CNET Editors' review
Rarely do you find a freeware browser privacy tool this effective, but novices should steer clear. Proxomitron's default interface includes one of the ugliest texture sets we've seen, but it's simple to disable. The dialog box is small but tab rich, the settings are too numerous to list. You better know HTTP settings, Web header codes, proxy types, encoding, MIME, and dozens of other settings and choices. With this application, it is easier to break your browser than improve it.
However, advanced users with a taste for improved browser control and stronger privacy settings will find this freeware delicious. Easily filter almost any header information both into and out of your browser. Control data entering your browser from any Web site. With a few option clicks, stop select banners from loading, stop JavaScript, stop Flash, and stop many other typical Web site features. Configuration is not for the squeamish. There is a lot to do, but fortunately, Proxomitron's default settings will fit most users. You can easily save configurations and load settings from other users.
Aside from the incredibly unattractive background, we found nothing we disliked about this tool. Most users will find this utility a snap to install and enable in their browser. Advanced users will enjoy the time spent tweaking settings to their satisfaction. Everyone who uses this freeware will be happy with the results.
Publisher's Description
From Proxomitron.Info:
Proxomitron is highly flexible, user-configurable, small but very powerful, local HTTP Web-filtering proxy. It allows you to get rid of many common annoyances as simple as clicking on one of the filtering rules included with the program. But best of all, the Proxomitron's rules aren't 'hard-coded' - you can look at them, modify them, or even write entirely new ones. The Proxomitron allows you to control the normally hidden HTTP header messages that pass between your browser and the outside world as well. See exactly what your Web browser has to say, then have it tell the world only what you want. Finally, Proxomitron allows you to selectively disable specific JavaScript commands while leaving the rest working. It's even possible to redefine a command's function entirely.
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All versions:
3.6 starsout of 5 votes
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Current version:
3.6 starsout of 5 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-4 of 4
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"EXCELLENT!"
Version: Proxomitron 4.5
Pros
This program has improved my web experience dramatically. This program increases & explains security, ad-blocking and phishing controls in ways that some of the best software hasn't been able to do - and it does it in real-time rather than after the fact!
Cons
This is an almost entirely do-it-yourself program that requires you to learn how it works in order that it works.
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"thank"
Version: Proxomitron 4.5
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"Two years later, and still the best in its class."
Version: Proxomitron 4.5
Pros
This program is a favorite among power-users, a control-freak's dream machine, and a tweaker's idea of heaven. Or, you could just set it and forget it. How you use it is up to you.
Proxomitron is not simply an ad blocker; it's a fully customizable local web-filtering proxy. (In fact, if ad-blocking is all you want, there are plenty of programs or browser extensions out there you might like better.) Of course, Proxomitron IS an excellent tool for ad-blocking, but that's just the tip of the iceburg. Again, HOW you use it is up to you.
What it does is set between the browser and the Internet, and (depending on the filters you've installed, or written yourself, and have activated in your configuration) it adds, deletes, or modifies incoming and outgoing headers, it adds, deletes, and modifies webpages, external stylesheets, scripts, and more -- or, it does nothing at all. Dramatic changes here, subtle changes there...being selective is not a problem. Rewrite the web YOUR way.
Still finding it a bit hard to grok? Install Proxomitron. Hop over to the Prox-List group at Yahoo Groups, download the YG.zip from the files, and add it to your config. Then go back and explore your favorite group. Then you'll understand.
Cons
Generally speaking, not recommended for noobs -- although there are a good number of support forums, posted filters, and some rather excellent full configurations (like Grypen's) available if you'd like to take it for a spin. (Power users might try sinking their teeth into Sidki's.)
Granted, the user interface is old-style, but there are user-interface "patches" available on the web as well, to upgrade Proxomitron's appearance. (And these types of distribution patches had the author's approval, too.)
The certificate for use with secure connections included with the program is outdated. A current one can be downloaded from the Proxomitron.Info website, along with the latest SSL dlls, if the user is planning to filter https as well. (Noobs, please remember web filtering is not recommended for online banking and other critical transactions. ;)
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"Development dead, but detection lists are still updated."
Version: Proxomitron 4.5
Pros
It is sort of like a firewall for advertisements. It blocks access to advertisement servers.
It doesn't "just" use a predefined set of ad words you would find in a page source. It has a known list of actual filter targets.
The ad list is still updated by a select few on the web.
It is free :).
Cons
Its very old and hasn't been updated for a few years. Development is 100% dead.
The interface is complete junk...95/98/ME look.
I think that AdMuncher is still the best on the market.
