Privoxy

Privoxy, developed by The Privoxy team, is a powerful Internet & Network tool designed to enhance online privacy and control web content. The latest version of this program is 3.0.34, with program files named privoxy.exe, and A0092817.exe. Compatible with a broad range of operating systems, including Windows XP, XP Professional, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11, this HTTP proxy is a versatile choice for users who prioritize privacy and control while browsing the web.

Privoxy operates as a non-caching web proxy, which means it sits as a 'layer' between your web browser and the wider Internet. Rather than routing your traffic directly through the Internet provider, Privoxy sends your activities through a proxy server, enabling anonymous web browsing. Its filtering capabilities are advanced, allowing users to modify web page data and HTTP headers, control access, and remove ads and other unwanted Internet content. This makes it an excellent tool not only for individual use but also for multi-user networks.

One of the highlights of Privoxy is its highly flexible configuration. Users can customize it to suit their specific needs, whether for a stand-alone system or a network servicing multiple users. The program belongs to the Network Tools subcategory, recognizing its specialized role in managing and optimizing network traffic.

While Privoxy can significantly enhance privacy by hiding browsing activities from third parties, users should note that as a proxy server, it introduces an additional step in routing web traffic. This can result in a slight decrease in browsing speed, which might be more noticeable on data-heavy sites like YouTube. However, for text-heavy sites such as Wikipedia, the impact is minimal.

Despite the potential speed trade-off, Privoxy's robust features make it a strong contender for those needing a simple yet effective solution for web privacy and content control. Its setup process does require some time and effort, even with the quickstart guide provided by the developers, but the end result is a highly customizable and powerful proxy server.

Other versions of Privoxy, particularly version 3.0, are also available, although version 3.0.34 includes the latest updates and improvements. Those interested in the program's capabilities can easily find and download it for free, making it an accessible option for many users.

Pros:

• Advanced filtering capabilities for privacy and content control
• Highly customizable for both individual and multi-user network use
• Free download available
• Effective for anonymizing web browsing

Cons:

• Slightly decreases browsing speed, especially on data-heavy sites
• Requires some time and effort to set up

Privoxy offers a thoughtful balance of privacy, control, and flexibility, making it an advantageous network tool for those who value these features.

It is not possible to confirm if there is a free download for this software available on the developer's website. We recommend checking the downloaded files with any free antivirus.

You may want to check out more software, such as Hamachi, Spiceworks or Bandwidth Monitor, which might be related to Privoxy.