Are there any risks running a web proxy website?

 I have had this idea for some time now. And I have been thinking, are there any risks running a web proxy website? I am going to be getting 660GB of bandwidth per month when I colocate my server. I wouldnt mind blowing off some bandwith and maybe running google adsense and some text links. If I could get the website to make $20 to $30 per month that would be perfect.

My only thinking is what are people looking at if they want to hide their ip address. I do not want to get into any trouble for something that someone else has done. Anyone have any comments?

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I really can't see the client's prospects in this project.

On the other hand this project could have impacts on the server's load, because except the bandwidth, you should also have in mind the extra processes that will server these pages.

Can you give some more info on this project? I suppose it would be easier to help you this way

Well I found 2 scripts that can power the website. I am not to sure on how much of a load it will put on the server. I have a decent server its a P4 3.0GHZ 64BIT HT, 2GB of ram, x2 80GB SATA 150 hard drives, hardware Raid 1. And because my forum is brand new I have no server load. I would also be linking to my forum from the proxy website.


Here are the scripts.
PHP Proxy - http://freshmeat.net/projects/phpproxy/
CGI Proxy - http://www.jmarshall.com/tools/cgiproxy/

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Sounds interesting, but still I can't imagine why someone could use this service.

Sorry that I am a bit negative on this, but I really want to help you

 Well you could use it at work or school if they filter out websites like www.myspace.com . You could use the proxy service to get to that website. 

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Well you could use it at work or school if they filter out websites like www.myspace.com . You could use the proxy service to get to that website. 

I see. Now I have it clear in my mind.

Your server is ok for this kind of work, but of course you should have a good port if you want to serve pages good, as this process might be bandwidth consuming.

sounds good. I have wanted to start a proxy for a while now... especially since ALL the kids at school use them to get to Myspace, and yes, porn. Anyway, i am also interested in this aswell. Please if you learn anything dealing with risks/problems caused brought up because of running a proxy, do tell .

Luis

PS. The Proxy is going to be an "extra" on my site. I am not going to center on it much. My site will be dealing with Teen Interests like, Music, Movies, Electronics, TV, and Teen Issues so I am guessing some teens would like to get around Parental Controls and Firewalls .

I don't know, I think running a proxy will invite scammers to do their illegal activities thru your site...

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I've started a proxy site here (just to check this type of site) and I can say that the code is optimal.

So you don't really have to worry about security, but propably you should worry about bandwidth.

yeah these are good to use at places like schools where certain sites are blocked, but most of the places that have these blocks also specifcally block known proxy site.. and another thing, this can be dangerous if the person using your site use it in the wrong way or abuse it and ur site gets shut down cus ur site url is the IP they will be using.. basically ur protecting the user, not yourself.

yeah I see your point... There are so many proxys out there. Why would someone with wrong intesions go to my teen related website. Well I will run the proxy soon.

I bet you use up a lot of bandwidth.

There are always risks. They've been mentioned already, though.

~Crystal

 

There are always risks. They've been mentioned already, though.

~Crystal

then whats the point of your post

anyway,well ill try out the proxy for a while, if it does consume all of my resources, then ill reconsider.

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As there are some days passed from the launch of my proxy I will update this thread a little.

The first problem is the one I predicted, which is the bandwidth. Example : 50 visitors -> 20 mb bandwidth. I know that this is not too much but happens when the site gets some real traffic?

Another issue and for me is the most serious is that there are thousands of proxy sites, and maybe I am too idiot that I haven't made a good research before starting my own. So I suppose it is ok to have a proxy site (as it requires just a few minutes of work) but you should not expecting much from it.

I'm not, Expencting much that is.

It's just a little "extra".

There are always risks. They've been mentioned already, though.

~Crystal

then whats the point of your post

It answers the question.

~Crystal

anyway,well ill try out the proxy for a while, if it does consume all of my resources, then ill reconsider.

okay. well anything new Nik?

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No nothing new. If I have something new I will update the thread

ok. just checkin.

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