Proxies

The topic I chose to investigate today is Proxies. I have no idea what this is, I chose it because it sounded cool and interesting.
What is it?
Is it helpful?
What is it used for?

Useful Links:
This link is to get to know what and how it works a Proxy Server:
http://www.whatismyip.com/hide-my-ip/what-is-a-proxy/
This Link is to find out how to install a Proxy server depending on your software:
http://whatismyipaddress.com/using-proxies
This link helped me understand more about my researched topic:
http://www.brighthub.com/computing/smb-security/articles/64398.aspx
This link is to see how the server works, its process:
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/proxy-server
This Link is to know about more than the four most common types of proxies:
http://www.soyouwanna.com/types-proxy-servers-9727.html

Things Learned:

• A proxy is another computer which functions as a hub through which internet requests are processed. 
• It is used to filter web content.
• You can be anon while using the proxy server and navigate on internet.
• You can bring down the parental block on the computer. 
• Proxies provide you with more privacy and security while navigating internet. 
• Proxy uses anon addresses for your computer world wide, without letting anyone see your actual home address. 
• Four most common  types of Proxy Servers: Transparent Proxy, Anonymous Proxy, Distorting Proxy and High Anonymity Proxy. 
• It is mainly used to control the use of the internet on your networked computers. 
• Proxy will identify you most used webpages and improve the sites response time. 
• New versions of Proxy servers are installed. 
• Transparent Proxy is the biggest/largest type of proxy, it is used for large amount of clients using the network. 
• There's more than only four types of Proxies such as: Reverse, Caching, Web, Forced, Open and Anonymizing.

This topic is really interesting, because nowadays a lot of hacking is going on. Where people can get into your computer and websites and mess stuff around. Proxy is a way to secure your stuff without anyone messing around. More privacy occurs, and I love to have privacy, I hate it when others (strangers) get with my things and mix them up. It's a way to be secure of your content and own health. 

Final Question:

Can you actually see the home IP address if you don't have a Proxy Server installed on all your internet networks and computers?