A proxy server is an intermediary computer that is between the user's computer and the Internet. It can be used to log Internet usage and also to block access to a web site. The firewall at the proxy server blocks some web sites or web pages for various reasons. As a result, you may be unable to download Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or to run some Java applets.

• Act as a firewall and content filter
  A security mechanism deployed by the ISP's or network administrators in an Intranet environment to disable access or filter content requests to certain web sites considered offensive or harmful for the network and users.
• Improve performance
  Caches (stores) web pages accessed by hosts on the network for a certain amount of time. Whenever any host requests the same web page, the proxy server uses the cached information instead of retrieving it from the content provider. This leads to quicker access of the web pages.

Getting Proxy Server Information

• To get proxy server information
• If Java applets are disabled to run on your network
• If you are trying to access a blocked web site