Thread: Proxy Firewall increase the security of LAN? How?

I was reading one of those nixcraft article and it says that proxy server add another layer of security. How does a proxy firewall increase the security of my network?

One simple reason is it hides the LAN IP address.. so out side people will not know what type of OS, softwares ver LAN systems are using.. for example if we scan with NMAP it will just give the details of proxy but not lan machines details..

Proxy adds another layer of security from both Internal and External users. You hide internal IPs, and defines ACL, block unwanted sites such as cracking, virus spreading junk and son. You can boost the performance.

1. To keep machines behind it anonymous
2. To speed up access to resources using caching.
3. To apply access policy to network services or content, e.g. to block undesired sites.
4. To log / audit usage, i.e. to provide company employee Internet usage reporting.
5. To scan transmitted content for malware before delivery.
6. To scan outbound content, e.g., for data leak protection.
7. To circumvent regional restrictions.