through text files) except for its traffic monitor, but that also means you are free to have full control of the program and tweak it in more ways than what a GUI would offer. But this also means it easily intimidates regular users (see cons)
Privoxy isn't just a proxy - by default, it also filters malicious scripts through heuristics, a web debugger (I haven't played around with it yet), and from the looks of it a content blocker.
Open source software will always be better than software produced for financial gain, and Privoxy is Exhibit A.
Cons: Unfortunately, it is not user friendly since it won't magically do everything for you. If your browser supports proxy connections, and you see the little blue Privoxy icon in the system tray, then you need to do some typing to complete the process:
(These steps assume Privoxy is running and listening on its default port, 8118)
In Firefox, head to Tools->Options...->Advanced->Network->Settings->Change it to Manual Proxy Configuration, then put "localhost" as the HTTP proxy and "8118" as the HTTP proxy port. You don't need to fill in anything else.
In IE, go to Tools->Internet Options->Connections->LAN Settings->Check the 'Use a proxy server for your LAN' and fill in "localhost" for the address and "8118" for the port. Again, everything else is optional.
In Opera, go to Tools->Preferences->Advanced->Network->Proxy Servers->Check HTTP and fill in "localhost", and "8118" for its port. Check 'Enable HTTP 1.1 for proxy' while you are at it.
Visit a website and if all went well, there should be an entry in the monitor. I hope this helps.
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