Proxy facts for kids

A proxy is like a stand-in or a representative. It's someone or something that acts on behalf of another. The word "proxy" can mean different things depending on the situation. For example, a proxy can be a computer server, a way of voting, or even how some people get married!

What is a Proxy?

A proxy is essentially an agent or a substitute. Think of it as someone doing something for you when you can't be there yourself, or a system that helps you connect to something else indirectly. This idea of acting "through" someone or something else is at the heart of what a proxy is.

Proxies in Computers

In the world of computers, a proxy is often a special server. This server acts as an intermediary between your computer and other computers on the internet. When you want to visit a website, your request first goes to the proxy server. The proxy server then sends your request to the website and brings the information back to you.

How a Proxy Server Works

Imagine you want to order a pizza. Instead of calling the pizza place directly, you call a friend, and your friend calls the pizza place for you. Your friend is acting as a proxy. A proxy server does something similar for your internet requests. It sits between your device and the internet.

Why Use a Web Proxy?

Web proxies are a type of proxy server. They are often used for several reasons:

• Privacy: A web proxy can help hide your computer's actual internet address (called an IP address) from the websites you visit. This can make your online activity more private.
• Accessing Content: Sometimes, certain websites or online content might be blocked in your area or at your school. A web proxy can help you bypass these restrictions by making it look like you are accessing the internet from a different location.
• Speed: Some proxy servers can store copies of websites you visit often. This is called "caching." If many people use the same proxy and visit the same sites, the proxy can deliver those pages faster because it already has a copy.

Proxies in Voting

A proxy vote happens when one person votes on behalf of another. This is very common in situations where decisions are made by voting, like in companies or organizations.

How Proxy Voting Works

Let's say a company needs to make an important decision, and all the owners need to vote. If an owner cannot attend the meeting, they can give their "proxy" to someone else. This means they give permission for another person to vote for them. The person holding the proxy then casts the vote just as the original owner would have. This ensures that everyone's voice can be heard, even if they are not physically present.

Proxies in Marriage

A proxy marriage is a type of wedding where one or both of the people getting married are not physically present at the ceremony. Instead, they are represented by another person, their "proxy."

When is a Proxy Marriage Used?

Proxy marriages are rare today, but they have been used in the past, especially during wars or when people lived far apart. For example, if a soldier was overseas and wanted to marry their partner, a proxy could stand in for them at the ceremony. The proxy would act on behalf of the absent person, making the vows for them. This allows the marriage to happen even if the couple cannot be in the same place at the same time.