SOCKS Proxy Checker

CNET Editors' review

by: CNET Staff on February 27, 2009

Anonymity-craving Web surfers are familiar with the ups and downs of proxy servers, which can help protect a surfer's identity but are notoriously unreliable.

This tiny program runs through lists of proxy servers published on Web pages or saved in text files, and checks them to make sure they're operating. It has the handy ability to extract proxy addresses from lists on Web pages, but unfortunately the developer hasn't included a feature that would automatically check known online-proxy lists; users instead must go to these sites themselves, save the lists, and run the check.

The software doesn't require any installation; users simply have to unzip it into a folder and proceed. A clear help file and a list of sites where proxy addresses can be found are included. We think a few extra features would make this even handier, but even as it is, this little tool could definitely be helpful for frequent proxy hunters.